Experimental and clinical transplantation : official journal of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation
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Exp Clin Transplant · Oct 2017
ReviewA "Trapped Heart" in an Octopus Pot: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy; Review of a Rare Clinical Syndrome Following Solid-Organ Transplant.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as "broken heart syndrome," "apical ballooning syndrome," and "stress-induced cardiomyopathy," was first des cribed in Japanese patients in 1990 by Sato and colleagues. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an increasingly recognized syndrome characterized by transient and reversible systolic dysfunction of the apical and middle segments of the left ventricle. This syndrome resembles acute myocardial infarction in the absence of evident coronary artery occlusion. Although the precise pathophysiology of takotsubo cardiomyopathy is still unknown, it seems that it is associated with excessive sympathetic stimulation, microvascular dysfunction, coronary artery vasospasm, and abnormal myocardial tissue metabolism. ⋯ Transplant surgeons should maintain a high index of clinical suspicion and never underestimate takotsubo cardiomyopathy as a potential cause of heart failure following solid-organ transplant.
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Exp Clin Transplant · Aug 2016
ReviewInduction Immunosuppression in High-risk Kidney Transplant Recipients.
Kidney transplant remains the best type of renal replacement therapy in most patients with end-stage kidney disease, even in those with high immunologic risk. Immunosuppression in these patients is regarded as more complex, owing to the higher risk of both acute and chronic rejection. The advent of induction immunosuppression has resulted in a lower incidence of acute rejection and consequently improved short-term patient and allograft outcomes. ⋯ This review article aims to provide an up-to-date evaluation of the various studies available, which investigated the use of induction agents in kidney transplant, specifically in high-risk recipients. It evaluates the use of the most frequently used polyclonal antibody (rabbit antithymocyte globulin) versus the less commonly used monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab, superseded agents such as muromonab-CD3, and potentially emerging agents such as rituximab, bortezomib, and eculizumab. With this systematic review, we hope to inform the scientific community and facilitate this controversial decision through the implementation of robust scientific evidence.
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Exp Clin Transplant · Aug 2016
ReviewInduction Immunosuppression in High-risk Kidney Transplant Recipients.
Kidney transplant remains the best type of renal replacement therapy in most patients with end-stage kidney disease, even in those with high immunologic risk. Immunosuppression in these patients is regarded as more complex, owing to the higher risk of both acute and chronic rejection. The advent of induction immunosuppression has resulted in a lower incidence of acute rejection and consequently improved short-term patient and allograft outcomes. ⋯ This review article aims to provide an up-to-date evaluation of the various studies available, which investigated the use of induction agents in kidney transplant, specifically in high-risk recipients. It evaluates the use of the most frequently used polyclonal antibody (rabbit antithymocyte globulin) versus the less commonly used monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab, superseded agents such as muromonab-CD3, and potentially emerging agents such as rituximab, bortezomib, and eculizumab. With this systematic review, we hope to inform the scientific community and facilitate this controversial decision through the implementation of robust scientific evidence.
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Exp Clin Transplant · Dec 2015
ReviewEx Vivo Lung Perfusion and Transplant: State of the Art and View to the Future.
After the first clinical application of ex vivo lung perfusion in 2001, the technique has been used in many lung transplant centers worldwide. In addition, many modifications have been tested, leading to the development of various ex vivo lung perfusion systems and application protocols. ⋯ Accordingly, the comparison among these EVLP systems and protocols should be an important research target, in order to provide the evidence based medical data that would recommend one protocol over the others. In this manuscript, the current experience with EVLP is reviewed and some molecular and clinical targets, that could be used to compare the various protocols of the technique, are introduced.
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Exp Clin Transplant · Feb 2015
Review Case ReportsLiver transplant for neuroendocrine tumor metastatic to the liver: literature review and report of extirpation at 16-year recurrence.
New information has demonstrated that there are few long-term disease-free survivors after a liver transplant for neuroendocrine tumors. All studies have limited follow-up to 10 years after a transplant. We present the case of a recurrent metastatic carcinoid in a patient 16 years after an orthotopic liver transplant. ⋯ Newer studies have examined molecular features such as expression of E-cadherin and Ki-67 as positive predictors of long-term survival. However, no study has determined the full natural history of these tumors and for how long these patients should be followed. This anecdotal report highlights that late recurrence can occur.