Articles tagged with Organ Transplantation
Pediatric kidney transplant recipients with antibodies are more likely to experience kidney injury and rejection. Steroids do not prevent this antibody-mediated injury, but monitoring recipients for antibodies and customizing immunosuppressive treatments can help.
A team led by Dr. Marie-Josée Hébert discovered a new class of antibodies - anti-LG3 - which can trigger severe rejection episodes and high organ loss rates in kidney transplant patients. This breakthrough holds promise for developing new therapies to prevent or limit organ rejection.
Researchers found that injecting NAC prior to harvesting significantly improves graft survival, with suboptimal organ usage showing higher benefits. The study suggests using NAC during organ procurement to reduce damage and improve transplant outcomes.
A recent UCSF study found that most liver transplant candidates who died or were removed from the transplant list received one or more liver donation offers prior to death/delisting. The study suggests that efforts to reduce wait-list mortality must target multiple factors beyond just organ availability.
UCLA's heart transplant program has been ranked among the nation's best by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), with a silver-level ranking for its high transplant rates and patient survival. The program is one of only seven nationwide to achieve this level, and it has earned a silver ranking twice, including in 2010.
A single gene variant in donors has been linked to a 69% increased risk for long-term failure of transplanted kidneys. The variant affects the expression of the protein that pumps drugs out of cells, which can be toxic to the kidneys.
Researchers estimate that maximizing observation unit potential can result in significant cost savings, with an average annual saving of $4.6 million per hospital and up to $3.1 billion nationwide. This could be achieved by avoiding 2.4 million unnecessary inpatient admissions.
A new study finds that liver transplants performed at night or on weekends have similar survival rates as daytime operations. Patient and graft survival rates were unaffected by the timing of the transplant, with slight increases in graft failure rate noted only at 365 days.
A 27-year-old man received a new kidney after his original one failed, then donated the healthy organ to another patient with FSGS. The successful re-transplant reversed damage and allowed another patient to thrive.
A new study suggests that organ transplant recipients may no longer need anti-rejection medication thanks to the power of stem cells. Researchers are conducting a clinical trial using donor stem cell infusions to 'trick' the recipient's immune system, gradually eliminating or reducing the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
Researchers have found that cochlear implants can restore hearing in organ transplant patients without significant health risks. The study suggests that patients who wait at least six months after the transplant and take the right antibiotic before and after the procedure can achieve successful outcomes.
The current lung transplant system allocates organs based on proximity rather than medical urgency, resulting in sicker patients being left waiting. This can lead to a decrease in the overall benefits of transplantation and an increase in mortality rates for those most in need.
A new antibody, OPN-305, has been discovered that blocks inflammation leading to transplant rejection in mice, suggesting its potential to improve survival outcomes for kidney and other organ transplants. The compound works by binding to toll-like receptors on transplant tissue and turning off signals that provoke inflammation.
A new system for delivering cyclosporine has been developed by scientists at the University of Strathclyde, enabling safe and effective treatment with minimal harm to kidneys. The system uses nanoparticles to deliver the drug orally, maintaining a strong dose while sparing organs from damage.
Research suggests that improving family consent for organ donation could increase rates, with studies showing that only 50% of donors discuss wishes with a family member. Addressing negative beliefs and providing education on brain death can positively impact consent rates.
A team of researchers has identified markers that may enable liver transplant recipients to be weaned off their immunosuppressive drugs. Higher blood levels of iron-handling proteins and specific gene expressions in the liver can predict which patients are suitable for drug-weaning protocols.
A study published in Liver Transplantation reveals that liver transplant candidates prioritize 'best quality' organs over those with a higher risk of failure. The study found that patients prefer to have an equal or dominant role in deciding organ acceptance, and presenting organ quality as 'average quality' can increase risk tolerance.
Patients on liver transplant waiting lists prefer to receive high-quality donor organs, even if it means waiting longer, according to a new study. The research found that 58% of candidates would only accept organs with a risk of graft failure of 25% or less.
New Johns Hopkins research suggests that presumed consent legislation is unlikely to increase organ donation rates in the US. The study found that countries with presumptive consent laws do not have dramatically different organ donation processes than those without such laws.
A new study correlating circadian clocks with transplant success found that arteries of mice with dysfunctional internal clocks became diseased within weeks after transplantation. Transplanted blood vessels from healthy mice remained healthy in mutant mice, suggesting optimal organ function may be key to successful transplants.
Researchers found that high-volume transplant centers used more high-risk donor livers, but achieved better graft and recipient survival rates. The study's findings suggest that increased organ utilization can improve outcomes for transplantation patients.
Scientists at Centenary Institute discovered that liver cells can engulf and destroy T-cells, reducing organ rejection in transplants and potentially fighting hepatitis and other chronic liver diseases. The discovery opens up new approaches to transplant rejection and treatment of liver diseases, which affect millions worldwide.
Substitution of brand name immunosuppressive drug with a generic drug appears to be safe for transplant recipients. The study reveals that this change can lead to significant cost savings through long-term use of the generic product.
Transplantation specialists propose changes to liver organ distribution to prioritize patients with high MELD scores and reduce waitlist mortality. The new model aims to rapidly allocate organs to those most in need, ensuring timely delivery and reducing death rates.
Hospital Clínic of Barcelona applies the first minimally invasive technique in living donors, reducing scarring and improving donor quality of life. The technique uses natural orifices to extract a kidney without major scars.
A new national transplant policy has sliced in half the racial disparities that have long characterized the allocation of lifesaving organs. The researchers attribute the drop to a 2003 decision by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to change the relative priority given to tissue matching.
A new treatment protocol has been shown to dramatically increase the survival rate of patients with incompatible kidneys, doubling their chances of eight-year survival. The treatment involves removing problematic antibodies from a patient's blood prior to transplant and aims to replace them with low-dose IVIg, resulting in an 80.6% sur...
A study of 210 organ transplant recipients with previous SCC found that BetaPV infection is extremely common, with concordant presence of DNA and antibodies increasing the risk for SCC skin cancer. The findings may lead to novel preventative or therapeutic interventions for immunosuppressed individuals.
The waiting list for organ transplantation is often artificially inflated, with inactive patients representing a significant proportion of those listed. This can lead to a mismatch between the needs of patients and the availability of organs, ultimately affecting patient outcomes and resource allocation.
A study of heart and lung transplant recipients found that nighttime organ transplant surgery was not significantly linked to poorer survival rates up to one year after transplantation. The researchers also noted a higher rate of airway dehiscence associated with nighttime transplants, but similar hospital length of stay.
Researchers estimate 500 HIV-infected, but otherwise healthy deceased donors per year could donate organs due to federal ban. Reversing the ban could improve survival rates and reduce wait times for HIV-infected patients with kidney or liver failure.
A new Johns Hopkins study suggests that older, sicker heart-transplant recipients fare significantly better at high-volume centers than low-volume centers. The research found a 67% increased risk of death after one year for high-risk patients transplanted at low-volume centers.
A study found that flu vaccination in transplant patients lowers risk of organ loss and death. Vaccination is safe and effective, contradicting earlier concerns about its impact on transplanted organs.
A new chemical bonding process adds new functions to stainless steel, improving its suitability for biomedical devices. Carbohydrate molecules are attached to the surface, enabling interaction with the immune system and potentially overcoming problems like blood clotting and allergenic responses.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara are studying sea squirts to better understand the immune system's response to transplanted organs. By analyzing the sea squirt's cellular biology, researchers hope to find ways to 'tune' the body's immune response and prevent rejection of donated organs.
An intensivist-led approach to caring for brain dead donors can lead to a greater likelihood of recovering organs for transplant. This team-based care involves monitoring and managing donor bodies to optimize organ function and increase the pool of available organs.
Researchers estimate that lifting the ban on HIV-infected organ donation could provide transplants to 500 patients annually. The study suggests that this change would not only benefit HIV-positive patients but also reduce waiting times for non-HIV infected patients.
Research tracking lung transplant patients living near roads found they had double the risk of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and mortality. The study suggests traffic air pollution is a significant risk factor for lung transplant recipients, with proximity to main roads impacting health outcomes.
A new national program using Carnegie Mellon University's computer algorithm successfully matched transplant candidates with living donors, enabling the first kidney transplants. The program aims to increase the number of kidney paired-donation transplants by creating a national pool of mismatched donor-recipient pairs.
The new pilot program aims to recover organs from deceased individuals who die of cardiac arrest outside of hospitals, honoring their wishes and saving lives. The program has the potential to transform organ donation in the US, making it possible for more people to become donors regardless of where they die.
A new report reveals sub-standard transportation practices for donor organs led to fatal air crashes and emphasizes the need for improved safety measures. The study suggests implementing measures like quality aircraft, two-pilot crews, and aviation safety consultants to improve safety in organ procurement travel.
UCLA researchers have pinpointed the culprit behind chronic rejection of heart, lung and kidney transplants. They discovered that HLA molecules on donor tissue provoke an immune response in the patient, leading to overgrowth of cells lining the inner blood vessels of the grafted organ.
Researchers have identified three proteins that rise in the blood during acute rejection, enabling doctors to halt organ rejection before it impairs transplanted hearts and kidneys. The new blood test will let doctors skip directly to drug dosing before a transplant is damaged.
Two new studies reveal racial disparities in kidney disease among African Americans, including higher rates of kidney failure, premature death, and lower rates of living donor transplants. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing these disparities to improve health outcomes for this population.
Scientists at King's College London have developed protein therapeutics and cell therapy techniques to extend organ transplant life. Protein Mirococept coating protects donor kidneys from damage during transit, while regulatory T cells may prevent immune system over-activation.
A study reveals that individuals with prior non-kidney organ transplants are more likely to be listed for a kidney transplant before dialysis initiation. This trend adds to the list of organ allocation challenges, as these patients have higher waitlist mortality rates and shorter lifespans compared to those with prior kidney transplants.
A decade-long trial confirms that early corticosteroids withdrawal improves graft survival rates, patient survival rates, and reduces cardiovascular events in transplant patients. The study shows a significant reduction in non-PTLD cancer risk among ECSWD patients.
A study has found that kidneys from cardiac-death donors have equivalent graft survival and function to those from brain-dead donors. This breakthrough increases the potential supply of donor organs, alleviating the shortage on the kidney transplant waiting list in the UK.
A new allocation formula developed by Johns Hopkins researchers can predict which donor kidneys are most likely to be delayed or discarded. The formula could potentially speed up the organ allocation process for hard-to-place kidneys, improving transplant outcomes and saving lives.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that a low kidney-to-recipient-weight ratio increases the risk of transplant failure, inadequate filtration, and other complications. The research suggests that matching kidney weight to recipient weight could improve transplantation success rates.
A Mayo Clinic study found a 30% difference in risk for failed transplant between transplant centers. The study analyzed data from 12,233 patients and showed that quality of care, donor organ selection, and geographical location all contribute to outcome differences.
A new study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that the number of living donor organs available for transplant has declined over the past five years, while the number of deceased donors decreased in 2008. This decline has resulted in a widening gap between the number of organs available and the number of patients awaiting a donor organ.
A study found that most kidney donors (86%) and recipients (80%) want to share personal health information that may influence transplant success. However, healthcare professionals are more conservative, with only 61% in favor of sharing donor info in incompatible exchanges.
A third of seniors over 65 wait too long for lifesaving kidney transplants because their doctors don't list them for organs suitable for younger patients but not for themselves. Older adults have shorter life spans than younger recipients, but accepting older kidneys can increase survival rates.
A recent study examines the ethics of transplant tourism, where patients travel to countries like China and India for transplantation. US medical societies have crafted guidelines to advise clinicians on caring for transplant tourists, who may face sub-standard care and post-transplant infections.
The guide highlights key infection risks faced by transplant recipients, including pet ownership, food safety, and travel plans. It provides advice on how to minimize exposure to potential sources of infection and reduce the risk of respiratory, waterborne, and food-borne illnesses.
A new law in Israel prioritizes organ donation for those who have signed donor cards, with increased priority given to first-degree relatives and live donors. The policy aims to increase organ availability despite a low consent rate for donation.
The article discusses the impact of the H1N1 pandemic on solid organ transplant patients and donors. Experts recommend testing for influenza-like illnesses, empiric antiviral therapy, and vaccination with at least one dose of H1N1 vaccine to prevent transmission and severe disease.
Researchers at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute found that survival rates for intestinal and multivisceral transplants increased with innovative surgical techniques, novel immunosuppressive protocols, and better post-operative management. The five-year survival rate rose to 68 percent, similar to other abdominal and thora...
Researchers found that timely treatment of otitis media reduces transplantation failure in organ transplant recipients. The study reviewed 3,278 patients and showed that surgery was more effective than antibiotics or observation alone in managing chronic ear infections after transplantation.