Objectives:Using data from the heart transplant patient dataset of our center,we aimed to develop a preoperative risk scoring model specifically suitable for the Chinese population undergoing heart transplantation.This model was established to predict the likelihood of graft failure within the first year post-surgery and classify recipients according to their risk level.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted at a single center on 1 210 consecutive heart transplant recipients between June 2004 and December 2022.Risk factor screening was performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Variable selection was carried out through a stepwise backward procedure based on the Akaike Information Criterion(AIC).The regression coefficients obtained from the final model were employed as weighting factors in the multifactor analysis.The study utilized the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)area under curve(AUC)as a metric to evaluate the performance of the model.Patients were stratified into low,medium,and high-risk groups based on the distribution of the calculated scores.Survival analysis was conducted on the various risk groups using the Kaplan-Meier method,with statistical comparisons performed using the log-rank test.A significance level of P<0.05 was deemed statistically significant.Results:A risk scoring model,denoted as the heart transplant(HTx)score,was developed,comprising 11 variables and yielding a total score of 20.6 points.In comparison to the low-risk group,the OR for 1-year graft failure in the medium-risk group was 2.0(95%CI:1.1-3.6,P=0.02),while the high-risk group had an OR of 9.8(95%CI:5.4-17.7,P<0.01).The risk scoring model exhibited strong discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.712(95%CI:0.646-0.778)and an internally validated bias-corrected AUC of 0.713.The results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated that the predictive model demonstrated a strong calibration ability(Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2=2.92,P=0.71).Within the cohort,the AUC values for the IMPACT score,UNOS score,RSS score,Mayo score,BO score,and TRS score models were 0.645,0.651,0.632,0.589,0.610,and 0.604,respectively.These findings suggest that the HTx scoring model exhibited superior predictive performance compared to the aforementioned models in forecasting outcomes within our cohort.The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed statistically significant differences in long-term survival rates between the three risk groups,a noticeable decrease in long-term survival rates were observed with increasing levels of HTx risk stratification(P<0.05).Conclusions:Present results indicate a significant association between the developed HTx risk scores and graft failure within the initial year post-surgery,present model effectively categorizes the heart transplant recipients into low,medium,and high-risk groups and is valuable for risk stratification.

Objectives:To assess the situation of retained cardiac implantable electronic device(CIED)leads after cardiac transplantation,the associated factors,and their impact on long-term prognosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 096 patients who underwent cardiac transplantation at Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 1,2005 to January 1,2022.Among them,204 patients(18.6%)received CIED therapy before cardiac transplantation.Two physicians independently reviewed the pre-and post-transplant chest X-rays to determine the presence of retained CIED leads.Logistic multivariate regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with retained CIED leads,and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to analyze the impact of retained CIED leads on long-term prognosis.Results:Among the 204 patients who received CIED therapy before cardiac transplantation,the highest proportion were those treated with implantable cardioverter defibrillator(ICD)and cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator(CRT-D),accounting for 47.5%(97/204)and 40.7%(83/204),respectively.The mean duration from CIED implantation to cardiac transplantation was(45.1±40.0)months,and 38 patients(18.6%)had retained CIED leads after cardiac transplantation.The results of the logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that the duration from CIED implantation to cardiac transplantation was the only factor associated with retained CIED leads after cardiac transplantation(OR=1.020,95%CI:1.011-1.030,P=0.000).Cumulative all-cause survival rates among patients without CIED implantation(n=892),those without retained CIED leads(n=166),and those with retained CIED leads(n=38)were 88.5%,93.3%and 84.2%,respectively.Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed no significant difference in cumulative all-cause survival among the three groups(log-rank P=0.643).Conclusions:In patients who received CIED implantation before cardiac transplantation,18.6%had retained leads after surgery.The duration from CIED implantation to cardiac transplantation is the only factor associated with lead retained after cardiac transplantation,but retained leads does not affect the outcome post heart transplantation.

Objectives:When heparin-induced thrombocytopenia(HIT)is diagnosed before heart transplantation,recommendation varies according to small sample observations from other countries.In China,recent HIT is considered as a relative contradiction for heart transplantation and clinical study results is not yet available.Methods:A total of 325 patients who received heart transplantation in Fuwai Hospital from January 1,2022 to July 31,2024 were retrospectively analyzed,124 of whom received instrumental circulation and heparin before transplantation,and 15 of whom had suspected HIT before surgery.Diagnostic strategy was based on clinical investigation,antibody detection and expert opinion.Results:All 15 patients used intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP)preoperatively,6 were diagnosed with HIT,contributing 4.8%of those who used mechanical circulation support before heart transplantation.Three patients were tested positive for HIT-Ab just before surgery.Three different anticoagulation strategies:bivalirudin,heparin,and combined bivalirudin and heparin was used in each of the 3 patients,respectively.Their clinical features varied significantly.The first patient experienced challenging bleeding issue and cervical vein embolization.The second patient experienced low-limb embolization and the third patient experienced spleen artery embolization.Thrombocyte count returned to normal range at day 8,6 and 10 respectively post operation.Conclusions:HIT is not rare in patients using IABP and other mechanical circulation support devices before heart transplantation.Diagnosis and treatment of HIT is challenging for patients awaiting heart transplantation.

Objectives:To assess the situation of retained cardiac implantable electronic device(CIED)leads after cardiac transplantation,the associated factors,and their impact on long-term prognosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 096 patients who underwent cardiac transplantation at Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 1,2005 to January 1,2022.Among them,204 patients(18.6%)received CIED therapy before cardiac transplantation.Two physicians independently reviewed the pre-and post-transplant chest X-rays to determine the presence of retained CIED leads.Logistic multivariate regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with retained CIED leads,and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to analyze the impact of retained CIED leads on long-term prognosis.Results:Among the 204 patients who received CIED therapy before cardiac transplantation,the highest proportion were those treated with implantable cardioverter defibrillator(ICD)and cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator(CRT-D),accounting for 47.5%(97/204)and 40.7%(83/204),respectively.The mean duration from CIED implantation to cardiac transplantation was(45.1±40.0)months,and 38 patients(18.6%)had retained CIED leads after cardiac transplantation.The results of the logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that the duration from CIED implantation to cardiac transplantation was the only factor associated with retained CIED leads after cardiac transplantation(OR=1.020,95%CI:1.011-1.030,P=0.000).Cumulative all-cause survival rates among patients without CIED implantation(n=892),those without retained CIED leads(n=166),and those with retained CIED leads(n=38)were 88.5%,93.3%and 84.2%,respectively.Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed no significant difference in cumulative all-cause survival among the three groups(log-rank P=0.643).Conclusions:In patients who received CIED implantation before cardiac transplantation,18.6%had retained leads after surgery.The duration from CIED implantation to cardiac transplantation is the only factor associated with lead retained after cardiac transplantation,but retained leads does not affect the outcome post heart transplantation.

Objectives:When heparin-induced thrombocytopenia(HIT)is diagnosed before heart transplantation,recommendation varies according to small sample observations from other countries.In China,recent HIT is considered as a relative contradiction for heart transplantation and clinical study results is not yet available.Methods:A total of 325 patients who received heart transplantation in Fuwai Hospital from January 1,2022 to July 31,2024 were retrospectively analyzed,124 of whom received instrumental circulation and heparin before transplantation,and 15 of whom had suspected HIT before surgery.Diagnostic strategy was based on clinical investigation,antibody detection and expert opinion.Results:All 15 patients used intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP)preoperatively,6 were diagnosed with HIT,contributing 4.8%of those who used mechanical circulation support before heart transplantation.Three patients were tested positive for HIT-Ab just before surgery.Three different anticoagulation strategies:bivalirudin,heparin,and combined bivalirudin and heparin was used in each of the 3 patients,respectively.Their clinical features varied significantly.The first patient experienced challenging bleeding issue and cervical vein embolization.The second patient experienced low-limb embolization and the third patient experienced spleen artery embolization.Thrombocyte count returned to normal range at day 8,6 and 10 respectively post operation.Conclusions:HIT is not rare in patients using IABP and other mechanical circulation support devices before heart transplantation.Diagnosis and treatment of HIT is challenging for patients awaiting heart transplantation.

Objectives:Using data from the heart transplant patient dataset of our center,we aimed to develop a preoperative risk scoring model specifically suitable for the Chinese population undergoing heart transplantation.This model was established to predict the likelihood of graft failure within the first year post-surgery and classify recipients according to their risk level.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted at a single center on 1 210 consecutive heart transplant recipients between June 2004 and December 2022.Risk factor screening was performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Variable selection was carried out through a stepwise backward procedure based on the Akaike Information Criterion(AIC).The regression coefficients obtained from the final model were employed as weighting factors in the multifactor analysis.The study utilized the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)area under curve(AUC)as a metric to evaluate the performance of the model.Patients were stratified into low,medium,and high-risk groups based on the distribution of the calculated scores.Survival analysis was conducted on the various risk groups using the Kaplan-Meier method,with statistical comparisons performed using the log-rank test.A significance level of P<0.05 was deemed statistically significant.Results:A risk scoring model,denoted as the heart transplant(HTx)score,was developed,comprising 11 variables and yielding a total score of 20.6 points.In comparison to the low-risk group,the OR for 1-year graft failure in the medium-risk group was 2.0(95%CI:1.1-3.6,P=0.02),while the high-risk group had an OR of 9.8(95%CI:5.4-17.7,P<0.01).The risk scoring model exhibited strong discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.712(95%CI:0.646-0.778)and an internally validated bias-corrected AUC of 0.713.The results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated that the predictive model demonstrated a strong calibration ability(Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2=2.92,P=0.71).Within the cohort,the AUC values for the IMPACT score,UNOS score,RSS score,Mayo score,BO score,and TRS score models were 0.645,0.651,0.632,0.589,0.610,and 0.604,respectively.These findings suggest that the HTx scoring model exhibited superior predictive performance compared to the aforementioned models in forecasting outcomes within our cohort.The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed statistically significant differences in long-term survival rates between the three risk groups,a noticeable decrease in long-term survival rates were observed with increasing levels of HTx risk stratification(P<0.05).Conclusions:Present results indicate a significant association between the developed HTx risk scores and graft failure within the initial year post-surgery,present model effectively categorizes the heart transplant recipients into low,medium,and high-risk groups and is valuable for risk stratification.

Objectives:To investigate the feasibility of using bedside echocardiography on the evaluation of potential donors with different causes of brain death for adult heart transplantation. Methods:Bedside echocardiographic and clinical data of consecutive potential donors for adult heart transplantation evaluated by the team of our institution from February 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Based on different causes of brain death,the potential donors were divided into stroke(ischemic or hemorrhagic,n=398)and non-stroke(head trauma,brain tumor,anoxia,n=272)groups.The clinical and echocardiographic features were compared between the two groups.A total of 350 donors were assigned to our hospital by the China Organ Transplant Response System and met the inclusion criteria for donor selection.There were 195 cases in the stroke group and 155 in the non-stroke group.Retrieval operations were performed and the retrieval rate of hearts for transplantation in stroke donors was compared to that in non-stroke donors. Results:(1)Among the 670 potential heart donors,compared with the non-stroke group,donors in the stroke group were significantly older,had higher body mass index,larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter,thicker interventricular septum,higher rates of echocardiographic abnormalities,higher prevalence of hypertension(all P<0.001).Among the 670 potential heart donors,17.5%(117 cases)did not meet the echo selection criteria,the common causes were left ventricular hypertrophy(59 cases,50.4%),left ventricular ejection fraction<50%(27 cases,23.1%),wall motion abnormalities(21 cases,17.9%),and left ventricular dilation(14 cases,12.0%).(2)Among the 350 donors who had met the selection criteria and assigned to our hospital by the China Organ Transplant Response System and underwent retrieval operation,70.3%(246 cases)were successfully procured,110 cases(44.7%)in the stroke group and 136 cases(55.3%)in the non-stroke group.The retrieval rate of stroke donors(110/195,56.4%)was lower compared with that of non-stroke(136/155,87.7%,P<0.001),104 cases(29.7%)were not retrieved,and the leading cause of unsuccessful organ retrieval was the occlusion of at least one major coronary artery(91 cases,87.5%). Conclusions:Bedside echocardiography is of great value as a screening tool for cardiac donors.Cardiac structures of the potential donor with stroke as the cause of brain death were different from those with non-stroke causes.The retrieval rate of stroke donors was lower than that of non-stroke donors,even if the initial criteria for donor selection were fulfilled.

Objective:To explore the trends and outcomes for heart transplantation (HT) in elderly recipients and further examine the related risk factors.Methods:Between June 2004 and December 2021, retrospective review was conducted for the relevant clinical data and age distribution of 1044 HT recipients aged ≥18 year at Fuwai Hospital. The study population was assigned into two groups of elder (≥60 year, n=877) and non-elder (<60 year, n=157). Subgroup analysis was made between recipients aged <65 year (n=107) and those aged ≥ 65 year (n=50) in elder group. Baseline demographic profiles, clinical data, in-hospital and one-year post-transplant mortality and long-term survival were compared between two groups. Then a further comparison of long-term survival was conducted among the groups of non-elder, elder aged <65 year and elder aged ≥65 year. Cox proportional risk regression and multivariate Logistic regression models were utilized for examining the relevant risk factors for cumulative survival rate and short-term mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed for plotting survival curves and Log-rank test for comparison. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model was utilized for examining the relevant risk factors for cumulative survival rate and multivariate Logistic regression model for analyzing the relevant risk factors for short-term mortality. After adjusting for other confounding factors, the impact of recipient age on survival post-HT was determined.Results:The number of elderly HT recipients spiked annually at our center while average age of adult recipients and average age of elderly recipients have remained relatively constant. The median follow-up period was 6.5 years. Regarding baseline data, statistically significant differences existed in ratio of males [84.7%(113/157) vs 77.5%(687/877)], hypertension history [20.4%(32/157) vs 8.9%(79/877)], smoking history [47.1%(74/157) vs 36.1%(320/877)], diabetic history [33.8%(53/157) vs 14.7%(130/877)], preoperative ICD/CRT/CRT-D implantation [28.0%(44/157) vs 18.0%(160/877)], value of creatinine [(105.3±25.3) vs (96.8±35.0) μmol/L], IMPACT score [(6.9±2.4) vs (4.2±2.9) point], serum total bilirubin [19.7(13.6, 30.3) vs 23.7(15.8, 36.8) μmol/L], mean pulmonary arterial pressure [(26.0±10.3) vs (29.7±11.0) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)] and ischemic duration [(274.7±105.6) vs (296.0±120.4) min] (all P<0.05). No significant inter-group difference existed in in-hospital mortality [4.5%(7/157) vs 4.7%(42/887)] or 1-year mortality [5.7%(9/157) vs 6.5%(58/887)] ( P=0.88, P=0.70); in-hospital mortality and 1-year postoperative mortality of recipients aged ≥65 years 10.0%(5/50) and 14.0%(7/50) were both higher than those aged <65 year [1.9%(2/107), 1.9%(2/107)]. The differences were both statistically significant ( P=0.02, P<0.01). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that long-term survival rate was lower in elder group than that in non-elder group and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.046). Long-term survival rate of elders aged ≥65 year was lower than that of non-elders aged <65 year and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Regression analysis indicated that age of recipient ≥65 year, preoperative creatinine ≥133 μmol/L, preoperative total bilirubin ≥25.65 μmol/L and preoperative support of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were independent risk factors for short/long-term mortality post-HT. Conclusion:Although long-term prognosis of elderly recipients is slightly worse than that of non-elderly ones, in-hospital mortality and one-year postoperative mortality are similar between two groups. For elderly recipients with fewer comorbidities and better preoperative status, they should not be excluded from HT based solely upon age. The long-term prognosis of recipients aged ≥65 year remains poor and HT decisions should be made carefully.

Objective To evaluate the effect of renal insufficiency before heart transplantation on perioperative death, complications and long-term survival, and to compare the differences between preoperative serum creatinine (Scr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in preoperative risk assessment. Methods Clinical data of 1 095 heart transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed. According to preoperative Scr level, all recipients were divided into the Scr < 133 μmol/L(n=980), Scr 133-176 μmol/L (n=83) and Scr≥177 μmol/L groups (n=32). According to preoperative eGFR, all recipients were divided into eGFR≥90 mL/(min·1.73m²) (n=436), eGFR 60-89 mL/(min·1.73m²) (n=418) and eGFR < 60 mL/(min·1.73m²) groups (n=241). Clinical prognosis of postoperative renal function, perioperative and long-term outcomes of recipients were compared among different groups. The effect of eGFR and Scr level on renal function injury and long-term survival after heart transplantation was assessed. Results With the increase of preoperative Scr level, the proportion of recipients undergoing postoperative continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was increased, the proportion of recipients receiving postoperative mechanical circulatory support was elevated, the incidence of postoperative complications was increased, the duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit(ICU) stay was prolonged, and the in-hospital fatality was increased. The differences among three groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). With the decrease of preoperative eGFR, the proportion of recipients receiving postoperative CRRT was increased, the proportion of recipients using postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was elevated, the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay was prolonged, and the in-hospital fatality was increased. The differences among three groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Scr≥177 μmol/L was an independent risk factor for postoperative death [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 3.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.89-6.99, P < 0.01]. Among different groups classified by Scr and eGFR, the cumulative incidence rate of postoperative renal function injury and long-term survival rate were statistically significant among three groups (all P < 0.05). In patients with preoperative Scr < 133 μmol/L, the cumulative incidence rate of postoperative long-term renal function injury was significantly increased with the decrease of preoperative eGFR (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in postoperative long-term survival rate among patients stratified by different eGFR (P > 0.05). Conclusions Renal insufficiency before heart transplantation is associated with poor perioperative and long-term prognosis. Preoperative Scr and eGFR are the independent risk factors for postoperative renal function injury. Scr yields low sensitivity in the assessment of preoperative renal function, whereas it has high accuracy in predicting perioperative death risk. And eGFR is a more sensitive parameter to evaluate preoperative renal function, which may identify early-stage renal functional abnormality and take effective measures during early stage to reduce adverse effect on prognosis.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacies of robot-assisted and free-hand long segment screw fixation combined with wedge osteotomy in the treatment of type IV chronic symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures (CSOVCFs).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 72 patients with type IV CSOVCFs who were admitted to Honghui Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from May 2019 to December 2021, including 22 males and 46 females; aged 61-82 years [(71.2±12.3)years]. Fracture segments were located at T 11-T 12 in 37 patients and at L 1-L 2 in 31. A total of 32 patients were treated with robot-assisted long segment screw fixation combined with wedge osteotomy (robot group) and 36 with free-hand long segment screw fixation combined with wedge osteotomy (free-hand group). The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, dosage of radiation exposure, intraoperative needle adjustment, time of single pedicle screw placement and accuracy of pedicle screw placement were compared between the two groups. The kyphotic Cobb angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar kyphosis (LL), visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were measured preoperatively, at 3 days postoperatively and at the last follow-up. The incidences of facet joint violation, deviation in guide needle placement, cerebrospinal leak and proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) were observed. Results:All patients were followed up for 12-26 months [(18.2±5.1)months]. The operation time and time of single pedicle screw placement showed no significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). The intraoperative bleeding volume was (502.5±58.3)ml in the robot group, less than that in the free-hand group [(690.2±45.9)ml]. The dosage of radiation exposure was (32.6±10.8)μSv in the robot group, lower than that in the free-hand group [(48.6±15.2)μSv]. The intraoperative needle adjustment was (2.1±0.3)times in the robot group, higher than that in the free-hand group [(20.7±5.8)times], and the accuracy of pedicle screw placement was 99.7% in the robot group, less than that in the free-hand group (91.8%) (all P<0.01). Compared with pre-operation, the kyphotic Cobb angle, SVA, TK and LL were significantly improved in both groups at postoperative 3 days and at the last follow-up (all P<0.05). Compared with postoperative 3 days, the kyphotic Cobb angle, SVA and TK were increased at the last follow-up within the two groups, but with no significant differences (all P>0.05). Compared with postoperative 3 days, the LL was decreased within the two groups at the last follow-up, but with no significant differences (all P>0.05). The VAS and ODI in the two groups were significantly lower at postoperative 3 days and at the last follow-up when compared with those before operation (all P<0.05), and both values were significantly lower at the last follow-up than those at postoperative 3 days (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the VAS or ODI at all time points between the two groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of facet joint violation in the robot group was 1.6%, markedly lower than that in the free-hand group (9.6%) ( P<0.01). The incidences of deviation in guide needle placement, cerebrospinal leak and PJK showed no differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:For type IV CSOVCFs, the robot-assisted long segment screw fixation combined with wedge osteotomy can better reduce intraoperative blood loss, decrease radiation exposure, improve accuracy of pedicle screw placement, and reduce facet joint violation when compared with free-hand long segment screw fixation combined with wedge osteotomy.