Transplantation proceedings
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There is a wide interest in epidemiologic studies assessing different causes of post-kidney transplantation rehospitalization. However, there is a paucity of knowledge on the long-term survival and graft function of rehospitalized kidney transplant recipients during the first year. Knowledge of posttransplant rehospitalization causes may help guide the preventive program at the first year. In our study, we assess causes for hospitalization and investigate the long-term patient and graft survival after non-fatal rehospitalization in kidney recipients during the first year. ⋯ During the first year after kidney transplantation, rehospitalization was especially required because of infections and renal dysfunction. The risk factors of rehospitalization were cadaveric graft, use of mycophenolate mofetil, use of cyclosporine, and cytomegalovirus infection. To prevent and minimize rehospitalizations during the first year, a specific preventive program based on infection prevention and graft function monitoring should be established.
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This study analyzed hemodynamic recordings collected on a beat-to-beat basis during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The first aim was to construct a graphic that will represent hemodynamic profile during OLT. The second aim was to compare the intraoperative hemodynamic pattern of survivors versus nonsurvivors and those who received a liver from normal versus marginal donors. ⋯ This study shows changes in the hemodynamic profile during OLT, measured on a beat-to-beat basis. Intraoperative hemodynamic changes did not predict patients who did not survive OLT. Beat-to-beat monitoring did not reveal significant hemodynamic instability following transplantation of marginal grafts.
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Prolonged corrected QT (QT(c)) interval and vagal dysfunction are common occurrences in liver cirrhosis and are determinants of mortality in patients with chronic liver disease. We evaluated whether propranolol can affect the relationship between QT(c) interval and cardiac vagal control of heart rate variability (HRV) in cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation. ⋯ The prolonged QT(c) interval observed in cirrhotic patients may be reduced by propranolol administration, an effect attributable to improved vagal cardiac modulation. These findings suggest that propranolol may have a beneficial effect on perioperative mortality in cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation.
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) commonly develops in cirrhotic or noncirrhotic livers affected by congenital hemochromatosis. In patients with congenital hemochromatosis and HCC, liver transplantation is a therapeutic option with a 5-year posttransplantation survival rate as high as 80%. Herein is reported congenital hemochromatosis in a 37-year-old man. ⋯ At 20 months of rapamycin-based immunosuppression therapy, there were no signs of HCC recurrence. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of liver transplantation performed to treat suspected HCC based on the finding of IFF in congenital hemochromatosis, with histopathologic confirmation of the diagnosis of HCC after transplantation. According to this case and the current literature, IFF in patients with congenital hemochromatosis should be considered preneoplastic lesions vulnerable to possible development of HCC.
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In recent years, the People's Republic of China has experienced advancements in organ transplant surgical techniques, growing transplant waiting lists, and stagnant organ donation rates. All of these factors have pressured China to find ways to increase brain-dead cadaveric donation rates to narrow the gap between organ supply and demand. The objective of this work was to review the factors influencing brain-dead cadaveric donation rates in China including legislation, brain-death criteria, and clinical practice as well as cultural and public attitudes toward brain death and organ donation, for comparisons with other countries.