Background: Swine are frequently used as animal model for cardiovascular research, especially in terms of representativity of human anatomy and physiology. Reference values for the most common species used in research are important for planning and execution of animal testing. Transesophageal echocardiography is the gold standard for intraoperative imaging, but can be technically challenging in swine. Its predecessor, epicardial echocardiography (EE), is a simple and fast intraoperative imaging technique, which allows comprehensive and goal-directed assessment. However, there are few echocardiographic studies describing echocardiographic parameters in juvenile swine, none of them using EE. Therefore, in this study, we provide a comprehensive dataset on multiple geometric and functional echocardiographic parameters, as well as basic hemodynamic parameters in swine using EE. Methods: The data collection was performed during animal testing in ten female swine (German Landrace, 104.4 ± 13.0 kg) before left ventricular assist device implantation. Hemodynamic data was recorded continuously, before and during EE. The herein described echocardiographic measurements were acquired according to a standardized protocol, encompassing apical, left ventricular short axis and long axis as well as epiaortic windows. In total, 50 echocardiographic parameters and 10 hemodynamic parameters were assessed. Results: Epicardial echocardiography was successfully performed in all animals, with a median screening time of 14 min (interquartile range 11–18 min). Referring to left ventricular function, ejection fraction was 51.6 ± 5.9% and 51.2 ± 6.2% using the Teichholz and Simpson methods, respectively. Calculated ventricular mass was 301.1 ± 64.0 g, as the left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters were 35.3 ± 2.5 mm and 48.2 ± 3.5 mm, respectively. The mean heart rate was 103 ± 28 bpm, mean arterial pressure was 101 ± 20 mmHg and mean flow at the common carotid artery was 627 ± 203 mL/min. Conclusion: Epicardial echocardiography allows comprehensive assessment of most common echocardiographic parameters. Compared to humans, there are important differences in swine with respect to ventricular mass, size and wall thickness, especially in the right heart. Most hemodynamic parameters were comparable between swine and humans. This data supports study planning, animal and device selection, reinforcing the three R principles in animal research. Graphical

Background: Perioperative echocardiography is of paramount importance during cardiac surgery. Nonetheless, in the experimental large‐animal setting, it might be challenging obtaining optimal imaging when using conventional imaging acquisition techniques, such as transthoracic and transesophageal screenings. Open‐chest surgery allows epicardial echocardiographic assessment with direct contact between probe and heart, thus providing superior quality. Standard protocols regarding the use of epicardial ultrasound in swine for research purposes are lacking.Methods: Epicardial echocardiography was performed in 10 female German Landrace pigs undergoing cardiac surgery. A structured and comprehensive protocol for epicardial echocardiography was elaborated including apical, ventricular long and short axis, as well as epiaortic planes. All experiments were approved by the local board for animal welfare and conducted in accordance with the German animal protection law (TierSchG) and the ARRIVE guidelines.Conclusions: Systematic protocols using epicardial echocardiography may serve as an additional tool to assess cardiac dimensions and function in experimental scenarios with swine models.

A novel accessory directing the blood from the outflow of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) back through the left ventricular apex and across the aortic valve allows LVAD implantation via the left ventricular apex solely but may affect the LVAD performance. We quantified the effect of the accessory on LVAD flow and pressure head in vitro. In a mock circulatory loop, a centrifugal-flow LVAD (HeartMate 3, Abbott, Abbott Park, IL, USA) with (Accessory) and without the accessory (Control) was compared under physiological conditions using a water/glycerol solution as a blood substitute. The pump was operated at 4000, 5200, and 6400 rpm and 5 different resistance levels. Flow, inlet, and outlet pressure were measured, and pressure head was calculated. Compared to the Control, flow and pressure head in the Accessory group were reduced by an overall average of 0.26 L/min and 9.9 mmHg (all speeds and resistance levels). The highest decline in flow and pressure head occurred at the lowest resistance levels. In conclusion, the accessory leads to a reduction of LVAD flow and pressure head that is enhanced by decreases in resistance. Future developments in the LVAD accessory’s design may reduce these effects and allow unimpaired LVAD performance and minimally invasive device implantation.

A new accessory was developed to allow implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) without requiring an anastomosis to the ascending aorta. The accessory combines the LVAD inflow and outflow into a dual-lumen device. Initial prototypes encountered reduced pump performance in vitro, but a second-generation prototype successfully addressed this issue. This feasibility study aimed to demonstrate the anatomic fit, safe implantation, and hemodynamic effectiveness of the LVAD with the accessory. The accessory was implanted in ten female pigs (104 ± 13 kg). Following sternotomy and apical coring under cardiopulmonary bypass, a balloon catheter was retrogradely inserted and exteriorized through the coring site, where it was inflated within the distal third of the outflow graft. It was utilized to pull the accessory’s outflow across the aortic valve. After LVAD attachment, the catheter was removed. Echocardiography revealed no relevant valve regurgitation post-implantation. During ramp testing, pump flow increased from 3.7 ± 1.2 to 5.4 ± 1.2 L/min. Necropsy confirmed correct accessory placement in nine animals. No valve lesions or device thrombosis were observed. The accessory enabled LVAD implantation without compromising pump performance. Future work includes design refinements for implantation without cardiopulmonary bypass and long-term testing in a chronic heart failure model.

Anatomic anomalies in the ascending aorta may impair the implantation and testing of cardiovascular devices in humans and animal models. We present the rare case of an intra-aortic band in a German Landrace pig. During terminal animal testing, the band hindered the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with transventricular outflow graft across the aortic valve. After lower partial sternotomy, epicardial echocardiography displayed an intraluminal echogenic structure at the sinotubular junction causing unspecific flow turbulences. Under cardiopulmonary bypass, coring of the left ventricular apex was performed. Due to strong resistance in the proximal aorta, accurate positioning of the transventricular LVAD outflow graft was impossible. After euthanasia, necropsy revealed a fibrous band located at the sinotubular junction, dividing the lumen of the ascending aorta. The occurrence of an intra-aortic band represents an extremely rare case of a most likely congenital anomaly. Awareness of such anomalies is important for planning and performing animal testing. Perioperative echocardiography may help to either remove such anomalies or allow discontinuing the procedure prior to device implantation.

This study aimed to evaluate the acute treatment of patients with severe aortic valve stenosis in Germany. Three treatment strategies in 11,027 patients acutely admitted due to aortic valve stenosis were compared from 2014 until 2018 using German nationwide records: The annual number of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures (1,294 to 1,827) and balloon valvuloplasty (BV only) procedures (170 to 233) in patients acutely admitted increased, but surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) procedures decreased (426 to 316). In comparison to BV only patients (mean age 81.3; EuroSCORE 23.2) SAVR patients were younger and at lower logistic EuroSCORE (mean age 66.9; EuroSCORE 9.4). Patients treated with TAVR were at comparable age and operative risk (mean age 81.3; EuroSCORE 24.4) as those patients treated with BV only. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Reimbursement was considered secondary outcome. After risk adjustment using multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses, SAVR (OR 0.26 [96%CI 0.16;0.45], p < 0.001) and TAVR (OR 0.38 [0.29;0.49], p < 0.001) were associated with lower risk for mortality compared to BV only. Compared to BV only, hospitalization costs of patients undergoing SAVR were reduced by €5,578 ([95%CI €8,023; €3,133], p < 0.001). TAVR procedures were associated with higher hospitalization costs than BV only (risk-adjusted difference €4,143 [€2,330; €5,926], p < 0.001). BV only was associated with a substantially increased risk of in-hospital mortality in acute patients. We conclude that a definitive aortic valve replacement should be preferred as primary treatment in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis causing an acute admission.