Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation : an official publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia
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Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl · May 2014
Observational StudyPlasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and plasma cystatin C (CysC) as biomarker of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious condition that frequently occurs after cardiopulmonary bypass and other cardiac surgeries. The objective of this work is to evaluate the utility of new markers for kidney damage, plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and plasma cystatin C (CysC) as early predictors of AKI after cardiac surgery. Fifty cardiac patients were recruited for this study, and they were divided into two groups of 25 patients each. ⋯ The sensitivity and specificity of NGAL at 3 h post-operative was 94.1% and 93.9% respectively, while plasma CysC sensitivity and specificity was 54.7% and 72.7%, respectively. After 6 h post-operative, NGAL sensitivity increased to 98.1% with slight decrease of the specificity to 91.9%, while CysC sensitivity and specificity increased to 75.2% and 75.8%, respectively. In conclusion, plasma NGAL and plasma CysC may be considered as early predictors of AKI after cardio-pulmonary bypass operations.
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Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl · May 2014
Potential brain death organ donors - challenges and prospects: a single center retrospective review.
Organ donation after brain death (BD) is a major source for obtaining transplantable organs for patients with end-stage organ disease (ESOD). This retrospective, descriptive study was carried out on all potential BD patients admitted in different intensive care units (ICUs) of the Hamad medical Corporation (HMC), Doha, Qatar during a period from January 2011 to April 2012. Our aim was to evaluate various demographic criteria and challenges of organ donation among potential BD organ donors and plan a strategy to improve the rate of organ donation in Qatar. ⋯ Time interval between diagnosing fixed dilated pupil and performing the first test of BD was delayed >24 h in 79% of the cases and between the first and second BD tests was >6 h in 70.8% of the cases. This delay is not compatible with the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) policy for BD diagnosis and resulted in a low number of organs retrieved. BD organ donation, a potential source for organs to save patients with ESOD has several pitfalls and every effort should be made to increase the awareness of the public as well as medical personnel to optimize donation efficacy.
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Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl · Mar 2014
Case ReportsCrescentic glomerulonephritis in non-asthmatic Churg-Strauss syndrome.
A 58-year-old male presented with sensory motor polyneuropathy and rapidly progressive renal failure. Investigations revealed marked peripheral eosinophilia and elevated perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titers. Renal biopsy showed pauci-immune cre-scentic glomerulonephritis with interstitial eosinophil infiltrates. ⋯ A diagnosis of non-asthmatic variant of Churg-Strauss syndrome was made. Renal recovery was achieved in 12 weeks with a combination therapy of corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide. The patient has been relapse-free for 12 months on oral prednisolone therapy.
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Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl · Jan 2014
Predictors of public attitude toward living organ donation in Kano, northern Nigeria.
Organ shortage is a major public health challenge for transplant programs globally. The sustenance of such programs as an effective therapy for end-stage organ failure (ESOF) requires an exploration of public awareness and willingness to donate organs. This is imperative, especially in developing countries where ESOF is highly prevalent. ⋯ Reasons for willingness to donate organs included religion (51.2%), moral obligation (21.4%) and compassion (11.9%), among others. However, there was widespread ignorance of religious precepts concerning organ donation. The high level of awareness and willingness to donate organs in this society could be further enhanced by intensive information, education and communication strategies providing clear messages on societal benefits, religious aspects and bioethical guidance regarding organ donation.