New Prioritization Criteria for Heart Transplantation in Spain: Expert Opinion
An expert commentary by Dr. J. Cuenca on the past, present, and future of prioritization criteria for heart transplantation in Spain, recently updated in April 2023.
Heart failure and circulatory devices
Acute Heart Failure and Valvular Disease: A Glimmer of Hope
A position paper by the European Society of Heart Failure, the Association of Acute Cardiovascular Care, and the European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions addresses the challenges in managing acute heart failure (AHF) with associated valvular heart disease (VHD).
Prognostic Echocardiographic Findings in Patients on Veno-Arterial ECMO for Cardiogenic Shock
This retrospective study analyzes critical echocardiographic findings associated with poor prognosis in patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) for cardiogenic shock.
Long-Term Ventricular Assist in Spain (REGALAD Registry): Consolidation of an Unstoppable and Rising Reality
This study offers the first detailed analysis of the Spanish registry for long-term ventricular assist devices (REGALAD), encompassing all patients who received these devices in Spain from 2007 to 2020.
Unloading the Left Ventricle in Veno-arterial ECMO: Methods, Timing, and Candidates
A review of the various methods and indications for left ventricle (LV) unloading in patients supported with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).
Impella CP® in Myocardial Infarction with Cardiogenic Shock: First Evidence in Over 20 Years
This international, multicenter clinical trial (DanGer study) evaluates the effects of routine implantation of the microaxial flow pump (Impella CP®) compared to conventional treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.
Donor after Cardiac Arrest for Heart Transplantation in the United States: A Hope Becoming Reality
This study compares the use and outcomes of heart transplants utilizing donation after circulatory death (DCD) versus donation after brain death (DBD) in the United States.
ECMO-CS Study: Does It Clarify When to Implant VA-ECMO in Cardiogenic Shock?
First multicenter randomized clinical trial assessing the outcomes of immediate VA-ECMO implantation compared to an initially conservative strategy (allowing subsequent VA-ECMO if hemodynamic deterioration occurs) in patients with severe or rapidly deteriorating cardiogenic shock.
Early Extracorporeal CPR for Refractory Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Is It Really the Solution?
A recent randomized, multicenter trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine assesses the effectiveness of early extracorporeal CPR compared with conventional CPR in patients experiencing refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
New Horizons for Heart Transplantation: The American Experience with HCV-Positive Donors
A prospective cohort study at the Medical University of South Carolina which analyzed the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database to assess mid-term survival in patients receiving transplants from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive versus HCV-negative donors.