Re-entry into the chest after one or more previous operative interventions can result in prolonged dissection, blood loss, structural damage, and catastrophic injuries, resulting in MOF and even death. Previous implantation of mechanical circulatory assist devices may lead to development of dense adhesions and solid scar tissue. This is certainly true for cases involving previous placement of the total artificial heart (TAH). Implantation of this device is on the rise, as is it is the only viable options for patients with biventricular failure, as the number of heart transplantations is stagnant worldwide. With the new heart transplantation allocation system in the United States, more and more patients with an implanted TAH are waiting for cardiac transplantation. Therefore, patients having an implanted TAH presenting for transplantation are at risk for complications during sternal re-entry or for complications as a result of prolonged ischemic time due to extended times of mediastinal dissection. Thoughtful and preemptive preparation of the surgical field at the time of initial implantation of the TAH has not only the potential, but a proven track record of decreasing operative time, duration of mediastinal dissection as well as risks for complications and adverse events in patients with subsequent heart transplantation. In conclusion, the measures for TAH protection taken at the time of implantation allow for expeditious and safe redo sternotomy, efficient mediastinal dissection, rapid identification and exposure of structures necessary for initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and finally and importantly expeditious device removal in order to avoid delay in donor organ implantation and prolonged ischemic time.
Published in | International Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (Volume 7, Issue 5) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12 |
Page(s) | 55-58 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Total Artificial Heart, Redo Sternotomy, Heart Transplantation
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APA Style
Kai Ihnken, Francisco Arabia. (2021). Implantation Strategies to Protect the Total Artificial Heart for Subsequent Heart Transplantation. International Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 7(5), 55-58. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12
ACS Style
Kai Ihnken; Francisco Arabia. Implantation Strategies to Protect the Total Artificial Heart for Subsequent Heart Transplantation. Int. J. Cardiovasc. Thorac. Surg. 2021, 7(5), 55-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12
AMA Style
Kai Ihnken, Francisco Arabia. Implantation Strategies to Protect the Total Artificial Heart for Subsequent Heart Transplantation. Int J Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2021;7(5):55-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12
@article{10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12, author = {Kai Ihnken and Francisco Arabia}, title = {Implantation Strategies to Protect the Total Artificial Heart for Subsequent Heart Transplantation}, journal = {International Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery}, volume = {7}, number = {5}, pages = {55-58}, doi = {10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcts.20210705.12}, abstract = {Re-entry into the chest after one or more previous operative interventions can result in prolonged dissection, blood loss, structural damage, and catastrophic injuries, resulting in MOF and even death. Previous implantation of mechanical circulatory assist devices may lead to development of dense adhesions and solid scar tissue. This is certainly true for cases involving previous placement of the total artificial heart (TAH). Implantation of this device is on the rise, as is it is the only viable options for patients with biventricular failure, as the number of heart transplantations is stagnant worldwide. With the new heart transplantation allocation system in the United States, more and more patients with an implanted TAH are waiting for cardiac transplantation. Therefore, patients having an implanted TAH presenting for transplantation are at risk for complications during sternal re-entry or for complications as a result of prolonged ischemic time due to extended times of mediastinal dissection. Thoughtful and preemptive preparation of the surgical field at the time of initial implantation of the TAH has not only the potential, but a proven track record of decreasing operative time, duration of mediastinal dissection as well as risks for complications and adverse events in patients with subsequent heart transplantation. In conclusion, the measures for TAH protection taken at the time of implantation allow for expeditious and safe redo sternotomy, efficient mediastinal dissection, rapid identification and exposure of structures necessary for initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and finally and importantly expeditious device removal in order to avoid delay in donor organ implantation and prolonged ischemic time.}, year = {2021} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Implantation Strategies to Protect the Total Artificial Heart for Subsequent Heart Transplantation AU - Kai Ihnken AU - Francisco Arabia Y1 - 2021/10/12 PY - 2021 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12 DO - 10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12 T2 - International Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery JF - International Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery JO - International Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery SP - 55 EP - 58 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2575-4882 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcts.20210705.12 AB - Re-entry into the chest after one or more previous operative interventions can result in prolonged dissection, blood loss, structural damage, and catastrophic injuries, resulting in MOF and even death. Previous implantation of mechanical circulatory assist devices may lead to development of dense adhesions and solid scar tissue. This is certainly true for cases involving previous placement of the total artificial heart (TAH). Implantation of this device is on the rise, as is it is the only viable options for patients with biventricular failure, as the number of heart transplantations is stagnant worldwide. With the new heart transplantation allocation system in the United States, more and more patients with an implanted TAH are waiting for cardiac transplantation. Therefore, patients having an implanted TAH presenting for transplantation are at risk for complications during sternal re-entry or for complications as a result of prolonged ischemic time due to extended times of mediastinal dissection. Thoughtful and preemptive preparation of the surgical field at the time of initial implantation of the TAH has not only the potential, but a proven track record of decreasing operative time, duration of mediastinal dissection as well as risks for complications and adverse events in patients with subsequent heart transplantation. In conclusion, the measures for TAH protection taken at the time of implantation allow for expeditious and safe redo sternotomy, efficient mediastinal dissection, rapid identification and exposure of structures necessary for initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and finally and importantly expeditious device removal in order to avoid delay in donor organ implantation and prolonged ischemic time. VL - 7 IS - 5 ER -