Articles tagged with Transplantation
A study of liver transplant patients found that HIV positive individuals have similar survival rates to those who are HIV negative. However, co-infection with hepatitis C virus significantly predicts poorer outcomes in this patient group, emphasizing the need for targeted antiviral therapy.
A new study found that donor-related risk factors, yet to be identified, contribute measurably to the success or failure of kidney transplants. The study examined pairs of recipients who received kidneys from the same deceased donor and found significant correlations between unmeasured risk factors and delayed graft function and kidney...
A study found that stem cell transplantation significantly increased C-peptide levels and improved glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes, leading to prolonged insulin independence. The treatment has the potential to reverse type 1 DM in humans, but further studies are needed to confirm its role.
A new risk score identifies patients who are likely to receive a survival benefit from combined heart and kidney transplants, based on factors such as peripheral vascular disease, age, and kidney function. The study found that low-risk patients with combined kidney failure and heart failure may benefit from combined transplantation.
Researchers developed computer-generated chains of kidney transplantations that start with altruistic donors, providing a viable alternative to paired donations. The models assign values to donor characteristics, generating pairings based on similar scores and overcoming issues in the matching market.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons suggests that lung transplantation can be a viable option for patients older than 60, as long as they are younger than 70. The research found that mortality rates after one year were significantly higher for patients over 70 compared to those under 70.
The American Board of Medical Specialties approves a new subspecialty in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology, which will provide high-level care for patients with worsening heart failure. The first certified cardiologists will be trained by 2010, offering improved treatment options and outcomes for heart failure patients.
A study reveals that adolescents who undergo kidney transplants have a significantly higher prevalence of psychiatric conditions, including depression, phobia, and ADHD. They also experience educational impairment and social isolation. The study highlights the need for routine screening and support to address these challenges.
Researchers found that blocking off the splenic artery helped six out of seven patients suffering from small-for-size syndrome after a partial liver transplant. This approach improved liver function tests and prevented complications in most cases.
A comprehensive hospital discharge program reduced re-hospitalizations by 30% and improved patient self-perceived preparation for discharge. New immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) vary in detecting colorectal cancer, with sensitivity rates ranging from 25% to 72%.
Younger women have equivalent access to kidney transplants as their male counterparts. However, older women receive transplants significantly less frequently than older men. The study found that for every age group analyzed, women had a similar or slightly higher survival benefit from transplantation compared to men.
A study by American Society for Horticultural Science evaluated direct-seeding short-day onions in southeastern Georgia. Direct seeding was found to be a cost-effective alternative to traditional hand-transplanting methods, which rely on a migrant labor force.
A new set of criteria, called Up-to-seven, has been identified to help select patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who can benefit from liver transplantation. The criteria assess the size and number of tumors, and suggest that some patients who previously did not meet the Milan criteria may still be good candidates for transplant.
A study comparing two immunosuppression tapering approaches for kidney transplant recipients with BKVAN found that reducing immunosuppressive therapy can lower the risk of graft loss. Early withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs within one month after diagnosis reduced graft loss by two-thirds.
A study at Duke University Medical Center found that ventricular assist devices (VADs) have high hospital costs and high early death rates among Medicare recipients. The study analyzed data on nearly 3,000 patients who received a VAD between 2000 and 2006, finding that only half were alive one year later.
A recent study found that racial disparities in liver transplantation have decreased since the introduction of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score system. In contrast, sex-based disparities persist, with women being less likely to receive a liver transplant within three years of listing.
A study found that African-Americans in Canada have better health outcomes after receiving a kidney transplant compared to their US counterparts. Despite lower access to transplants, African-American Canadians experienced similar kidney survival rates and longer overall survival rates than Caucasians.
A study published in Liver International found that Canadian liver transplant centres are more willing to consider patients who smoke marijuana, while US programmes say no, highlighting the need for evidence-based eligibility criteria.
A study analyzing 75 right hepatectomies in living donors found that complications occurred in 30.6% of cases, with biliary tree reconstruction being the most common issue. Despite this, no life-threatening complications or deaths were reported among donors.
A recent US study shows that living donor liver transplants for acute liver failure patients can have high survival rates and acceptable risks. The study found that 70% of recipients survived after transplantation, while the donors experienced similar complication rates as other LDLT recipients.
A new study suggests that down-staging hepatocellular carcinoma can improve post-transplant outcomes for patients who undergo treatment. The research found that tumors with more favorable biology respond well to treatment and do well after liver transplantation.
Researchers have found that cigarette smoke significantly worsens the consequences of viral infections in mice, leading to increased immune responses and airway damage. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the negative impact of cigarette smoke on lung health and may have implications for human disease preven...
A study found that patients receiving kidney transplants who took statin drugs had better survival rates compared to those who did not. Statin therapy was associated with a 36% lower risk of death in renal transplant recipients.
A study of 489 adult liver transplants found that older donors (age 60+) were not associated with negative outcomes in hepatitis C recipients. In fact, patients with and without hepatitis C had similar survival rates, suggesting the practice is safe. The expanded donor pool may help increase available organs for transplantation.
A team of scientists is living and working at 60 feet below the sea surface for an eight-day mission to investigate ways to improve coral reef restoration. They are transplanting corals into shallow and deep sites to study how different species respond to stressors.
Researchers highlight biological, societal, and healthcare-related factors contributing to racial disparities in chronic kidney disease. Healthcare providers are advised to improve communication, advocate for better systems, and conduct relevant research to provide personalized care.
A large US study found that sirolimus increases the risk of new-onset diabetes in kidney transplant recipients. The risk is higher when combined with other anti-rejection drugs and appears to be independent of other factors.
A study of caregivers of deceased lung transplant patients found that they reported poorly controlled symptoms and a worse quality of dying and death process, leading to significant depressive and PTSD symptoms. The researchers highlight the urgent need for improved support systems to alleviate caregiver stress.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is leading the development of external and implantable heart pumps designed specifically for small children with heart failure. The hospital has received a $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to complete the development of an external centrifugal pump, known as PediVAS, which will...
A new CT imaging technique has significantly improved the outcome of living donor liver transplants by enhancing accurate visualization of vital bile duct anatomy. This innovation, adopted by radiologists at the University of Alberta Hospital, aims to reduce screening time and improve convenience for potential donors.
This meta-analysis found that aprotinin decreases intraoperative blood product needs and has no significant impact on postoperative bleeding, thromboembolic events, or mortality. More research is needed to confirm these results.
A combination therapy of Prostacyclin, Sildenafil, and Bosentan improved a young male patient with severe portopulmonary hypertension, allowing him to undergo liver transplantation. The therapy was also used post-transplant to maintain his health.
Bilateral lung transplantation in younger patients with end-stage COPD provides longer survival than single lung transplantation, with median survival times of 6.41 and 4.59 years, respectively. This finding holds true even after adjusting for pre-transplant characteristics.
Researchers found that combining ursodeoxycholic acid and glucocorticoids increases bicarbonate production in the bile, improving liver function. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments with fewer transplants, saving lives.
The review highlights the importance of carefully planned medical management to optimize outcomes for liver transplantation. Doctors emphasize the need for careful assessment, optimization, and timing for transplantation, leading to high long-term survival rates.
A study of 25,647 adult liver transplant candidates found that obesity alone should not exclude patients from transplantation. Patients with high BMIs experience a significant survival benefit from liver transplantation and have similar rates of mortality after transplant compared to patients with normal BMI.
A study on lung transplantation for children with cystic fibrosis found no survival advantage for young patients, contradicting previous research. Pediatric pulmonologist Julian Allen calls for more judicious referrals and social support for families making decisions about treatment.
The study found that a subtle disorder in optimal systemic hyperdynamic state influences portal venous flow, which is crucial for liver regeneration after LDLT. Maintaining an ideal systemic hemodynamic state ensures sufficient splanchnic blood flow and excellent clinical outcomes in cirrhotic LDLT recipients.
A study found that black patients living in poorer neighborhoods were less likely to be placed on transplant waiting lists than white patients. Community poverty was a significant factor, rather than distance from transplant centers.
A small, implantable device supporting the heart works equally well for men and women, benefiting twice as many women awaiting transplants. The device helps patients with severe congestive heart failure, enabling them to leave hospitals and return to active life.
Two studies found a significant increase in five- and ten-year survival rates for MM patients over the past decade, with younger patients showing the most dramatic improvement. Novel therapies have been credited with this trend, particularly among younger patients.
A recent study published in Hepatology found that minority patients do not have worse outcomes after liver transplantation when treated at high-volume academic medical centers. The study, led by W. Ray Kim, analyzed data from over 2,800 adult patients and found no relationship between recipient race and survival.
Researchers found beta blockers to be more effective and safer than banding in reducing the risk of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. The study, published in Liver Transplantation, compared the two treatments and found that beta blockers lowered the risk of bleeding by over 90%, while banding reduced the risk by less than 70%.
Researchers found that immunosuppressive drugs suppress beta-cell regeneration in diabetic mice, casting doubt on long-term islet transplantation success. This could lead to breakthroughs in regenerative islet transplantation and improved treatment for type 1 diabetics.
Researchers at Nottingham University have identified antibodies that can prevent infection with various strains of Hepatitis C virus in laboratory models. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a vaccine, which would significantly improve healthcare benefits for those suffering from hepatitis.
A Japanese patient with liver cirrhosis and HCV infection underwent liver transplantation and was cleared of the virus just one month later. The long-term use of PEGylated IFN may have contributed to this outcome.
Advanced age does not increase risk of death following liver transplant, according to a study. The authors analyzed 26 variables related to the recipients and found that preoperative hospitalization, cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C, and increasing model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were associated with higher death rates.
Two studies have found significant gender-based differences in newborns' hearts and livers that may explain why female infant deaths are higher after heart surgery and pediatric liver transplants are less successful. Newborn girls' hearts accumulate more acid during ischemia, which may lead to injury, while their livers produce more an...
Researchers found that hospital mortality increased significantly according to the Child-Pugh classification, with a mortality rate of 10 percent for those with class A, 18 percent for those with class B, and 67 percent for those with class C. Postoperative complications were also higher in class B and C than in class A.
A new algorithm developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers can create matches for three- and four-way kidney exchanges, increasing the efficiency of kidney exchanges. The algorithm has already been used by the Alliance for Paired Donation, a kidney exchange program, to identify potential transplants and improve transplant rates.
A recent study published in Liver Transplantation found that more than 78 percent of living right liver donors experienced post-operative complications, with most being minor but some life-threatening. The modified Clavien system was used to classify the severity of complications, with Grade I being minor and Grade V resulting in death.
UPMC has started a study using the VentrAssist LVAD, a mechanical blood pump to assist the heart in pumping blood around the body. The study aims to enroll 30 patients for a multi-center feasibility trial to explore its safety and effectiveness as a bridge to transplantation.
Researchers have successfully transplanted human gut microbes into mice, providing insights into the metabolic system and its effects on fat absorption and digestion. The study found that gut microbes influence bile acid metabolism and fiber breakdown, impacting overall health.
A recent study found that obesity is a significant barrier to living kidney donation among African Americans, with over 30% of black donors excluded due to obesity. Social reasons, including failure to complete the donor evaluation process, also contribute to the low rates of donation.
A recent study found that CT and MRI are highly accurate in determining optimal candidates for liver transplantation in patients with cirrhosis. The study demonstrated agreement between radiology and pathology staging in 96.5-97.5% of patients, supporting the use of imaging tools in candidate selection.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CE-US) is highly accurate in identifying vascular and biliary complications after liver transplant, affecting up to 43.5% of patients. CE-US can accurately detect complications such as hepatic artery thrombosis, portal vein stenosis, and bile leaks.
A study of HCV patients post-liver transplantation reveals stagnant survival rates, contrasting with improving outcomes for non-HCV recipients. Researchers analyzed a large sample of US liver transplant data between 1991 and 2001, finding HCV patients had lower 3-year survival rates and no improvement in survival over time.
A study of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and complications of portal hypertension reveals significant racial disparities in treatment, with African-American and Hispanic patients less likely to receive palliative shunts, liver transplants, and prompt endoscopy. These disparities were independent of health insurance status.
A 4-step process can be completed quickly and efficiently to assess potential living liver donors. Despite challenges, the process results in a significant proportion of donors undergoing successful transplantation, emphasizing the importance of careful workup and informed consent.
A new implantable device has shown to effectively maintain heart function in transplant-listed patients, improving survival rates and quality of life. The study also explores the benefits of diuretic therapies in supporting left ventricular function, with promising results.