Articles tagged with Transplantation
Researchers debate the ethics of commercial cord blood banking, citing logistical difficulties and low probabilities of use. While some argue for private sector involvement, others raise concerns about exploiting emotional vulnerabilities of parents for financial gain.
Researchers found that adding serum sodium to the MELD score significantly increases its accuracy in predicting short-term mortality among liver transplant patients with advanced cirrhosis. The study showed that hyponatremia was a more accurate marker of poor outcome than serum creatinine.
A new study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery found that older patients who receive a heart transplant fare just as well as younger counterparts, even many years after surgery. The study showed no statistically significant differences between heart transplant recipients aged over 60 and those under 60.
Researchers used 3D MDCT to evaluate patients before surgery and found that abnormal liver artery anatomy increases the risk of complications after a transplant. The study analyzed over 80 patients and found that those with variant anatomy were more likely to experience post-surgical complications.
A multicenter study found that early steroid withdrawal after liver transplantation increased acute rejection rates, but may decrease the risk of long-term cardiovascular disease and mortality. The study suggested that earlier withdrawal could lead to improved glucose tolerance and reduced metabolic complications.
A recent study supports the use of mechanical assistance as a standard of care for treating acute and chronic heart failure, particularly in high-risk patients. The findings have implications for funding artificial heart programs, increasing access to this life-saving treatment.
A study found that patients who received liver transplants from living donors are more likely to experience severe Hepatitis C recurrence. The research, led by Xavier Forns, investigated the effect of donor life status on HCV patient outcomes and discovered a significant association between living donor transplantation and severe disea...
The study confirmed that islet transplantation works for patients with serious and unstable type 1 diabetes, allowing them to be free from daily insulin injections for up to one year. Few treatment-related complications were noted, with minor side effects such as mouth ulcers and diarrhea.
A new study found that lung transplants significantly increase the survival rate of cystic fibrosis patients by almost 4.5 years. The study followed 247 patients with CF who were on the waiting list for lung transplantation and found that the risks associated with the surgery decreased over time.
Researchers identified 13 possible protein markers present in most urine samples from patients with organ rejection, but absent from those without. A urine test using a combination of biomarkers correctly identified 91% of samples, offering a risk-free and more accurate alternative to traditional kidney biopsy.
The study found that 4-MDCT results correlated accurately with surgical findings in 88 of the cases (93%), and specifically with renal vein anatomy in 91 of the 94 cases (96%). This technique offers several advantages over conventional imaging methods, including speed, non-invasiveness, comfort for patients, and greater volume coverage.
A Temple University study found that patients with diseased aortic valves before receiving an LVAD have significantly lower survival to transplant rates. Conversely, those with normal aortic valves have higher survival rates, suggesting the importance of valve repair or upgrade in heart transplant optimization.
A major study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that a bioartificial liver significantly reduced mortality among patients with acute liver failure. The treatment showed a 44% reduction in mortality rates compared to standard supportive care, offering new possibilities for treating this life-threatening condition.
Patients who develop diabetes after kidney transplant experience poorer outcomes, including higher rates of infection and recurrent infections. Tight control of glucose levels is crucial for these patients to remain healthy.
A pilot study found that children who underwent steroid-free immunosuppression had a lower rate of graft rejection after 12 months compared to those who received steroids. The findings suggest no harmful effect on graft acceptance, but further follow-up is needed to confirm the results.
A five-year study found that mechanical assist devices increased survival rates to hospital discharge for 77% of supported children. External mechanical hearts and ECMO provided the safest forms of support in urgent situations.
The demand for kidney transplants is soaring due to type 2 diabetes and hypertension, but the number of available donors is low. Experts at the American Society of Nephrology conference discuss the pros and cons of paid donations, weighing the need to increase the transplant pool against ethical concerns.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University successfully redesigned software for the FUSE satellite's gyroscopes, enabling precise control and reducing reliance on faulty components. The new system has shown improved performance, even surpassing traditional methods in certain situations.
A large international study has found that kidney-transplant patients who receive statin therapy experience reduced cardiovascular risk and mortality. The study's findings support the use of statins as a preventive measure for these high-risk patients, particularly those with mild renal failure.
Researchers investigate how income, race, and Medicaid regulations affect kidney transplant outcomes for low-income individuals. The study aims to provide guidance for policymakers on immunosuppression coverage duration.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Lupus Center and Kimmel Cancer Center found that high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide can lead to complete responses and partial responses in lupus patients who failed standard therapy. The treatment also had fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments.
A six-year study of 100 heart failure patients who received the HeartMate device at Michigan Medicine found excellent one-year survival rates and improved hospital stays. Eighty-two percent of patients were able to go home, and problems with the device have decreased as doctors gain experience.
A study found that approximately 40% of rejected lungs might have been suitable for transplantation, highlighting the need for re-evaluation of donor selection criteria. This could lead to an increase in the number of available lungs for transplantation, addressing a potential shortage in lung transplantation.
Researchers found that 40% of rejected lungs could have been candidates for transplantation, more than doubling the number of potentially suitable donor lungs. The study highlights the need for a prospective assessment of selection of donors for lung transplantation to potentially save thousands of lives.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that revascularization procedures can improve outcomes for lung transplant patients with severe coronary artery disease. The study analyzed 350 lung transplants and showed a 88% survival rate for patients who received combined heart bypass, lung transplant surgeries.
A long-term follow-up study found that only four out of 166 children treated with tacrolimus developed chronic rejection. The patients who experienced rejection had been off immunosuppression for extended periods due to life-threatening infections or complications, but were able to recover once they resumed normal dosages.
Researchers have found a combination therapy of lamivudine and hepatitis B immune globulin significantly reduces HBV infection recurrence after liver transplant, with one-year and three-year survival rates of 92% and 81%, respectively. This breakthrough treatment offers hope for patients with chronic HBV cirrhosis.
According to a University of Pittsburgh study, HIV patients who underwent liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus did not experience further progression of their HIV despite taking immune-suppressing anti-rejection drugs. The study found that all six surviving patients had undetectable HIV viral loads since their transplants.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a common flaw in the dystrophin protein that causes dilated cardiomyopathy, leading to enlarged heart chambers. Using ventricular assist devices can restore the protein's function and improve heart pumping, offering new hope for patients.
Arterial blood lactate measurement can rapidly identify patients at risk of dying from paracetamol-induced acute liver failure, potentially improving transplant selection speed and accuracy. A modified criteria incorporating early lactate measurements could further enhance this process.
A landmark clinical trial at 22 medical centers has found that implanted heart pumps with wearable controls significantly increase the likelihood of terminally ill heart failure patients surviving a year, with a 52.1% one-year survival rate compared to 24.7% for those receiving medication and medical monitoring.
A patient who developed kidney failure after taking Chinese herbal medicine containing aristolochic acid has now been diagnosed with kidney cancer. The authors warn of the carcinogenic potential of aristolochic acid in human beings.
A recent study by University of Maryland researchers found that kidney transplants are more cost-effective than dialysis, even for the sickest patients. The break-even point for kidney transplants was 2.7 years compared to dialysis, saving $27,000 per year for each patient.
A recent study reveals that nearly two-thirds of livers donated by children were transplanted into adults, despite an increase in pediatric donors. This has led to a shortage of organs for children, with alternative procedures like segmental grafts becoming more common.
A new study published by the American Heart Association found that immune globulin injections enabled nine out of ten critically ill patients with damaged hearts to recover without heart transplants. The treatment has shown great promise in treating acute cardiomyopathy, a condition affecting up to 50,000 adults each year.
A study of kidney patients found that those taken off steroids had significantly better one- and three-year survival rates compared to those still on the medication. One-year patient survival was 99% in the group no longer taking steroids, while one- and three-year graft survival rates were also higher.
A University of Pittsburgh study has successfully weaned 41 adults and children off immunosuppressive drugs for extended periods, with 25 patients remaining drug-free after seven years or more. Close surveillance is crucial to manage rejection and prevent graft loss, says Dr. Reyes.
Researchers found that ketoconazole slowed disease progression by 66% in patients with glomerular disease and 77% in those with diabetic nephropathy. However, the treatment accelerated disease rate in patients with polycystic kidney disease. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.