Vascularized composite allotransplantation in the United States: A descriptive analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Data

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 865-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wida S. Cherikh ◽  
Linda C. Cendales ◽  
Christopher L. Wholley ◽  
Jennifer Wainright ◽  
Vijay S. Gorantla ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
pp. 152692482110246
Author(s):  
Darryl C. Nethercot ◽  
Mita Shah ◽  
Lisa M. Stocks ◽  
Jeffrey M. Trageser ◽  
Victor Pretorius ◽  
...  

As organ procurement organizations nationwide see an increased opportunity to retransplant already transplanted hearts, we would like to share the overview and process of our 2 successful cases. Heart retransplantation increased our cardiac placement rates by 2.64% and 2% in 2015 and 2019, respectively. Spread across a nation that sees over 3500 heart placements annually, a 2% increase would be substantial. Since 2009, our cases stand as the only documented heart retransplantations in the United States. However, United Network for Organ Sharing data shows that potential exists. From a facilitation perspective, we have developed a protocol to ease the matching process. From a surgical perspective, these cases had no complications and saved 2 lives, with each heart now beating in a third person. We hope that by sharing our process and success, we can familiarize fellow organ procurement organizations and transplant communities with this viable opportunity.


The Forum ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 627-650
Author(s):  
Jamie L. Carson ◽  
Spencer Hardin ◽  
Aaron A. Hitefield

Abstract The 2020 elections brought to an end one of the most divisive and historic campaigns in the modern era. Former Vice President Joe Biden was elected the 46th President of the United States with the largest number of votes ever cast in a presidential election, defeating incumbent President Donald Trump in the process. The record turnout was especially remarkable in light of the ongoing pandemic surrounding COVID-19 and the roughly 236,000 Americans who had died of the virus prior to the election. This article examines the electoral context of the 2020 elections focusing on elections in both the House and Senate. More specifically, this article examines the candidates, electoral conditions, trends, and outcomes in the primaries as well as the general election. In doing so, we provide a comprehensive descriptive analysis of the climate and outcome of the 2020 congressional elections. Finally, the article closes with a discussion of the broader implications of the election outcomes on both the incoming 117th Congress as well as the upcoming 2022 midterm election.


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012225
Author(s):  
Conall Francoeur ◽  
Matthew J Weiss ◽  
Jennifer M Macdonald ◽  
Craig Press ◽  
David Matthew Greer ◽  
...  

Objective:To determine the variability in pediatric death by neurologic criteria (DNC) protocols between US pediatric institutions and compared to the 2011 DNC guidelines.Methods:Cross-sectional study of DNC protocols obtained from pediatric institutions in the United States (US) via regional organ procurement organizations. Protocols were evaluated across five domains: general DNC procedures, prerequisites, neurologic examination, apnea testing and ancillary testing. Descriptive statistics compared protocols to each other and the 2011 guidelines.Results:One hundred and thirty protocols were analyzed with 118 dated after publication of the 2011 guidelines. Of those 118 protocols, identification of a mechanism of irreversible brain injury was required in 97%, while 67% required an observation period after acute brain injury before DNC evaluation. Most protocols required guideline-based prerequisites such as exclusion of hypotension (94%), hypothermia (97%), and metabolic derangements (92%). On neurologic examination, 91% required a lack of responsiveness, 93% no response to noxious stimuli, and 99% loss of brainstem reflexes. 84% of protocols required the guideline-recommened two apnea tests. CO2 targets were consistent with guidelines in 64%. Contrary to guidelines, fifteen percent required ancillary testing for all patients and 15% permitted ancillary studies that are not validated in pediatrics.Conclusionsand Relevance: Variability exists between pediatric institutional DNC protocols in all domains of DNC determination, especially with respect to apnea and ancillary testing. Better alignment of DNC protocols with national guidelines may improve the consistency and accuracy of DNC determination.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreea M. Catana ◽  
Michael P. Curry

The first liver transplantation (LT) was performed in 1963, and currently more than 65,000 people in the United States are living with a transplanted liver. In 2012, the number of adults who registered on the LT waiting list decreased for the first time since 2002; 10,143 candidates were added compared with 10,359 in 2011. LT offers long-term survival for complications of end-stage liver disease and prolongs life in properly selected patients, but problems such as donor deficit, geographic disparities, and long waiting lists remain. This overview of LT for the gastroenterologist details the indications for LT and patient selection, evaluation, liver organ allocation, prioritization for transplantation, transplantation benefit by the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), MELD limitations, sources of liver graft, strategies employed to decrease the donor deficit, complications, and outcomes. Figures include indications for LT in Europe and the United States, Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network regions in the United States, the number of transplants and size of active waiting lists, mortality by MELD, regional disparity, patient survival rates with and without hepatitis C virus, and unadjusted patient and graft survival. Tables list LT milestones, indications for LT, contraindications for LT, minimal listing criteria for LT, criteria for LT in acute liver failure, LT evaluation process, adult recipient listing status 1A, and early posttransplantation complications. This review contains 7 highly rendered figures, 8 tables, and 46 references. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald F. Chute ◽  
Meghan E. Sise

Background: The opioid crisis has led to a dramatic increase in the number of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Little is known about the effect of the opioid crisis on the kidney transplant donor pool, particularly on hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected donors. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network from 2010 to 2016. We determined the changes in characteristics of kidney transplant donors and evaluated which changes may be directly related to the opioid crisis. Results: Between 2010 and 2016, we found a 26% increase in overall donors, including a 277% increase in the number of donors who died from drug overdose. Nineteen percent of donors who died of drug overdose had HCV infection. Donors who die from drug overdose and donors with HCV infection are younger, less likely to have diabetes or hypertension, and have favorable kidney donor profile index scores compared to average donors. Despite these favorable characteristics, HCV-infected donors appear to be notably underutilized, with substantially lower kidneys per donor being transplanted compared to HCV uninfected donors. Conclusion: The opioid crisis in the United States has substantially altered the kidney donor pool. Strategies to increase utilization of all potentially viable kidneys for transplant are needed, particularly in this era of new, highly effective, direct-acting antiviral therapy for HCV infection.


1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (S2) ◽  
pp. S44-S44
Author(s):  
Kathy J. Rinnert ◽  
Ira J. Blumen ◽  
Michael Zanker ◽  
Sheryl G. A. Gabram

Purpose: The practice of helicopter emergency medical services is variable in its mission profile, crew configuration, and transport capabilities. We sought to describe the characteristics of physician air medical directors in the United States.Methods: We surveyed medical directors concerning their education, training, transport experience, and roles/responsibilities in critical care air transport programs.Results: Two page surveys were mailed to 281 air medical services. Three programs merged or were dissolved. Data from 122/278 (43.9%) air medical directors were analyzed. One-hundred eleven respondents reported residency training in: Emergency Medicine (EM) 44 (39.6%), Internal Medicine (IM) 18 (16.2%), General Surgery (GS) 18 (16.2%), Family Practice (FP) 12 (10.8%), dual-trained (EM/IM, EM/FP, IM/FP) 11 (9.9%) and others 8 (7.2%). Medical directors’ roles/responsibilities consist, most frequently of: drafting protocols 108 (88.5%), QA/CQI activities 104 (85.3%), crew training 98 (80.3%), and administrative negotiations 95 (77.7%).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document