Objective To summarize and analyze the clinical outcomes and experiences of continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) in patients with acute renal insufficiency after heart transplantation. Methods There were 39 patients received orthotopic heart transplantation from September 2007 to September 2008 in Fu Wai hospital. Seven cases required the use of PRISMA CRRT machine (Gambro Healthcare,Inc.) because of acute renal insufficiency after heart transplantation, and received continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration(CVVHDF) treatment via M100 blood filter (hemofilters). Activated coagulation time (ACT) was maintained in 160200 s. Results Six survivals with New York Heart Association (NYHA)Ⅰdischarged ，1 case died of multiple system organ failure (MSOF) and severe infection. The time of CRRT was 48658 h, with an average of 252 h. Seven patients were oliguric or anuric during CRRT, but hemodynamics and internal environment were stable. After stopping CRRT, the creatinine level rose to 267.1±68.5 μmol/L， then the creatinine level decreased to normal range with urine increasing gradually. Postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 56.5±19.0 ml/min， and there was no statistical significance compared with preoperative GFR（Pgt;0.05）. Six survivals were followed up for 513(9.7±3.8)months，and their creatinine level was in normal range(90.6±26.7 μmol/L). There was no statistical significance compared with the creatinine level at discharge (83.2±26.5 μmol/L, Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion The prognostic outcomes of patients with acute renal insufficiency after heart ransplantation are excellent after using CRRT. No significant renal dysfunction is found.
Allogeneic mouse model of peritoneal heart transplant is a microscopic surgery on small animal with complex techniques. For a beginner, a learning curve of this surgical technique has to be experienced. The learning curve contains three stages:(1) to be familiar with the local anatomy of either donor or recipient mouse; (2) to be capable of collecting donor heart and well preparing the major peritoneal vessels of recipient; (3) to be skillful in the anastomosis of major vessels. The bottleneck of the learning curve is the valid skill of vascular anastomosis. The stepwise essentials are to "understand, be familiar, be accurate, and be quick" in the learning curve.
Objective To analyze the relation between preoperative pulmonary artery pressure(PAP) and postoperative complications in heart transplant patients, and summarize the experience of perioperative management of pulmonary hypertension (PH), to facilitate the early period heart function recovery of postoperative heart transplant patients. Methods A total of 125 orthotopic heart transplant patients were divided into two groups according to preoperative pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(PASP) and pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR), pulmonary [CM(1583mm]hypertension group (n=56): preoperativePASPgt;50 mm Hg or PVRgt;5 Wood·U; control group (n=69): preoperative PASP≤50 mmHg and PVR≤5 Wood·U. Hemodynamics index including preoperative cardiac index (CI)，preoperative and postoperative PVR and PAP were collected by SwanGanz catheter and compared. The extent of postoperative tricuspid regurgitation was evaluated by echocardiography. Postoperative pulmonary hypertension was treated by diuresis，nitrogen oxide inhaling，nitroglycerin and prostacyclin infusion, continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT)and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO). Results All patients survived except one patient in pulmonary hypertension group died of multiorgan failure and severe infection postoperatively in hospital. Acute right ventricular failure occurred postoperatively in 23 patients, 10 patients used ECMO support, 10 patients with acute renal insufficiency were treated with CRRT. 124 patients were followed up for 2.59 months，7 patients died of multiple organ failure, infection and acute rejection in follow-up period, the survivals in both groups have normal PAP, no significant tricuspid regurgitation. No significant difference in cold ischemia time of donor heart, cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) and circulation support time between both groups; but the patients of pulmonary hypertension group had longer tracheal intubation time in comparison with the patients of control group (65±119 h vs. 32±38 h, t=2.17，P=0.028). Preoperative PASP，mean pulmonary artery pressure(MPAP) and PVR in pulmonary hypertension group were significantly higher than those in control group, CI was lower in pulmonary hypertension group ［PASP 64.30±11.50 mm Hg vs. 35.60±10.20 mm Hg; MPAP 43.20±8.50 mm Hg vs. 24.20±7.20 mm Hg; PVR 4.72±2.26 Wood·U vs. 2.27±1.24 Wood·U; CI 1.93±0.62 L/（min·m2） vs. 2.33±0.56 L/（min·m2）; Plt;0.05］. Postoperative early PASP, MPAP and PVR in pulmonary hypertension group were significantly higher than those in control group (PASP 35.40±5.60 mm Hg vs. 31.10±5.70 mm Hg, MPAP 23.10±3.60 mm Hg vs. 21.00±4.00 mm Hg, PVR 2.46±0.78 Wood·U vs. 1.79±0.62 Wood·U; Plt;0.05). Conclusion Postoperative right heart insuficiency is related to preoperative pulmonary hypertension in heart transplant patients. Donor heart can quickly rehabilitate postoperatively by effectively controlling perioperative pulmonary hypertension with good follow-up results.
Objective To study efficiency and security of the recombinant adenoviralmediated gene transfer to the donor heart during the heart transplantation. Methods A total of 140 healthy male Wistar rats,aged 10 weeks, weighing 200250 g, were equally divided into the donor group and the recipient group, and then 70 rats in the recipient group were randomly andequally divided into 2 subgroups: the gene transfer group and the control group. The rat model of heterotopic heart transplantation(Abdomen)was developed, the donor hearts were removed and their coronary arteries were perfused with 800 μlof the recombinant adenoviral vectors encoding the β-galactosidase gene（Ad-LacZ）. The grafts were stored in the 4℃ cold saline solution for 30 minutes, and then the syngeneic transplant was performed. In the control group, saline of tales doses was perfused. The donor hearts were harvested at 3, 5, 7, 14, and 28days (n=7)after transplantation, and the β-galactosidase activity was assessed by the X-gal staining. At 28 days the major organs of the recipients were tested by the histopathological analysis and the polymerase chain reaction of the adenoviral E1A sequences. Results The successful gene transfer of the βgalactosidase gene was demonstrated in the adenovirus-perfused hearts, with no staining in the control group. The gene expression reached a peak level at 3, 5 and 7 days, and the averaged numbers of the total βgalactosidase positive staining cells per slice were 66.4±23.1, 91.3±32.4 and 68.7±22.7, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups (Pgt;0.05). At 14 days the gene expression gradually declined (32.1±13.9), and the significant difference was found when compared with that at 3, 5 and 7 days (Plt;0.05). At 28 days the cells positive for β-galactosidase were sparse (3.9±3.4), and the gene transfer was significantly less efficient compared with that at 3, 5, 7 and 14 days (Plt;0.05). The major organs of the recipients were not affected seriously at 28 days. No virus spread to other organs in this experimental protocol. Conclusion The ex vivo adenoviralmediated gene transfer intracoronarily to the donor heart during the heart transplantation is feasible and safe.
Objective To investigate the effects of human recombinant hepatocyte growth factor(rh-HGF) on the expression of c-Met in intima of allograft vessels after cardiac transplantation in rats. Methods Heterotopic heart transplantation were established in abdominal cavity with eighty Wistar rats and forty SD rats. Donors’ cardiac grafts from Wistar rats were transplanted to SD rats(allograft) or Wistar rats(isograft).Sixty recipient rats were divided into three groups, control group：20 Wistar rats were injected with normal saline 1ml/kg·d intraperitoneally after transplantation; cyclosporine A (CsA) group:20 SD rats were injected with CsA 5mg/kg·d intraperitoneally on operation day; rhHGF group:20 SD rats were injected with rh-HGF 500μg/kg·d and CsA 5mg/kg·d intraperitoneally on operation day. The cardiac grafts were harvested at the 15th day and 60th day after transplantation. The crosssection of vascular tissues were used for immunohistochemistrical staining of c-Met, and investigated the expression of c-Met messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA ) in intima of allograft vessels by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The pathologic changes of allograft coronary vessels were observed with histopathological method. Results The allograft coronary arteries showed minimal intimal thickening, the endothelium and internal elastic lamina remained almost intact in rh-HGF group after transplantation.The expression of c-Met and c-Met mRNA in intima of allograft vessels after transplantation in rhHGF group were significantly higher than those in CsA group and control group（expression of c-Met at 60d: 1.85±0.26 vs. 0.96±0.10, t=8.491,P=0.000;1.85±0.26 vs. 0.58±0.03, t=13.725,P=0.000; expression of c-Met mRNA at 60d: 192±0.22 vs. 0.88±0.07, t=11.940,P=0.000;1.92±0.22 vs. 0.42±0.02,t=19.206,P=0.000）. Conclusion rh-HGF may prevent the progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy through upregulating the expression of c-Met to stimulate endothelial cell repair and growth.
Heart transplantation is a key treatment option for patients with end-stage heart failure. However, post-transplant recipients often face complex rehabilitation challenges due to cardiac denervation, lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, and common complications such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and post-transplant diabetes mellitus. This article aims to interpret the 2024 position paper jointly released by the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society for Organ Transplantation on post-transplant rehabilitation, and to systematically summarizes the core strategies proposed in rehabilitation management, including optimizing immunosuppressive therapy, individualized exercise prescriptions, lifestyle interventions, and psychosocial support
Objective To investigate the rat model of cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation in rat abdominal cavity. Methods Forty Wistar rats and 40SDrats were divided into control group and experiment group randomly pair-matching. Rat model ofheterotopic heart transplantation was developed. Low doseCyclosporine A were injected into the abdominal cavity in experiment group, while the control group had not received the Cyclosporine A. Transplant hearts were harvested at two weeks and four weeks post-operatively and changes of coronary artery were observed by light microscope. Results There were no alteration of tunica intima of coronary artery in control group at two weeks and four weeks post-transplantation. Tunica intima of coronary artery increased in thickness at two weeks post-transplantation in experiment group and concentric circular change occurred at four weeks post-transplantation. Lumen of coronary artery constricted transparent and cardiac allograft vasculopathy occurred. Conclusion This animal model is reliable of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
Objective To summarize the experiences of donor heart procurement of heart transplantation so as to improve the efficiency of donor heart protection. [WTHZ]Methods [WTBZ]From April 2002 to October 2006, sixtyone patients with endstage heart disease had undergone orthotopic heart transplantation. Donors were all male brain deaths, aged from 21 to 53, and 5 of them were older than 40. There were 6 cases in which the weight difference between donor and recipient＞20%, and the rest ≤±20%. Fortyfive cases had the same ABO blood type, and 16 had matching ABO blood type. Four donor hearts were procured under the condition of stable hemodynamics and enough oxygen after brain death(typeⅠ), fortyfour donor hearts were procured under the condition of brain death with acute hemorrhage and hypovolemia (typeⅡ), and 13 donor hearts were procured under the condition of brain death with cardiac arrest (typeⅢ). Twenty cases underwent standard transplantation procedure, one underwent total heart transplantation procedure and 40 underwent bicaval transplantation procedure. The donor heart cold ischemic period ranged from 52 to 347 min（92±31 min）, and 13 cases were more than 240 min. Results Two cases died of low cardiac output syndrome on 7th and 9th day after operation respectively, and their donor heart cold ischemic period were 327 and 293 min respectively. The rest of patients all recovered and discharged. One died of acute rejection on 18th month after operation because of rejecting immunosuppressive agents, and 1 died in traffic accident on 23rd month after transplantation. The rest 57 cases survived 6-59 months(mean 35 months), and had good life quality with NYHA cardiac function classification in 0-I grade. Conclusions Heart transplantation with donor aged over 40 may also have satisfactory results. Patients with endstage dilated cardiomyopathy can procure donor heartsfrom donors with heavy weight. Using different techniques to procure donor hearts may furthest reduce myocardial injury. Donor hearts which have been protected by myocardium protecting liquid for a long time should be used with caution.
Objective To study the role of chimerism on immune tolerance to cardiac allografts. Methods Male DA rat hearts were transplanted to male Lewis rats using Ono’s model and randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (group Ⅰ), rejection group (group Ⅱ), immune tolerance group (group Ⅲ). Mean survival time (MST), histological changes, mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), chimerism of recipients’ spleen and thymus were measured after operation. Results The MST of cardiac allografts in group Ⅲ (85.28±7.48 d) was significantly longer than that in the group Ⅱ (7.33±1.03 d). Only a few inflammatory cells infiltrated in cardiac allografts in group Ⅲ. MLR of group Ⅲ were significantly decreased compared with those of group Ⅰ (Plt;0.01). Conclusion The chimerism of recipient plays an important role on immune tolerance to cardiac allografts.
ObjectiveTo analyze the assessment and maintenance of 125 donor hearts from brain death donation and explore the use of marginal donor hearts.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the evaluation, maintenance, operation and follow-up results of 125 donor hearts from April 2016 to August 2019. There were 98 males and 27 females at age of 6-50 (36.0±2.4) years.ResultsTwelve donor hearts were discarded due to unqualified evaluation after heart harvest. 113 patients of heart transplantation were performed with a double lumen venous anastomosis manner. The mean time of cold ischemia was 220.1±6.7 min. Four patients died within 30 days after operation. Postoperative right ventricular assist circulation was performed in 4 patients, intra-aortic balloon counterattack (IABP) in 12 patients and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in 12 patients. Marginal donors included 15 hepatitis B antigen positive donor hearts, 2 tricuspid regurgitation, 1 mitral regurgitation, 5 coronary calcification, 4 myocardial stunning and 2 severe weight mismatch. The results of follow-up (2 years) after marginal donor heart transplantation were satisfactory.ConclusionImproving the assessment and maintenance of donor hearts can improve the utilization rate of the heart, and the marginal donor heart transplantation needs long-term follow-up.