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J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;112:584-589
© 1996 Mosby, Inc.

CARDIAC AND PULMONARY REPLACEMENT

DIFFERENCES IN HEART TRANSPLANT PHYSIOLOGY ACCORDING TO SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Jesus Peteiro, MDa, Francisco Redondo, MDa, Ramon Calviño, MDa, Jose Cuenca, MDb, Gonzalo Pradas, MDb, Alfonso Castro Beiras, MDa

Received for publication July 13, 1995 Revisions requested Sept. 11, 1995; revisions received Dec. 21, 1995 Accepted for publication Feb. 23, 1996. Address for reprints: Jesus Peteiro, MD, P/Ronda 5-4oizda, 15011-A Coruña, Spain.

Abstract

A new cardiac transplantation technique that preserves the shape of the left atrium and leaves the right atrium intact has been introduced. To compare the new and the standard techniques, we studied cardiac physiology with Doppler echocardiography and catheterization in 26 patients who underwent operation with the standard technique (group A) and 11 who underwent operation with the new technique (group B). Right atrial dimensions were significantly lower in group B (right atrial area index 8.4 ± 1.5 vs 14.5 ± 1.9 cm2/m2, p < 0.001), whereas left atrial dimensions were slightly lower (left atrial area index 10.8 ± 2.0 vs 16.4 ± 7.0 cm2/m2, p = 0.07). Right atrial contraction, as reflected by peak late tricuspid velocity, was greater in group B (37 ± 15 vs 30 ± 10 cm/sec, p < 0.05). The subsequent systolic vena caval flow-velocity integral was also greater in group B at all respiratory phases (inspiration 10.0 ± 4.0 vs 5.2 ± 4.0 cm, p < 0.001; expiration 4.8 ± 1.9 vs 2.9 ± 1.4 cm, p < 0.001; apnea 5.3 ± 2.0 vs 2.9 ± 1.9 cm, p < 0.001) suggesting better atrial relaxation. Filling pressures on the right side of the heart were lower in group B (mean right atrial pressure 5.5 ± 2.4 vs 6.6 ± 2.8 mm Hg, p = 0.1; right atrial A wave 6.0 ± 3.1 vs 8.3 ± 3.2 mm Hg, p < 0.01; right atrial V wave 6.8 ± 3.1 vs 9.2 ± 3.2 mm Hg, p < 0.01; right ventricular end-diastolic pressure 5.6 ± 3.2 vs 7.3 ± 2.9 mm Hg, p < 0.05); however, no significant differences were found in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure or cardiac index. We conclude that patients undergoing the new technique exhibit cardiac physiologic improvements. Follow-up study is indicated to ascertain whether this finding implies improved long-term prognosis. (J THORACCARDIOVASC SURG1996;112:584-9)

Orthotopic cardiac transplantation is usually performed by connecting atrial cuffs.Go Go 1,2 Recently, a surgical technique that preserves the shape of the left atrium and leaves the right atrium intact through suturing of the recipient and donor caval veins was introduced.Go 3 Although recent studies have demonstrated a lowered prevalence of arrhythmiasGo Go 4,5 and less tricuspid and mitral regurgitation,Go Go 4-6 hemodynamic studies comparing the two techniques are few.Go Go 3-5 To better understand physiology after heart transplantation, we prospectively studied, by Doppler echocardiography and catheterization, 26 patients who underwent transplantation by the standard technique (group A) and 11 who underwent transplantation by the new technique (group B).

Methods

Studies and patients
We performed 122 consecutive Doppler echocardiographic and catheterization studies on the same day as endomyocardial biopsy. Seventy-three studies were performed on 27 group A patients and 49 studies were performed on 11 group B patients.

All studies were performed at least 3 weeks after transplantation. Study patients with nonsinus rhythm (two studies on one group A patient), more than mild pericardial effusion (one study on one group B patient), more than mild tricuspid regurgitation (five studies on four group A patients), or rejection greater than 2 according to the Billingham scale (37 rejection biopsies [>grade 2], 19 in eight group A patients and 18 in 10 group B patients) were excluded from analysis.Go 7

We therefore present the results of 47 Doppler echocardiographic and right heart catheterization studies performed on 26 group A patients (1.8 studies/patient) and 30 such studies performed on 11 group B patients (2.7 studies/patient). Left heart catheterization was also performed on 10 group A and 10 group B patients. All patients were taking standard doses of cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone. Informed consent was obtained from each patient.

Doppler echocardiography
M-mode, two-dimensional, and pulsed Doppler studies were obtained with a Toshiba Sonolayer SSH-160A system with a 3.5 MHz phased-array transducer (Toshiba, Tustin, Calif.). Echocardiographic M-mode measurements were obtained according to the criteria of the American Society of Echocardiography.Go 8 The tricuspid ring systolic displacement, a validated parameter that reflects right ventricular ejection fraction,Go 9 was measured by M-mode echocardiography from the apical four-chamber or the right parasternal long-axis view. The maximal reproducible value obtained at the lateral level, in a single plane, was considered. Left and right atrial measurements were obtained by two-dimensional echocardiography from the apical four-chamber view and included anteroposterior end-systolic left and right atrial dimensions and end-systolic left and right atrial areas.

Pulsed Doppler transmitral and transtricuspid flows were recorded from the apical four-chamber view. The sample volume was placed between the leaflets, guided by color-flow imaging. Recordings in which the recipient P wave occurred in early diastole or late systole were not used.Go Go 10,11

At the mitral level, we measured peak early and late velocities, early wave deceleration time, and left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time. Left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time was obtained by placing the sample volume between the left ventricular inflow and outflow, as described elsewhere.Go 12 Three reproducible recordings were measured on-line.

At tricuspid level, we measured peak early and late velocities. Three reproducible end-expiratory measurements were assessed on-line.

Right ventricular isovolumic relaxation time was obtained by subtracting pulmonary flow ejection time, as detected by pulsed Doppler at the pulmonary valve, from the tricuspid regurgitation signal time, as detected by continuous Doppler. We obtained 10 heart rate–matched on-line pulsed and continuous Doppler measurements to reduce dependence on respiratory variation.

Superior vena caval flow was recorded with the patient in the supine position. The transducer was positioned in the right supraclavicular fossa, and the sample volume was placed as deep as possible in the vena cava where an adequate color Doppler signal was seen. Vena caval Doppler flow measurements were forward peak systolic and diastolic velocities and forward systolic and diastolic flow-velocity integrals. Recordings were taken at inspiration, expiration, and midexpiratory apnea. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure was obtained by deriving maximal transtricuspid systolic velocity.Go 13 Cardiac output was assessed by combining left ventricular outflow tract dimension, heart rate, and left ventricular outflow tract flow-velocity integral measurements.Go 14 Blood pressure was recorded at the end of each study.

Catheterization study
A percutaneous femoral or jugular approach was used for catheterization. Right and left heart pressures were measured with fluid-filled 7F or 8F catheters. Cardiac output was determined by thermodilution.

Statistical analysis
Data are expressed as mean (± standard deviation). Student t test was used for comparison of groups A and B. Linear regression analysis was used when appropriate. A p value lower than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Patient characteristics
There were no differences in patient characteristics between groups Go(Table I).


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  		Table I. Patient characteristics
 
Hemodynamic parameters
Heart rate, blood pressure, left ventricular diastolic diameter, left ventricular stress, systolic pulmonary pressure, cardiac index and tricuspid ring systolic movement Go(Table II) were similar for both groups.


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  		Table II. Parameters calculated by Doppler echocardiography and tricuspid ring systolic movement for all study patients
 
Left and right atrial dimensions
As expected, right atrial dimensions were significantly reduced in patients submitted to the new technique (group B), whereas left atrium dimensions were only slightly reduced Go(Table III).


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  		Table III. Left and right atrial dimensions
 
Mitral and tricuspid valve Doppler indexes and left and right isovolumic relaxation times
Left and right isovolumic relaxation times were significantly decreased in group B (83 ± 15 vs 95 ± 22 msec, p < 0.01 and 56 ± 22 vs 86 ± 27 msec, p < 0.001, respectively). Peak early and late mitral flow velocities were similar for both groups (78 ± 17 in group B vs 72 ± 21 cm/sec in group A, p not significant, and 36 ± 10 in group B vs 37 ± 11 cm/sec in group A, p not significant, respectively). Peak early tricuspid flow velocity was also similar for both groups (48 ± 15 in group B vs 43 ± 11 cm/sec in group A, p not significant), whereas peak late tricuspid flow velocity was increased in patients submitted to the new technique (37 ± 15 vs 30 ± 10 cm/sec, p < 0.05; Fig. 1).






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  		Fig. 1. Pulsed Doppler patterns at mitral (left) and tricuspid (right) levels in patients who underwent transplantation by standard (top) or new technique (bottom). Top, Patient who underwent transplantation by standard technique. Note reduced peak late velocities (A wave) at both mitral (left) and tricuspid (right) levels. Bottom, Patient who underwent transplantation by new technique. Peak late velocity is reduced at mitral level (left) but is normal at tricuspid level (right).

 
Superior vena caval Doppler measurements
The pattern of superior vena caval flow in patients who underwent transplantation by the new technique (group B) was very similar to that of normal subjectsGo 15 and markedly different from that seen in patients who underwent transplantation by the standard technique (group A; GoTable IV).


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  		Table IV. Superior vena caval peak forward flow velocities and flow-velocity integrals
 
Forward systolic and diastolic flows were similar in group B patients, whereas systolic flow was markedly decreased and diastolic flow was the major forward component in group A patients (Fig. 2). Peak systolic superior vena caval forward flow greater than diastolic superior vena caval forward flow was detected in four studies performed on four group A patients (8.5% of group A studies) in different respiratory phases; at all phases in two studies, at expiration and apnea in one study, and only at expiration in one study. In contrast, this pattern was demonstrated in 19 studies performed on eight group B patients (63% of group B studies; at all phases in six studies performed on four patients, and at any phase in 13 studies performed on another four patients).



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  		Fig. 2. Two-dimensional echocardiography from the apical view (left) and superior vena caval Doppler pulsed-flow patterns (right) in patients who underwent transplantation by standard (top) or new technique (bottom). Top left, Note increased left and right atrial size in patient who underwent transplantation by standard technique. Bottom left, Nearly normal left and right atrial size in patient who underwent transplantation by new technique. Top right, Diminished superior vena caval systolic flow from inspiration to expiration in patient who underwent transplantation by standard technique. Bottom right, Nearly normal superior vena caval systolic flow from inspiration to expiration in patient who underwent transplantation by new technique.

 
Correlations
There was a weak but significant correlation between peak late tricuspid velocity and superior vena caval peak forward systolic velocity at inspiration, expiration, and midexpiratory apnea in all patients (r = 0.31, p < 0.01; r = 0.30, p < 0.01; and r = 0.31, p < 0.01, respectively). Correlation between tricuspid ring systolic motion and superior vena caval peak forward systolic flow velocity was not found to be significant. We found no significant correlation between tricuspid ring systolic motion and time since transplantation (r = -0.01, p not significant). Neither did we observe changes in superior vena caval forward flow pattern or right heart filling pressures during follow-up studies.

Catheterization variables
Right ventricular end-diastolic pressure and A and V right atrial pressure waves were significantly lower in group B than in group A. Mean right atrial pressure was slightly lower in group B. There were no differences in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and cardiac index between groups Go(Table V).


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  		Table V. Catheterization measurements
 
Discussion

In this study of patients after heart transplantation, we demonstrated the physiology of the right side of the heart to be extremely similar to that seen in healthy subjects in the group of patients who underwent transplantation by the new technique, in contrast with what is described as "restrictive physiology"Go 16 seen in patients undergoing transplantation by the standard technique. Differences between the groups in physiology of the left side of the heart were less pronounced, probably as a result of the more similar left atrial size.

The most remarkable difference found was in the superior vena caval flow pattern. This pattern consisted of similar forward systolic and diastolic flows in patients who underwent transplantation by the new technique, whereas diminished forward systolic flow was seen in patients who underwent transplantation by the standard technique. Abolished or diminished forward systolic vena caval flow has also been described in restrictive cardiomyopathy.Go 17 Ventricular restrictive physiology has been found in acute heart transplant rejection,Go 18 and this pattern of diminished or abolished forward systolic vena caval flow has even been proposed as an accurate sign of acute rejection. Other studies have described right and left ventricular restrictive physiology in cardiac transplant recipients with a high rate of rejection.Go 12 The same superior vena caval flow pattern could probably be observed in patients after long-term heart transplantation with several previous rejection episodes. Nevertheless, all studies in our patients were performed during the first year after transplantation, with no acute rejection episodes. The number of previous rejection episodes was similar for both groups, and studies in which more than mild tricuspid regurgitation was found were excluded from analysis.

The cause of the difference between groups with respect to vena caval forward flow must be the differences in right atrial size and performance. An increased late diastolic tricuspid flow in patients who underwent transplantation by the new technique means a more vigorous atrial contraction. This was followed by better atrium relaxation, with increased forward vena caval flow during subsequent ventricular systole.

In contrast, right atrial contraction may have been less vigorous in patients who underwent transplantation by the standard technique as a result of atrial sutures and greater atrial size. The diminished atrial contraction and delivery of flow produced lower systolic right atrial filling in the next cycle. In this case, the right atrial filling was moreover produced in diastole, when the atrium seems to function as a conduit.Go 19

Another mechanism proposed for the superior vena caval forward systolic flow is the systolic tricuspid ring displacement.Go Go 20,21 Such a parameter seems to have less importance with regard to the systolic right atrial filling in these cardiac allograft recipients, however, because significant correlations between tricuspid ring systolic displacement and superior vena caval forward systolic flow were not found in this study. Compared with values in healthy subjects, tricuspid ring systolic displacement was decreased similarly in both groups of patients. The mean (± standard deviation) tricuspid ring systolic motion was 16.3 ± 0.6 mm in 10 young, healthy adult subjects studied by Kaul and coworkersGo 9 and 21.9 ± 3.4 mm in 26 patients studied by Wranne and associatesGo 20 before heart operation. In our overall patient group, mean tricuspid ring systolic motion was 13.6 ± 3.1 mm, which correlates with a right ventricular ejection fraction of 35% ± 8% according to the data of Kaul and coworkersGo 9, whereas mean (± standard deviation) right ventricular ejection fraction in the healthy subjects was 43% ± 2% (as measured by radionuclide angiography). The slightly reduced right ventricular anteroposterior systolic shortening seen in our patients could explain the fact that vena caval forward systolic flow depends more on atrial relaxation than on tricuspid ring systolic motion. The lack of increase of tricuspid systolic ring motion in our overall group during follow-up suggests that right ventricular function does not improve significantly during the first year after transplantation.

The findings of reduced left and right ventricular isovolumic relaxation times in patients who underwent transplantation by the new technique probably indicate better relaxation, because right atrial and right ventricular end-diastolic pressures were lower in patients who underwent transplantation by the new technique. Pathologic causes of ventricular isovolumic relaxation time shortening are high atrial pressures or ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

The study of Sarsam and colleaguesGo 3 also showed lower mean right atrial pressures in patients who underwent transplantation by the new technique, with no differences in pulmonary capillary wedge pressures and cardiac index compared with patients who underwent transplantation by the standard technique. Prevalence of postoperative right ventricular failure was also lower with the new technique. Nevertheless, equalization of right heart pressures was seen at 6 months.

High V waves in patients who underwent transplantation by the standard technique may indicate decreased right atrial compliance or decreased right ventricular function, with the former being the dominant factor. The higher A waves in these patients may reflect an ineffective right atrial attempt to increase flow during late diastole. In fact, this atrium seems to be capable of increasing pressure but not flow.

The reduced right and left atrial sizes, lower right heart filling pressures, and nearly normal superior vena caval flows seen in the group who underwent transplantation by the new technique indicate that the new technique more nearly approximates healthy physiology. Whether these findings imply better exercise tolerance, reduced rate of right heart postoperative failure, or better long-term prognosis remains to be investigated. Moreover, nearly normal right and left atrial size and performance may mean a lower prevalence of atrial thrombus formation and embolism, avoiding the need for anticoagulation that has been found to be advisable by others.Go 22 Abolished or diminished forward systolic vena caval flow has been proposed as an accurate index of acute cardiac rejection.Go 18 Such index should be reconsidered according to the technique performed, and right atrial size should be taken into account.

Footnotes

From the Departments of Cardiologya and Cardiovascular Surgery,b Hospital Juan Canalejo, La Coruña, Spain. Back

References

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