Clinical transplantation
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Clinical transplantation · Jan 2011
Lack of association between decompressive craniectomy and conversion to donor status.
There has been a recent resurgence in the use of decompressive craniectomy (DC) following severe brain injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate any association between DC and solid organ donation. We performed a retrospective, single-center, cohort study involving referrals to the local organ procurement organization, excluding those with anoxic brain injury. ⋯ The most common reason eligible patients failed to convert to donor status was failure to pursue organ procurement because of the belief that the patient would not progress to neurological death or be a candidate for donation following cardiac death. Decompressive craniectomy was not uncommon among referrals to organ procurement organizations who ultimately become solid organ donors. Continued communication between the organ donation coordinators and the treating team has potential to decrease missed opportunities for organ donation.
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Clinical transplantation · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA randomized, placebo-controlled trial of aprotinin to reduce primary graft dysfunction following lung transplantation.
Severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is the major early problem following lung transplantation. Aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, has many anti-inflammatory properties that might reduce or prevent lung injury. Our hypothesis was that the incidence of PGD could be reduced by a combination of donor lung perfusion and systemic administration of aprotinin to recipients. ⋯ There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of the primary endpoint between groups in the study. Excess renal failure related to aprotinin administration in a patient population at high risk for the event was not observed.