An overview of different methods of myocardial protection currently employed peri-transplantation
Abstract
Myocardial protection is integral to the functioning of hearts in day to day cardiac surgery. However, due to the longer ischaemic times, it becomes pivotal in the management of organs during transplantation. There are many different strategies employed to ensure diligent and judicious myocardial protection during donor management, transportation of the heart and the post-operative period. Given the limited supply of organs and the increasing waiting lists for heart transplants worldwide, it has become an area of renewed interest with many innovations and inventions using the principles of basic sciences to improve outcomes of transplanted hearts. The heart procurement process encompasses several of the different myocardial protection strategies in tandem to provide the greatest benefit to the recipients. This review looks at the different modalities employed, which include different types of cardioplegia, the role of biomarkers, the cutting-edge novel therapies, hormonal therapies and ischaemic conditioning strategies.
Keywords
Introduction
Cardiac surgery is a rapidly evolving specialty when compared to other forms of surgery. In the 19th century, professor Theodor Billroth, one of the pioneers of modern abdominal surgery once stated: "A surgeon who tries to suture a heart wound deserves to lose the esteem of his colleagues" in 1896[1]. In 1951, Russian physiologist Vladimar Petrovich Demikhov performed the first thoracic transplants recorded. He transplanted the heart and lungs of a male dog into a 3-year-old female dog. The dog survived 6 days exhibiting normal behaviour but succumbed to respiratory complications. This was the first recorded history of any animal surviving any length of time with a transplanted heart supporting its circulation[2].
Stanford University Medical Center led the field in cardiac transplantation. Norman Shumway from the University of Minnesota was well known for his work on myocardial protection. Along with Lillehei, they would later lead the team that refined the technique of orthotopic heart transplantation. They reported a series of orthotopic heart transplantations in dogs and perfected a method that had been use previously by Cass and Brock by preserving the recipient atrial cuffs[3]. They had also first introduced the idea of cold cardioplegia. These experiments were successful but Shumway that host immunologic mechanisms were destroying the graft and survival could be prevented by addressing these[4].
Shumway searched for biomarkers to monitor transplant rejection. Initial experiments with enzymes (hypertensin I) were unsuccessful. He settled on electrocardiography as a monitor but noted its limitations and pointed out that atrial fibrillation within 7-21 days of transplant was an early sign of rejection[5]. After working with transplant nephrologists, he assessed the potential benefits of immunosuppression (6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, and prednisolone) and increased survival by up to 250 days in dogs receiving orthotopic transplants. Dr. Christiaan Barnard extended their pioneering work. Barnard undertook the first successful human-to-human heart transplant in December 1967[6], before Shumway’s group followed shortly afterwards in January 1968.
However, the initial reported 1-year survival was only 22%, resulting in most centers abandoning this procedure[7]. Shumway’s group at Stanford along with other contemporaries (Cabrol’s group at Paris, Lower’s group at Virginia) persevered and following introduction of cyclosporine, 1-year survival increased to approximately 80% by the 80s.
The number of heart transplants performed worldwide continued to increase until the shortage of donors in the 1990s became a limiting factor[8]. In 2005, almost half (48%) of patients had spent at least 2 years on the heart transplant waiting list worldwide[9] leading to challenging decisions about the eligibility of donor hearts. Abuanzeh et al.[10] described steps utilized by their retrieval team to optimize donors. This was included standardizing protocols which includes insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter and performance of cardiac output studies, weaning other vasopressors and commencing arginine vasopressin, and administration of hormone replacement. This included tri-iodothyronine, methylprednisolone and insulin. They managed to retrieve 14 additional hearts in that time frame (56% of the borderline hearts) after aggressive donor management and optimization[10].
Despite recent advances, myocardial protection during heart transplantation remains a challenging avenue. With the increasing usage of borderline donor hearts as described, we review some of the myocardial protection strategies and potential markers for perioperative myocardial infarction.
Cardioplegia
Ringer first noted the relationship between potassium and sodium concentration and the heart rate in 1883[11]. Experimentations with potassium citrate were initially unsuccessful due to the excessive osmolality due to the high-concentration potassium citrate[12]. Most cardioplegic solutions today employ a more physiological osmolality and potassium concentration.
Cardioplegic solutions are defined as intracellular and extracellular solutions based on the concentrations of sodium and potassium ions. Extracellular solutions contain high levels of potassium, magnesium and sodium, while intracellular solutions contain low electrolyte levels. Intracellular solutions mimic the high potassium/low sodium conditions reducing potential concentration gradients across the plasma membrane, thereby halting potassium efflux. This reduction in membrane potential resting state prevents generation of action potentials. The function of the Na+/K+ ATPase channel is reduced in hypothermic conditions, therefore permitting the intracellular concentrations to persist[13]. Extracellular cardioplegia on the other hand works by preventing repolarization of myocytes. Potassium rich perfusate in the extracellular space reduces the membrane voltage difference causing depolarization. Intracellular calcium sequestration occurs via active transport across an ATP-dependent pump allowing relaxation of the myocardium in diastole. Repolarization however is prevented by the high potassium concentration of the cardioplegic solution. Both intracellular and extracellular cardioplegic solutions have similar long-term outcomes[14].
Norman Shumway first noted the use of topical hypothermia to reduce myocardial metabolic requirements in 1960 when chemical cardioplegia fell out of favour[15]. Denton Cooley then attempted intermittent aortic occlusion and utilized Kay’s work with intracoronary blood perfusion with cross clamp fibrillation[16-18].
Clinical cardioplegia was reintroduced in the 1970s by using a low-sodium solution by Bretschneider et al.[19] with potassium chloride[20] that was reported as safe and allowed safer aortic cross-clamping allowing cold crystalloid cardioplegic solutions to be in favour for general cardiac surgery. Blood was later introduced as medium for cardioplegia by Buckberg as it was later discovered that reperfusion injuries occurred in crystalloid cardioplegia due to the associated influence of calcium and oxygen as described by Buckberg[21] and Hearse et al.[22]. There are intracellular and extracellular types of crystalloid cardioplegia which have become the gold standard for cardiac preservation [Table 1][23].
Comparison of cardioplegic solutions contents
| HTK[15] | University of Wisconsin[16] | Celsior[14] | Eurocollins[17] | St Thomas's Solution[18] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intracellular/extracellular | Extracellular | Intracellular | Extracellular | Intracellular | Extracellular |
| Na+ | 10 | 25 | 100 | 10 | 120 |
| K+ | 10 | 120 | 15 | 115 | 16 |
| Ca2+ | 0.015 | 0 | 0.25 | 0 | 1.2 |
| Mg2+ | 4 | 5 | 13 | 0 | 16 |
| Cl− | 50 | 20 | 0 | 15 | 160 |
| Glucose | – | 0 | 0 | 180 | 0 |
| Others | α-KG | Adenosine | 0 | 0 | |
| Glucose | 0 | 0 | 0 | 195 | 0 |
| Impermeant/colloid | |||||
| Hydroxyl-Ethyl Starch (g/L) | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 0 |
| Lactobionate | 0 | 0 | 100 | 80 | 0 |
| Mannitol | 30 | 0 | 60 | 0 | |
| Raffinose | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Buffer | |||||
| Phosphate | 0 | 25 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| Bicarbonate | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Histidine | 180 | 0 | 30 | 00 | |
| Osmolarity (mOsm/L) | 310 | 330 | 320 | 375 | 320 |
| Anti-oxidants | |||||
| Glutothione | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Allopurinol | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tryptophan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (custodiol/bretschneider)
Reichenspurner et al.[24] studied the effect of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) in a cohort of 600 (524 male:76 female) patients undergoing heart transplantation over a 10-year period (1981-1991). They reported good results provided the ischaemic times were less than 4 h.
Sung et al.[25] compared Bretscheinder’s HTK solution (18 patients) and cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) (49 patients) for myocardial protection in donor heart preservation. Cold HTK solution was infused at low perfusion pressure after procurement and the donor heart was placed in a sterile bag containing HTK solution. The CBC group heart was placed in St Thomas’ Hospital (StH). The heart was covered with ice-cold saline for topical cooling and packed in a container filled with ice. Two patients (11.1%) in the HTK group died within 30 days of surgery due to right heart failure and pneumonia with septic shock. There were 4 deaths (8.2%) in the CBC group due to acute rejection (n = 2), right heart failure and pneumonia with septic shock. There was no statistically significant difference between thebypass time, ischaemic time short term outcomes, creatine kinase/CKMB/troponin I values, length of ICU stay, and hospital stay between the 2 groups. There was however a higher inotropic score in the HTK group at 24 h (P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly reduced bypasstime in the HTK group (P = 0.002). They concluded that HTK was superior due to the reduced pumping time albeit with a higher post-operative inotrope score. A single dose of HTK provided similar myocardial protection as repeated doses of CBC solution in donated hearts. Minami et al.[26] noted an increment in troponin and CK-MB levels if the ischaemic times were > 4 h using HTK solution but concluded that it was still within acceptable limits when compared to other crystalloid cardioplegias CK-MB 25 IU and troponin I 21 pg/mL, with ischaemic time of 263 min).
HTK is an intracellular type of cardioplegic solution. It lowers concentrations of sodium and calcium thereby inducing cardiac arrest by deprivation of extracellular sodium thus preventing depolarisation of the action potential. Calcium channels open leading to increased cytosolic calcium and potentially aggravating cellular injury, indirectly reducing the calcium concentration. Histidine in the HTK solution, acts as a buffer enhancing the efficiency of anaerobic glycolysis. This has been quoted by several sources to be its primary advantage, with its buffering capacity allowing effective myocardial preservation. The Ketoglutarate (α-KG) component serves as a high energy ATP provider during reperfusion. Tryptophan stabilises the cell membranes. Mannitol, an osmotic diuretic is added to reduce cellular oedema as it has free radical scavenging properties thus reducing the extent of ischaemic injury[27].
St Thomas’s solution
St Thomas’s solution (StH) is an extracellular type of cardioplegic solution that induces rapid cardiac arrest by high potassium and magnesium concentrations alongside the membrane stabilising effect of procaine[28]. Addition of a buffer and reduction of calcium concentrations resulted in the formation of No. 2 (Plegisol, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, III.). In a rat model, Plegisol was shown to be superior to its predecessor with lower rates of post-operative ventricular fibrillation, increased left ventricular pressure and recovery of aortic flow[29]. Addition of procaine in this solution reduces the incidence of post-declamping ventricular fibrillation. Luciani et al.[30] group performed a prospective single blinded randomised control trial comparing cold blood cardioplegia to StH (crystalloid cardioplegia). Spontaneous sinus rhythm was significantly higher in the blood cardioplegia group (11% vs. 40%) (P = 0.02) with a higher creatine kinase (P = 0.01) and CK-MB (144 ± 90 IU vs. 102 ± 59 IU) (P = 0.06). They performed a follow up study 12 years later and revealed no difference in terms of mortality (46% vs. 42%, P = 0.7) and cause of death (chronic rejection: 50% vs. 50%; neoplasia: 33% vs. 25%, P = 0.8). Survival at 12 years was 50 ± 12% vs. 52 ± 11% (P = 0.9). Follow-up echocardiogram showed similar mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; 47 ± 12% vs. 49 ± 11%, P = 0.7) and prevalence of LVEF < 35% (21% vs. 18%, P = 0.8). The prevalence of chronic rejection was similar in both groups (42% vs. 32%, P = 0.1), but severe allograft vasculopathy was more prevalent in the St Thomas cardioplegia group (64% vs. 17%, P = 0.04). There were no other between-group differences[31].
Eurocollins
Collins et al.[32] designed an "intracellular" organ preservation solution and is credited to being one of the first solutions to attempt the advancement of organ preservation based on changes that occur during cell hypothermia. The predecessor to the Eurocollins solution, Collins solution, provided reliable preservation and was the organ preservation fluid of choice in abdominal organ transplantation especially renal preservation.
Collins solution has a high potassium content alongside a glucose osmotic barrier. Despite achieving relatively long storage times for abdominal organs, hearts were more susceptible to ischaemic injury and the low protective properties of glucose compounded by the acidotic conditions resulting from glucose conversion to lactate resulted in the addition of mannitol or sucrose instead of glucose as the impermeant[33]. Euro-Collins solution however fell out of favour due to the variability of recovery of hearts at non-uniform temperatures[34].
University of Wisconsin (Belzer UW/Viaspan)
University of Wisconsin Solution (UW) was formulated by James et al.[35] in the late 1980s as the preservation fluid of choice for pancreas preservation. Prior to its introduction, abdominal organs preserved in Collins solution would have limited ischaemic tolerance of about 8 h. Belzer and Southard developed UW solution initially to prolong liver and pancreas preservation. Their initial experiments of canine pancreases were encouraging and used it for liver and kidneys with similarly encouraging results[36-38].
UW solution became the "gold standard" of preservation fluids as it first highlighted the lack of equilibrium achieved by Na+/K+ ratios during cold preservation[39]. It contains lactobionate and raffinose, which are metabolically inert, making it suitable for multiorgan usage. Both these substances which are osmotically active prevent organ oedema. Addition of adenosine provides precursor of an energy source (ATP). Allopurinol with glutathione act as antioxidants[40,41]. UW limited ischaemic damage from prolonged storage and improved myocardial function in the early posttransplant period, thus allowing transplantation of organs with ischaemic times > 300 min[42]. Jeevanandam et al.[43] performed a study comparing University of Wisconsin solution with crystalloid cardioplegia to saline storage and noted a significant improvement in mean time from reperfusion to achieving a stable rhythm, need for intraoperative defibrillation, need for cardiac pacing and CK-MB release over 48 h. They however also reported higher CK-MB levels (335 IU) post-operatively despite a relatively shorter ischaemic time of 153 min when compared to the HTK group of Minami’s cohort[26].
Celsior
Dr Menasche and colleagues developed Celsior solution[44]. They utilised lactobionate and mannitol as impermeants. Celsior also uses histidine as a buffer and glutamate as an energy substance alongside magnesium to stabilise calcium levels. Unlike UW which has a high potassium content, Celsior had a lower potassium content and a high sodium concentration. In canine models, Celsior had a similar cardioprotective profile as UW. Higher concentrations of potassium results in increase coronary vascular resistance secondary to endothelial distension[45,46]. De Santo et al.[46] compared the results of "high risk" grafts vs. "standard" grafts using Celsior. They followed up 200 consecutive heart recipients with 73 in the high-risk group (defined as 2 or more of the following: age > 45, female, high pre-retrieval inotropic support, size mismatch > 20%, and ischaemia time > 180 min) and 127 in the standard group. There was no difference noted between the two groups in terms of 1-year mortality, hospital mortality, histological findings and patterns of enzyme release[47].
Comparison of cardioplegic solutions
Lee et al.[48] combined both the intracellular and extracellular cardioplegic solutions (HTK and StH). In their cohort of 31 patients, they demonstrated non-inferiority to other approaches. The theoretical benefits include the quick initial arrest from StH alongside the prolonged effect of HTK alongside its buffering mechanism. The effectiveness of HTK has resulted in lower CK and lactate dehydrogenase levels in non-transplant cardiac surgery [Table 2][48,49].
Comparison of studies comparing cardioplegic agents
| Study | Year of study | Type | Solution | Cases (n) | Findings | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vega et al.[50] | 2001 | Open Label RCT (Humans) | Celsior vs. Standard of care (UW, STh, others) | Celsior (64) SOC (67) | Fewer patients in the Celsior group experienced at least one cardiac-related serious adverse event | Younger recipients in control group |
| Wieselthaler et al.[51] | 1999 | Open Label RCT (Humans) | HTK vs. Celsior | HTK (24) Celsior (24) | Increased Ischaemic time for HTK group (P-values not given) 2 cases of Acute graft failure in HTK cohort | Similar outcomes |
| Cannata et al.[52] | 2012 | Retrospective cohort (humans) | Celsior vs. HTK vs. STh | HTK (61) Celsior (38) STh (34) | Similar outcomes | Similar outcomes |
| George et al.[53] | 2012 | Retrospective cohort | UW vs. Celsior | UW (42) Celsior (134) | UW is associated with less acute ischaemic necrosis (on pathology) than CS | |
| George et al.[54] | 2011 | Retrospective cohort | UW vs. Celsior | UW (3,107) Celsior (1,803) | In high-risk allografts, UW was associated with improved survival | UW recipient cohort had significantly better haemodynamic readings pre-operatively |
| Kofler et al.[55] | 2009 | Retrospective cohort (humans) | UW vs. HTK | UW (118) HTK (222) | UW demonstrated a significantly better survival | HTK group was derived from historic control |
| Garlicki et al.[56] | 1999 | Retrospective cohort | UW vs. Celsior vs. HTK | UW (64) CEL (28) HTK (132) | HTK had highest mortality | Statistical significance uncertain as P-values unavailable |
| Lee et al.[57] | 2011 | Prospective cohort | HTK vs. Celsior | NA | HTK = Significant reduction in serum troponin I & creatine phosphokinase HTK = reduction in upregulation of mRNA for interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α, fewer infiltrating cells, less apoptosis, and less phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase | HTK- superior protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion in older donors |
| Lewis donor rat | ||||||
| Ackemann et al.[58] | 2002 | Prospective cohort | HTK vs. Celsior | 19 (HTK) vs. 19 (Celsior) | HTK = more ATP after 8 and 12 h of ischemia | HTK = better LV function, less prone to arrhythmic events |
| 28 to 35 kg adult fox hound dogs |
Comparisons between the different crystalloid cardioplegia solutions are difficult to extrapolate due to the lack of direct comparisons. Several smaller animal studies however do suggest potential superiority of HTK cardioplegia over the rest.
Biomarkers
Cardiac troponins have largely replaced cardiac muscle enzymes (CK-MB) for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and troponin I (cTnI) are cardiac regulatory proteins that control the calcium mediated interaction between actin and myosin. cTnT is also expressed in small amounts in skeletal muscles as well. The role of post-operative troponin release as a prognostic factor for mid- and short-term all-cause mortality after adult cardiac surgery is accepted albeit cut-off values are difficult to establish due to the variety of timing of the Tn testing, Tn subunit and Tn assays[59]. Its prognostic value in a transplant setting however has not been clearly understood. CK-MB and troponin I are released immediately after transplantation and depends on myocardial ischaemic damage, which is related to ischaemic time[60].
De Santo et al.[60] investigated troponin release after cardiac transplantation. Data from 362 consecutive recipients were collated over 11 years. Target outcomes included factors determining troponin release, early graft failure, rise in creatinine and operative death. This study depicted the largest group of adult cardiac transplantation patients who had cTnI levels correlated with perioperative morbidity and mortality reported in the literature thus far. The pattern of troponin release observed was similar to that reported by Minami. cTnI release > 10 μg/L proved to be an independent predictor for early graft dysfunction which in turn was a determinant of hospital mortality. Factors that predicted this rise included previous cardiac surgery, left ventricular hypertrophy, increased ischaemic time and transplant status 2B. Troponin proteins are intracellular proteins released primarily from cardiac myocytes undergoing cellular necrosis. Perhaps surprisingly, ischaemia/reperfusion injury following cardiac transplantation may not cause cellular necrosis and occasionally troponin concentrations may not be increased[61].
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is actively synthesized and released from cardiac myocytes in response to ischaemia and inflammation[62]. It is not directly stimulated by surgical manipulation or cardiopulmonary bypass, hence its role as a biomarker for ischaemic reperfusion injury in non-transplant cardiac surgery to predict post-operative dysfunction[63,64]. McIlroy et al.[65] studied the role of BNP as marker for myocardial ischaemic reperfusion in 25 consecutive patients following cardiac transplantation. The median preoperative troponin-I concentrations were almost three-fold the upper limit of normal in both the donor and recipient. The donor BNP levels centred around the upper limit of normal, while in recipients, it was the levels were all markedly elevated with greater heterogeneity. Posto-peratively, BNP had a moderate correlation with ischaemic time (ρ = 0.52, P = 0.01), donor BNP (ρ = 0.45, P = 0.03), and donor troponin-I (ρ = 0.49, P = 0.01). The post-operative concentrations of BNP were significantly higher in patients requiring increasing doses of inotropic support. However, there was no correlation between post-operative troponin I and the measured parameters.
The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as a biomarker for cardiac disease is rapidly expanding due to its rapid release kinetics, cardio-selectivity and plasma stability[66]. It negatively regulates gene expression by prohibiting complementary messenger RNAs (mRNAs) translation into functional proteins. Wang et al.[67] attempted to monitor initial injury to the myocardium and post-operative recovery by detecting levels of circulating muscle-specific miRNAs in 7 consecutive patients. Fourteen controls were also included in their study. Samples were obtained at daily intervals post transplantation. They also collected cTnI levels. Their results showed significant correlation between miRNAs and cTnI (P < 0.05) and the circulating concentrations of both proteins were strongly correlated with bypass time. Circulating miR-133b correlated well with parameters of heart function such as central venous. It also had strong correlations with ventilation time (r > 0.99, P < 0.001) and length of ICU stay (r > 0.92, P < 0.05). They concluded that cardiac muscle specific miRNAs could detect early myocardial injury and possibly predict graft dysfunction and recovery post-operatively.
Novel therapies
The current standard of care for organ preservation of hearts post explant is cold preservation (usually in an icebox). Perfusion of the heart with cold preservative solution is then followed by explantation and storage of the heart at 4 °C. The choice of cardioplegic solution is primarily based on experience of individual centres. The generally acceptable time for cold preservation is about 4 h with ISHLT data suggesting that ischaemic times > 6 h associated with primary graft dysfunction[68]. One of the contributing factors to primary graft dysfunction may be suboptimal organ preservation alongside the role of ischaemia reperfusion injury.
Goldsmith et al.[69] group analysed the potential benefits of reducing the ischaemic time (IT). They analysed survival rates beyond 20 years’ post-transplantation. The study showed that median survival post-transplantation was between 10-11 years. Every additional hour of donor organ IT, conferred a 25% increased risk of death after heart transplantation in the first year after transplant, with a 5% increase thereafter (P < 0.001). On average, recipients surviving a decade post-transplantation could potentially gain 0.4 life-years if IT was reduced to 1 h. This worked out to almost 3 life years saved if IT was reduced to 1 h if someone had IT > 6 h[69].
To overcome this limitation, Hassanein et al.[70] proposed the use of a makeshift continuous perfusion device to permit prolonged storage of allografts.
At 2 h of reperfusion, the hearts that were continuously perfused had higher LV generated pressures and lower lactate levels (myocardial acidosis) compared to the controls in cold storage. Based on Hassanein’s findings, the Organ Care System (OCS), a continuous perfusion device developed by TransMedics, Inc., Andover, MA, USA, was then used in two phase 1 trials, the prospective multi-centre European trial to evaluate the safety and performance of the Organ Care System for heart transplants (PROTECT) trial based in Europe and the Prospective Multicentre Safety and Effective-ness Evaluation of the Organ Care System Device for Heart Use (PROCEED) trial based in the United States. The OCS consists of a miniature pulsatile pump with an inbuilt inline heater. It is also permits monitoring of cardiac output, coronary flow and blood pressure via the attached monitor. A specific perfusion solution consisting of part crystalloid, part glucose and amino acids, physiological extracellular electrolyte concentrations, free-radical scavengers, antibiotics, and calculated levels of catecholamines and insulin alongside oxygenated warm blood with a haematocrit of 20-25%; thus simulating a more "physiological" environment[71].
The PROTECT trial[72] was a prospective study of 20 patients who received donor hearts that had been maintained by the OCS in a perfused and physiologic beating state for a mean time of 3.7 h. The graft survival rate of 100% at 30 days and the percentage of cardiac related complications was 23%. Additionally, OCS was associated with earlier recovery with a shorted ventilation time and shorter ICU stay. The PROCEED[73] trial was a 20 patient, single arm, non-randomized, Food and Drug Administration approved safety and performance study. This study highlighted the importance of lactate concentration during OCS use. Hamed’s group concluded that when using the OCS for donor heart maintenance, the final serum lactate concentrationis the most powerful predictor of graft failure post heart transplant with high sensitivity and specificity[74].
PROCEED II[75] was the first prospective, open-label, multicentre, randomised non-inferiority trial comparing OCS to current standard of care (cold hypothermic static preservation) at ten heart-transplant centres in the USA and Europe. Eligible adult heart-transplant candidates were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive donor hearts preserved with either the Organ Care System or standard cold storage. One hundred and thirty patients were recruited and randomised to Organ Care System group (n = 67) or the standard cold storage group (n = 63). The 30-day patient and graft survival rates were 94% (n = 63) in the Organ Care System group and 97% (n = 61) in the standard of care (P = 0.45). Eight (13%) patients in the Organ Care System group and 9 (14%) patients in the standard cold storage group had cardiac-related serious adverse events. The results were consistent with non-inferiority of OCS vs. standard of care in terms of short term outcomes. Donor hearts in the OCS group had a significantly longer preservation (out-of-body) time, but shorter cold ischemia time compared to standard of care. The longest preservation time with the OCS was 9 h and 7 min thought to be due to the extra time needed to instrument the donor heart into the Organ Care System circuit and optimise the perfusion characteristics.
Donation following cardiac death however is a new avenue which resulted in an increase of available organs. Initially used primarily for kidney transplantation, donor after circulatory death (DCD) was first split into four categories by the Maastricht group [Table 3][76].
Modified Maastricht Classification of DCD[76]
| Classification | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| I | Dead on arrival and have not been resuscitated |
| II | Unsuccessfully resuscitated |
| III | Typical controlled DCD, with planned cardiac arrest |
| IV | Planned DBD that suddenly arrest during or after the brain death determination |
Of these, type I, II and IV are regarded uncontrolled DCD. For these donors, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is typically conducted until organ recovery procedures are employed.
Iyer et al.[77] conducted a porcine orthotopic heart transplant using a DCD asphyxia model. Following 30 min of warm ischaemia, the hearts were allocated to either OCS preservation of SOC with Celsior solution. Following preservation, the OCS group demonstrated acceptable lactate profiles and all hearts out of this group were successfully transplanted whereas none of the hearts in the SOC group could be weaned off bypass.
Dhital et al.[78] then piloted the first case series of Maastrict group III DCD cardiac transplants at St Vincent’s Hospital (Australia) using the OCS. The 3 recipients (2 men and 1 woman; mean age 52 years) received the transplants. After periods of warm ischaemia < 30 min, ex-vivo perfusion was done with the OCS device to resuscitate, assess, and transport the donor hearts. Of these patients, 1 required mechanical circulatory support for 72 h post-operatively, with all 3 patients showing normal cardiac function within a week post-transplantation. Follow up data shows patients are still making a good recovery at 176, 91, and 77 days after transplantation.The cohort included a fourth donor, a trauma victim, who was excluded as the warm ischaemic time was > 30 min (which did not meet the inclusion criteria).
DCD donation however was not pioneered by this group. In fact the first ever cardiac transplant by Barnard was a DCD heart. Boucek et al.[79] highlighted the first case series of DCD donations in the paediatric population owing to the higher waiting list mortality compared to adults. They successfully performed 3 transplants in the paediatric population and found no late deaths (3.5 years post-operatively) with functional and immunologic outcomes similar to those of controls.
In March 2015, the first DCD heart transplant in Europe was performed at Papworth Hospital[80]. While it is quoted that this may potentially increase the donor pool by about 25% in the UK alone, several ethical issues arise from DCD heart procurement. These include the definition of death. While the needs and feelings of the donors and their families are noted, organ viability should be maintained and maximized. Organ donation in itself should not be the reason for donor death[81].
Another point noted by the Australian group was the potential use of OCS for resuscitating marginal donors. An estimated 60% of hearts offered are rejected for transplantation and the introduction of OCS may therefore on paper at least, increase the number of suitable organs[82].
Hormonal therapy
As alluded to, the increasing recipient waiting list has led to the recruitment of so-called "marginal" donors. Brain death usually succeeds a period of variable intracranial pressure in which the term "coning" is often used. The classic Cushing’s reflex of increased blood pressure and reduced heart rate is often discernible through monitoring and can lead to deleterious effects on multiple organ systems if not managed appropriately. There is a compensatory arterial hypertension and bradycardia (Cushing’s reflex) that is followed by sympathetic stimulation with vasoconstriction, raised systemic vascular resistance and tachycardia (a triad called the catecholamine storm)[83]. There is a redistribution of blood volume that prompts visceral ischaemia and in one study, revealed that myocardial injury occurs in 20-25% of DBD donors[84], with echocardiographic imaging of cardiac dysfunction evident in up to 40% of DBD donors[85]. Following this catecholamine storm phenomena, there is a profound hypotension that results from a reduction in sympathetic tone and peripheral vasodilation causing mass hypoperfusion of all organs, potentially resulting in more organ dysfunction[86].
Cooper et al.[87] and Novitzky et al.[88] noted that several animal model studies carried out in South Africa in the 1980s demonstrated the catecholamine storm phenomena followed by profound hypotension occurred with reduction in cortisol, insulin, thyroid, and antidiuretic hormone levels, a switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism and increases in inflammation markers and cytokines. Hormonal replacement resulted in recovery of cardiac function in both experimental animals and humans, thus protecting the donor organs. Registry multivariate studies on hormonal treatment of brain-dead donors also revealed significant increases in organs transplanted and in 1-year survival of kidneys and hearts. Cardiac transplant centres then formed specific teams for the purpose of "optimizing" the donors with the "Papworth Cocktail"[89] of hormones[90]. Multiple studies showed increased organ procurement and a reduction in primary graft dysfunction in transplanted hearts when triple therapy with thyroid hormone, corticosteroids and arginine vasopressin was used[91,92].
Cortisol
It has been postulated that haemodynamic instability in DBD donors is caused by adrenal insufficiency. Nicolas-Robin et al.[93] revealed in their cohort of brain-dead patients, adrenal insufficiency was present in almost 90%. They also noted that hydrocortisone supplementation enhanced systemic haemodynamics and decreased norepinephrine dose by more than 30% in more than half of brain-dead patients with haemodynamic instability.
They also identified several pathophysiological groups based on cortisol levels and Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) response. (1) ACTH responders with low plasma cortisol: this reflected a hypothalamic-pituitary failure (secondary adrenal insufficiency) resulting from direct insult from intracranial hypertension causing ischaemia of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, impairing the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone and ACTH as described by Novitzky et al.[94]. This group responded to tetracosactrin (synthetic ACTH) administration; (2) ACTH non-responders with normal baseline cortisol - suggesting primary adrenal failure; (3) ACTH non-responders with low baseline cortisol: this was probably caused by a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal insufficiency; and (4) ACTH responders with normal plasma cortisol: no pathology within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Ironically, Nicolas-Robin et al.[93]'s study demonstrated that hydrocortisone infusion was more often efficient in enhancing haemodynamic stability in ACTH non-responders than in ACTH responders suggesting that exogenous steroids have a higher likelihood of producing a haemodynamic response when there is no endogenous response to ACTH stimulation.
It is also postulated that the effects of corticosteroid administration could be due to the re-sensitization of α- and β-adrenoceptors pathway which are often altered by down-regulation and later by desensitization in patients with shock treated with catecholamines[95,96]. Another explanation is the "consumption" of cortisol following its initial release by the hyper-stimulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis adrenal gland induced by brain death may be unable to replenish cortisol stores. Nicolas-Robin et al.[93]'s group also noted the effectiveness of hydrocortisone infusion on norepinephrine dose decrease was observed in 25% of ACTH non-responders with low baseline cortisol. The anti-inflammatory properties of hydrocortisone could also have an effect as adrenal insufficiency results from the release of several cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and overexpression of cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin[97-99].
A French study involving 22 ICUs during 15 months to compare two different resuscitation strategies: systematic hydrocortisone supplementation (steroid group) or no supplementation (control group) in brain-dead patients who were potential organ donors was conducted. Eleven centres administered standard-care, low-dose hydrocortisone to brain-dead patients before organ procurement the remaining 11 did not administer corticosteroids[100].
Adrenal insufficiency was noted in almost 80% of brain-dead patients. The average number of episodes ofhypotension and vascular filling volume per hour were similar in the two groups. Although more patients in the steroid group received norepinephrine before brain death, the mean dose of vasopressor administered after brain death was significantly lower than in the control group, duration of vasopressor support use was shorter than in control group and norepinephrine weaning before aortic clamping was more frequent. This decrease in number of vasopressors used following steroid administration was seen in other studies as well[101].
Dhar et al.[102] looked at 132 consecutive brain-dead donors managed before and after changing the steroid protocol from 15 mg/kg methylprednisolone (high dose) to 300 mg hydrocortisone (low dose) and found that the only significant differences were lower final insulin requirements and faster weaning off insulin infusions in the low dose group.
Steroid therapy was not associated with improvements in the recovery of primary graft function in these studies.
Thyroxine
Another change that occurs with brain death is the reduction of plasma-free triiodothyronine (T3) resulting in impaired aerobic metabolism. This causes a reduction of myocardial energy stores and an increased tissue lactate as a result of increased anaerobic metabolism. Novitzky et al.[103] performed one of the pioneering studies in the role of T3 in transplants. One hundred and sixteen consecutive potential donors were treated, alongside 70 recipients with good immediate cardiac function in all but 3 patients, who recovered within 24 h of mechanical circulatory support. They also conducted 2 randomized trials in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization on cardiopulmonary bypass, and administration of post-operative T3 therapy was associated with a reduced need for inotropic support and diuretic therapy in the first study and improved cardiac output in the second study. Chen et al.[104]’s study on rat models suggested that T3 can protect myocytes against ischemia-induced apoptosis, which may be mediated by Akt signalling.
In a study by Jeevanandam et al.[105], donor hearts with statistically higher filling pressures, lower EF on echocardiograms, and higher inotrope requirements were resuscitated with T3 and compared to normal donors not receiving T3. All patients survived the immediate post-operative period, and at 1 week and 6 months there were no significant differences in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, or LVEF on echocardiography. It should also be noted that the donors also received furosemide and dopamine, both increasing renal perfusion thereby being partially responsible for the fall in pre-load and increased mean arterial pressure[87].
Novitzky et al.[106] then conducted a retrospective review on 63,593 donors (2000-2009) who were administered T3/T4. They noted a 12.8% increment of organs from T3/T4-treated donors compared to untreated donors (P < 0.0001). In study 2, a 15.3% increase was noted (P < 0.0001). T3/T4 therapy was associated with procurement of significantly greater numbers of hearts, lungs, kidneys, pancreases, and intestines, but not livers. Multivariate analysis indicated a beneficial effect of T3/T4 independent of other factors (P < 0.0001)[105]. Apart from Novitzky’s work however, there have been mixed reviews on the efficacy of T3 administration. A recent systematic review conducted by Macdonald et al.[107] noted that all case series and retrospective audits reported a beneficial effect of thyroid hormone administration but all seven randomized controlled trials reported no benefit of thyroid hormone administration either alone or in combination with other hormonal therapies. In four placebo-controlled trials, administration of thyroid hormone had no significant effect on donor cardiac index (pooled mean difference, 0.15 L/min/m²; 95% confidence interval -0.18 to 0.48). They noted that there was a lack of consideration of confounding factors in case series and retrospective audits. However, it also notes that of the few randomized controlled trials conducted, the number of patients who were hemodynamically unstable or marginal in other ways, who would have possibly benefited from T3 administration was too small to exclude a benefit of thyroid hormone in this subgroup. A randomized trial by Venkateswaran et al.[108] allocated 80 donors to four treatment groups; A control group, T3 monotherapy, Methylprednisolone monotherapy, T3 and Methylprednisolone and placebo. Pulmonary Artery Catheters were used to guide management, with vasopressin infusion commenced while weaning catecholamines at the commencement of blinded trial medication. The study found no difference in outcomes in patients from all 4 groups. They concluded that detailed donor haemodynamic measurement and management is possibly the most important criteria in increasing the yield of transplantable hearts. In animal models, administration of T3 was shown to improve haemodynamic function before and after transplantation[108-110].
However, this has yet to be seen in prospective randomized studies in human donors. The stance taken by most centres in the UK is to replace T3 only when there is evidence of thyroid hypofunction.
Antidiuretic hormone (arginine-vasopressin)
Antidiuretic hormone is synthesized by magnicellular neurons at the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, stored in neurosecretory granules in the axons that project into the posterior pituitary[111,112]. Given its anatomical location, rising intracranial pressures from the Cushing reflex as described earlier plays a part in the depletion of ADH. Yoshioka et al.[113] first described the role of vasopressin and epinephrine vs. epinephrine alone in 16 brain-dead patients improving mean survival from 1 day to 23 days. The rise in ICP is a cause for neurogenic diabetes insipidus (DI) which is very commonly found (in some studies up to 77% of solid organ donors[113]), and hormone replacement with vasopressin, an effective treatment for DI, would have resolved the haemodynamic instability.
Blaine et al.[114] noted that aggressive resuscitation with crystalloid solutions may instigate intravascular to intracellular fluid shifts thus contribute to the development of both interstitial and intracellular oedema, and ultimately result in profound hypoperfusion of end organs causing the rejection of the organs for transplantation. They conducted their study of an animal model of a brain-dead organ donor, in which polyuria, hypernatremia, and hyperosmolality developed. Low-dose (2-10 microU/kg/min) vasopressin was continuously infused to maintain plasma sodium and osmolality within normal range over the course of the experiments. Cardiovascular function remained stable in both control and experimental vasopressin-infusion groups, with the only significant difference being a moderate rise in pulmonary artery pressure.
Rostron et al.[115] conducted a similar study looking at the effects of arginine vasopressin in preventing neurogenic vasoplegia which exacerbates lung injury. They induced brain death in Wistar rats by inflating an intracranial balloon mimicking coning. They noted an increment in pulmonary capillary permeability, wet/dry lung weight ratios, neutrophil integrin expression and pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum (TNF-α, IL-1β, CINC-1 and CINC-3), bronchoalveolar lavage (TNF-α, IL-1β,) and lung tissue (IL-1β and CINC-1) in braindead animals compared to controls. These effects were corrected by administration of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and norepinephrine to correct the neurogenic hypotension.
Another study conducted by Chen et al.[116] investigated vasopressin deficiency and hypersensitivity as a potential contributing factor to hypotension in organ donors. In their cohort of 50 organ donors, 10 patients were treated with a continuous infusion of vasopressin (0.04 to 0.1 U/min). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), catecholamine requirements, serum vasopressin, and serum osmolality were obtained before and after vasopressin administration. An increment of MAP allowed complete discontinuation of catecholamine pressors in 40% of patients and a decrement in pressor dose in another 40%. Plasma vasopressin levels (2.9 ± 0.8 pg/mL) were notably low for the degree of hypotension. It is likely that haemodynamically unstable organ donors may not only display diabetes insipidus but also have a defect in baroreflex-mediated secretion of vasopressin, for which supplementation would permit catecholamine sparing. The catecholamine sparing effects of vasopressin were also noted by Pennefather et al.[117] in which 24 DBD donors were randomised to receive either saline or low dose AVP. The AVP group had a decreased plasma hyperosmolality (P < 0.05), improved blood pressure (P < 0.01), and reduced inotrope use (P < 0.01), while maintaining cardiac output. Myocardial ATP levels were higher in the AVP than the control group (NS). Kinoshita et al.[118] studied the effects of epinephrine and arginine vasopressin in 10 brain dead patients. Patients maintained haemodynamic stability for more than a week with an initial rise in ST wave changes that was reversible. This was confirmed by a normal level of CK-MB and normal or slightly swollen mitochondria on cardiac biopsy specimens, highlighting the role of both arginine vasopressin and epinephrine in maintaining haemodynamic stability post brain death. Papadopoulos et al.[119] found that vasopressin administration reduced the dose of requirements of catecholamines and contributed to prevention of the post-cardiotomy vasoplegic shock in the patient with low ejection fraction (30-40%) on ACE inhibitors in a double blind randomized controlled trial whereby the group A who were infused with low dose vasopressin and the group B who were infused with normal saline intraoperatively and for the 4 post-operative hours. This further illustrated the benefits of vasopressin out with the correction of neurogenic diabetes insipidus.
Glucose-Insulin-Potassium
Calva et al.[120] first conducted experiments on canines by inducing myocardial infarctions via coronary artery ligation noting the extent of damage to the mitochondria with and without glucose-insulin-potassium regimes in the 60s. Opie et al.[121] conducted similar studies with baboons and noted similar findings, a reduction in mitochondrial damage and decreased infarction and reduced ST segment depression on EKG. Multiple studies have since been done to study the effect of glucose-potassium-insulin (GKI) on myocyte function. Human studies were first pioneered by Sodi-Pallares et al.[122] in which 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 20 patients with chronic coronary insufficiency, with 3 patients showing improvements but 2 patients worsening and a general improvement in the chronic patients. A meta-analysis however revealed no reduction in mortality in patients receiving GKI in randomised studies[123]. They concluded that while it may have had a potential benefit in the pre-revascularisation and thrombolysis era, its benefits are not clearly evident now. Sun et al.[124] investigated the role of GKI for prevention of oxygen free radical injury during reperfusion of ischaemic stored hearts. Comparing known free radical scavengers (superoxide dismustase and catalase) alone and combination with GKI in rat models, they noted that there was no added benefit of GKI infusion in reduction reperfusion injury once reperfusion was commenced, but noted an improvement in the superoxide dismustase and catalase infusion group. A significant improvement however was noted when GKI and the free radical scavengers were combined showing improvement in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, myocardial blood flow. They concluded that free radical scavengers in the presence of glucose-insulin-potassium significantly improve functional recovery in the setting of heart transplantation.Myocardial dysfunction that occurs post brain death is a phenomenon that is ubiquitously reported but not fully understood. It is thought to be related to direct myocardial injury from sympathetic activation[125], potential reduction in oxidative metabolism from the reduction in T3, variability of loading conditions, endothelial dysfunction and impairment of coronary blood flow[126].
Nicolas-Robin et al.[127] looked at GKI infusion in comparison to dobutamine for in DBD donors. They found that a GKI infusion significantly improved the systolic dysfunction comparably to dobutamine without its inherent side effects of peripheral vasodilation, potential arrhythmogenesis, and tachycardia. This was thought to be possibly due to an adaptive hibernating state of the myocardium to reduce myocardial oxygen demand, thereby allowing a longer period of ischaemia without necrosis[128]. Hence the rationale behind GKI infusion is by replenishing the energy supply of the failing heart, by switching metabolism from oxidation of fatty acids (glycogenolysis) to oxidation of glucose (glycolysis) and lactate[129]. This allows restoration of calcium homeostasis and replenishment of glycogen stores by increasing the rate of ATP[130]. Although GKI was not shown to improve mortality in acute myocardial infarction as mentioned above, there may be a role for it in the ischaemic myocardium.
Cottin et al.[131] demonstrated that their cohort of patients with heart failure (Ejection Fraction < 45%), GKI infusion reduced Wall Motion Score Index and increased ejection fraction significantly in their small study. Similar findings were noted in several other studies, including a reduction in BNP concentrations[132-135].
Ischaemic conditioning
Reperfusion injury is postulated to be a key contributing factor for primary graft dysfunction, thus the role of ischaemic conditioning whilst still in its trialling phase may be of benefit. The lack of evidence of benefit in large scale studies such as RIPheart[136] and ERICCA[137] clarified that this intervention does not confer any benefits to patients undergoing CABG.
Animal models have shown potential benefits and cardioprotective mechanisms, but while biochemical improvements were noted by the ERICCA trial (reduced troponin levels), its relevance remains to be seen. Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIC) and remote ischaemic post conditioning (PostC) work on the premise that brief episodes of ischemia and reperfusion to the remote organ protect the heart by a paracrine or neural-reflex mechanism while avoiding additional stress on the heart itself[138].
Thielmann et al.[139] conducted the first single centre randomised, double blind controlled trial of RIC in 329 patients from 2008-2012. They found a significantly lower troponin level (cTnI) in the RIC group compared to the control group and the all-cause mortality was assessed over 1.54 (SD 1.22) years and was lower with remote ischaemic preconditioning than without (ratio 0.27, 95% CI 0.08-0.98, P = 0.046)[137]. Hong et al.[140] however failed to demonstrate any difference between the groups but it should be noted that he included RIC with PostC in 1280 patients and had a much broader composite of outcomes. Hong’s group also failed to record any biomarkers, limiting the end-points to solely clinical outcomes.
Sachdeva et al.[141] noted no subsequent benefit in both remote preconditioning and postconditioning alone or in combination and observed that they failed to attenuate infarct size in an anesthetized rat model with myocardial infarction. There was also no recovery of LV dysfunction induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury.
However, the recently concluded randomized LipsiaConditioning[142] trial studied the effects of RIC and PostC revealed conflicting evidence to this. Using cardiac magnetic resonance to quantify myocardial injury, they showed that combined intra-hospital RIC and PostC significantly increases myocardial salvage when compared with conventional PCI, whereas PostC alone failed to demonstrate a cardioprotective effect in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.
Another article by Pichot et al.[143] however revealed PostC had a significant effect in reducing myocardial injury independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with STEMI.
Ischaemic conditioning has garnered a lot of interest in recent times with almost 500 articles published every year, and 53 clinical trials (phase I to IV) available on PubMed. Of these 37 clinical trials are specific to cardiac surgery alone[144]. A lot of the RIC data in other studies have focused on biomarkers of cardiac injury and not outcomes, which were the endpoints for both RIPheart and ERICCA. To date, no adequately powered and randomised trial has looked at the effect of RIC and PostC in transplantation, and given the recent findings of large trials in CABGs, an adequately powered trial in transplant cannot be justified. The negative results have generated more discussion and questions with better discourse into methodology. For example, in Kottenberg et al.[145]'s study, propofol was a potential confounding factor. Propofol interferes with the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) pathway. A recent study by Kleinbongard et al.[146] looking at confounders that may affect the efficacy of RIC found that patients with an aortic cross-clamp time of < 56 min had no protection by RIC whereas there was solid protection by RIC at cross-clamp times of 57-75 min (ratio of RIC/control = 0.757; P = 0.0348) and of ≥ 76 min (ratio of RIC/control = 0.735; P = 0.0277)[146]. RIC theoretically confers protection against ischaemia but not trauma during surgery (cannulation/handling); thus making it plausible that in longer cross-clamp times, the protection conferred by RIC becomes more overt due to the effect of ischaemic/reperfusion injury. Another recent study what studied the effect of preconditioning with cyclosporine-A (which prevents MPTP opening at the onset of reperfusion, thereby also reducing the incidence of ischaemic-reperfusion injury[147] in patients undergoing elective CABG revealed similar findings, with the cardioprotective benefits noted at longer cross-clamp times (85-120 min) but not in the shorter (50-85 min) group[148].
Iyer et al.[149] utilised PostC in DCD hearts using a porcine asphyxia model and subjected them to warm ischaemic times of 20-40 min prior to flushing with Celsior solution. The solution was supplemented with erythropoietin[150], glyceryl trinitrate[151,152] and zoniporide (Cs)[153], a combination that activates ischaemic postconditioning pathways.
Hearts were assessed for functional, biochemical and metabolic recovery on an ex-vivo working heart apparatus. Hearts with postconditioning pathways activated demonstrated complete recovery up to 20-min of warm ischaemia time after which a rapid decline ensued.
Conclusion
There have been multiple recent advances in recent times with specific interest in myocardial protection. The search for biomarkers however continue to persist and may provide a gauge to quantify myocardial damage. Continuous normothermic organ perfusion remains an interesting prospect that allows transport and working assessment of the heart prior to transplantation. This has revolutionised DCD transplantation thus added more organs to the potential donor pool. Short term outcomes of DCD hearts have been good, however long-term outcomes need to be studied to allow widespread use. The role of ischaemic pre- and post-conditioning remain uncertain in the field of cardiac transplantation. A summation of myocardial protection strategies may be the way forward.
Declarations
Authors’ contributionsWriting: S.S.A. Singh
Conceptualisation: N. Al-Attar
Table design: S. Das De
Reviewing, editing, supervision: C. Spadaccio, C. Berry, N. Al-Attar
Financial support and sponsorshipNone.
Conflicts of interestThere are no conflicts of interest.
Patient consentNot applicable.
Ethics approvalNot applicable.
Copyright© The Author(s) 2017.
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Singh SSA, Das De S, Spadaccio C, Berry C, Al-Attar N. An overview of different methods of myocardial protection currently employed peri-transplantation. Vessel Plus 2017;1:213-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1209.2017.26
AMA Style
Singh SSA, Das De S, Spadaccio C, Berry C, Al-Attar N. An overview of different methods of myocardial protection currently employed peri-transplantation. Vessel Plus. 2017; 1: 213-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1209.2017.26
Chicago/Turabian Style
Singh, Sanjeet Singh Avtaar, Sudeep Das De, Cristiano Spadaccio, Colin Berry, Nawwar Al-Attar. 2017. "An overview of different methods of myocardial protection currently employed peri-transplantation" Vessel Plus. 1: 213-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1209.2017.26
ACS Style
Singh, SSA.; Das De S.; Spadaccio C.; Berry C.; Al-Attar N. An overview of different methods of myocardial protection currently employed peri-transplantation. Vessel Plus. 2017, 1, 213-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1209.2017.26
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