The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
-
J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Oct 2005
Lung transplantation for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: analysis of a 13-year experience.
Lung transplantation is a well-established treatment for end-stage cystic fibrosis, and there are considerable data on medium- and long-term results. However, less information exists about transplantation for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. ⋯ Survival and lung function after transplantation for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis was similar to that after transplantation for cystic fibrosis. A good outcome is possible after single lung transplantation in selected patients.
-
J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Oct 2005
Nutrition assessment and management of left ventricular assist device patients.
Nutrition evaluation and support is an integral component of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy. Malnutrition in the LVAD patient contributes to a host of post-operative problems, such as infection and limited functional capacity, which compromise long-term outcomes. ⋯ An interdisciplinary approach, including a nutrition support team, is desirable to manage these patients effectively. This article reviews essential aspects regarding nutrition management of these patients.
-
J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Oct 2005
Potential suitability for transplantation of hearts from human non-heart-beating donors: data review from the Gift of Life Donor Program.
Organ availability limits use of heart transplantation for treatment for end-stage heart disease. Hearts are currently obtained from donors declared brain dead (heart-beating donors [HBDs]). Although use of hearts from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) could reduce the shortage, they are considered unusable because of possible peri-mortem ischemic injury. ⋯ Based on our assumptions, 12% to 18% of NHBDs in the study period (14 to 21 of 119 total) were potential heart donors, representing a 4% to 6% increase over of the number of heart transplants performed during the same time interval.
-
J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Oct 2005
Comparative StudyDifferential exercise performance on ventricular assist device support.
Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are approved for destination therapy because they improve survival in end-stage heart failure (HF). VADs are powered pneumatically or electrically. Pneumatic and electric left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and biventricular assist devices (BiVADs) provide excellent hemodynamic support at rest, but differences in their effects on exercise tolerance are unclear. We sought to evaluate the effect of devices with varying operating parameters on exercise capacity. ⋯ HF patients supported with a pneumatic LVAD appear to have better exercise tolerance than those receiving an electric LVAD. Patients on LVAD support have better exercise tolerance than BiVAD-supported patients. This highlights the importance of right ventricular function to exercise tolerance in HF patients, and may have implications for future VAD design.