Articles tagged with Organ Transplantation
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new study reveals that kidneys recovered from deceased donors with acute renal failure can function just as well as those from healthy donors, opening up a significant expansion of the donor kidney pool. This could lead to an additional 1,000 kidneys or more per year being made available to patients waiting for a transplant.
Almost half of older kidney transplant candidates (over 60) will die before receiving a transplant due to increased wait times. Researchers urge these patients to consider live-donor options to improve survival chances.
A new study projects that nearly half of older patients currently on the kidney transplant waiting list will die before receiving an organ from a deceased donor. The study found significant variations in mortality rates across different transplant regions and patient groups, including African Americans and those aged 70 or older.
A new study reveals that double-lung transplants significantly improve long-term survival rates compared to single lung transplants. The research found that immune system matching and college education also play crucial roles in extending life after lung transplant surgery.
A study by the University of California San Francisco found that US and foreign transplant physicians express serious concern about organ procurement in China, citing coercion of organ donors and substandard medical practices. The majority of doctors surveyed would not provide post-transplantation care to patients who underwent liver t...
A recent study by Marcello Tonelli and colleagues found no correlation between remote or rural residence and increased time to kidney transplantation in the US. The likelihood of receiving a transplant from a deceased or living donor was similar among patients dwelling farther away, suggesting disparities may not be solely due to location
A study found that TV networks spend little time discussing organ donation needs and registration processes, resulting in inadequate coverage of the topic. The researchers analyzed over 1,500 stories and found that only 94% of positive health outcomes for living donors were mentioned.
A new Clinical Research Chair in Transplantation has been established at the University of Western Ontario to improve organ transplant outcomes for patients like Pat Davis, who received a kidney transplant after being told it was impossible.
The study found that institutions performing at least 20 lung transplants annually have the best overall patient survival rates and lowest number of deaths from the complex surgery. High-volume centers see over 95% chance of survival for organ recipients within the first month of recovery.
Researchers developed nomograms to predict long-term kidney transplant success and refine patient selection for living donor transplants. The models analyzed over 20,000 cases and identified key donor and recipient characteristics impacting transplant outcomes.
A Johns Hopkins study found that HIV-positive kidney transplant recipients can achieve one-year survival rates comparable to those without HIV, provided key risk factors for transplant failure are recognized and controlled. The study's results reflect the impact of newer antiretroviral therapies on reducing HIV-related deaths.
Research found that patients with hepatitis C who receive livers with high levels of fatty deposits have a more frequent and earlier viral recurrence. Graft survival is inversely proportional to donor liver steatosis, particularly when grafts contain greater than 30% fat and are subject to extended cold ischemic time.
A study found that women over 45 are significantly less likely to be placed on a kidney transplant list than their male counterparts, even though they have an equal chance of survival. The likelihood of being listed decreased incrementally with increasing age, from 3% for women aged 46-55 to 59% for those over 75.
UT Southwestern University Hospital has received awards for its successful efforts to increase organ donation rates, surpassing the 75 percent goal among eligible donors. The hospital achieved this feat through a combination of effective strategies and strong transplant team leadership.
Scientists are investigating methods to selectively suppress the immune response in transplanted organs, inspired by fetal development. Researchers will explore increasing IDO levels to improve transplant survival and look for biomarkers to detect rejection episodes.
The Declaration of Istanbul sets forth recommendations to prevent organ trafficking, including programs to prevent organ failure and maximize deceased donation. Organ trafficking has been linked to increased post-transplant complications and a higher incidence of acute rejection and severe infections.
Kidney transplant wait times vary widely across the US, with some patients waiting just one year and others up to 10 years. Experts will discuss issues and possible solutions for these inequities in organ allocation policies.
A presumed consent system for organ donation could tackle the UK's growing waiting list by encouraging people to talk about their wishes. This approach aims to increase the supply of organs available for transplant, reducing demand on the black market.
Researchers found extensive bidirectional transfer of MHC molecules between donor and recipient cells, making transplanted organs 'invisible' to the immune system. This discovery has major medical implications for organ transplantation, potentially reducing rejection and increasing effectiveness.
China has introduced new regulations for organ transplantation that ban financial rewards for donors and establish safeguards to prevent exploitation. The changes have led to a significant decrease in transplants from dead donors and an increase in living donor transplants.
Kidney transplant specialists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed innovative laboratory techniques to improve opportunities for highly sensitized patients. The new technology uses solid phase assays to predict patient risk and improve transplant success rates.
The Declaration of Istanbul condemns unethical practices in organ donation and transplantation, urging governments to safeguard patient safety and prevent organ trafficking. The document promotes deceased organ donation and living donor protection.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking procedure using tailor-made regulatory cells to avoid lifelong drug use for transplant patients. The technique shows promising findings and has been tested in clinical trials on 17 kidney transplant patients, with encouraging results.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine team proposes a new policy requiring transplant programs to disclose all foreseeable risks of the surgery to potential recipients at the waiting list. This change aims to promote greater equity in organ allocation and restrict 'cherry-picking' of organs from suitable but suboptimal donors.
A new arenavirus has been discovered in three transplant recipients who died in Victoria, Australia in April 2007. The virus was identified through rapid sequencing technology and subsequent characterization, revealing a strain sufficiently different from existing screening methods.