1
|
da Graca B, Snoddy M, Fischbach C, Ramakrishnan S, Levan ML, Parent B, Testa G, Wall A. A scoping review of the legal and ethical challenges with the use of normothermic regional perfusion in controlled donation after circulatory determination of death from 2005 to 2023. Am J Transplant 2024:S1600-6135(24)00532-X. [PMID: 39216689 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2024.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Use of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) to enable organ reconditioning and assessment in donation after circulatory determination of death is controversial. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed articles, news media, legal literature, and professional society position statements addressing ethical and/or legal issues in use of NRP in controlled donation after circulatory determination of death from January 1, 2005, to January 5, 2024. Thematic analysis, assessing the 4 principles of bioethics (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice) and subthemes identified within each, was conducted for the 112 publications meeting inclusion criteria. More than 30 publications addressed the topic in each of 2022 and 2023, vs ≤6 per year previously. Nonmaleficence was the most frequently addressed bioethical principle (111/112 publications), and the most varied, with 14 subthemes. Attitudes toward NRP differed by type of NRP: of 72 publications discussing thoracoabdominal NRP, 22 (30.6%) were "In Favor," 39 (54.2%) were "Neutral," and 11 (15.3%) were "Against"; of 44 discussing abdominal NRP, 23 (52.3%) were "In Favor," 20 (45.5%) were "Neutral," and 1 (2.3%) was "Against." Attitudes differed by authors' country, degree, and affiliation, and by the clinical focus of the publishing journal. Overall, our review shows that the ethical and legal issues raised by NRP remain unresolved, and the debate centered on nonmaleficence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Briget da Graca
- Research Analytics and Development Cores, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew Snoddy
- Department of Abdominal Transplantation, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Baylor Scott and White Transplant Center for Innovation, Science, Policy Research and Ethics, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Conner Fischbach
- Department of Abdominal Transplantation, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Macey L Levan
- Department of Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Brendan Parent
- Division of Medical Ethics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Giuliano Testa
- Department of Abdominal Transplantation, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Baylor Scott and White Transplant Center for Innovation, Science, Policy Research and Ethics, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Anji Wall
- Department of Abdominal Transplantation, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Baylor Scott and White Transplant Center for Innovation, Science, Policy Research and Ethics, Dallas, Texas, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Murphy NB, Slessarev M, Basmaji J, Blackstock L, Blaszak M, Brahmania M, Chandler JA, Dhanani S, Gaulton M, Gross JA, Healey A, Lingard L, Ott M, Shemie SD, Weijer C. Ethical Issues in Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Controlled Organ Donation After Determination of Death by Circulatory Criteria: A Scoping Review. Transplantation 2024:00007890-990000000-00854. [PMID: 39192464 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) is a surgical technique that can improve the quality and number of organs recovered for donation after the determination of death by circulatory criteria. Despite its promise, adoption of NRP has been hindered because of unresolved ethical issues. To inform stakeholders, this scoping review provides an impartial overview of the major ethical controversies surrounding NRP. We undertook this review according to a modified 5-step methodology proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. Publications were retrieved through MEDLINE and Embase. Gray literature was sourced from Canadian organ donation organizations, English-language organ donation organization websites, and through our research networks. Three reviewers independently screened all documents for inclusion, extracted data, and participated in content analysis. Disagreements were resolved through consensus meetings. Seventy-one documents substantively engaging with ethical issues in NRP were included for full-text analysis. We identified 6 major themes encompassing a range of overlapping ethical debates: (1) the compatibility of NRP with the dead donor rule, the injunction that organ recovery cannot cause death, (2) the risk of donor harm posed by NRP, (3) uncertainties regarding consent requirements for NRP, (4) risks to stakeholder trust posed by NRP, (5) the implications of NRP for justice, and (6) NRP's potential to benefits of NRP for stakeholders. We found no agreement on the ethical permissibility of NRP. However, some debates may be resolved through additional empirical study. As decision-makers contemplate the adoption of NRP, it is critical to address the ethical issues facing the technique to ensure stakeholder trust in deceased donation and transplantation systems is preserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B Murphy
- Department of Medicine and Philosophy, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Marat Slessarev
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - John Basmaji
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Laurie Blackstock
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Donor family partner, Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael Blaszak
- Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mayur Brahmania
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Sonny Dhanani
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew Gaulton
- University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jed A Gross
- Department of Clinical and Organizational Ethics, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Healey
- Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Divisions of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Lorelei Lingard
- Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Centre for Education Research and Innovation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mary Ott
- Centre for Education Research and Innovation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Faculty of Education, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sam D Shemie
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- System Development, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Charles Weijer
- Department of Medicine and Philosophy, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Antonini MV, Martin-Suàrez S, Botta L, Circelli A, Cordella E, Zani G, Terzitta M, Agnoletti V, Pacini D. Thoracoabdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion Using Mobile Closed Extracorporeal Circuit in Circulatory Death Determination Heart Donors. ASAIO J 2024:00002480-990000000-00543. [PMID: 39145661 DOI: 10.1097/mat.0000000000002282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TA-NRP) is increasingly implemented in donation after circulatory determination of death (DCD). Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion allows thoracic and abdominal organs to be perfused with warm, oxygenated blood after declaration of death, interrupting ischemia. Evidence is accumulating supporting the use of TA-NRP to improve the outcome of grafts from DCD donors. Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion may restore and maintain a near-physiological environment during procurement. Moreover, during TA-NRP it is feasible to evaluate the heart in situ. Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion could be performed through different cannulation techniques, central or peripheral, and, with different extracorporeal circuits. The use of conventional cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) devices equipped with open circuits has been described. We report the use of a fully mobile, closed ECLS circuit to implement TA-NRP. The procedure was successfully performed in a peripheral center without a cardiac surgery program through a percutaneous cannulation approach. This strategy resulted in combined heart, liver, and kidney recovery despite a significantly prolonged functional warm ischemia time. The feasibility of TA-NRP using modified but still closed fully mobile ECLS circuits could furtherly support the expansion of DCD programs, increasing the availability of heart for transplantation, and the quality of the grafts, improving recipients' outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Velia Antonini
- From the Anesthesia and Intensive Care Department, Bufalini Hospital-Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
- PhD program in Cardio-Nephro-Thoracic Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sofia Martin-Suàrez
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, IRCCS Az. Osp. Universitaria di Bologna, S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Botta
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, IRCCS Az. Osp. Universitaria di Bologna, S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Circelli
- From the Anesthesia and Intensive Care Department, Bufalini Hospital-Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Erika Cordella
- Emilia-Romagna Transplant Reference Centre, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluca Zani
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, AUSL della Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Marina Terzitta
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, AUSL della Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Vanni Agnoletti
- From the Anesthesia and Intensive Care Department, Bufalini Hospital-Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Davide Pacini
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, IRCCS Az. Osp. Universitaria di Bologna, S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou AL, Rizaldi AA, Akbar AF, Ruck JM, King EA, Kilic A. Outcomes following concomitant multiorgan heart transplantation from circulatory death donors: The United States experience. J Heart Lung Transplant 2024; 43:1252-1262. [PMID: 38548240 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2024.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has reemerged as a method of expanding the donor heart pool. Given the high waitlist mortality of multiorgan heart candidates, we evaluated waitlist outcomes associated with willingness to consider DCD offers and post-transplant outcomes following DCD transplant for these candidates. METHODS We identified adult multiorgan heart candidates and recipients between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023 nationally. Among candidates that met inclusion criteria, we compared the cumulative incidence of transplant, with waitlist death/deterioration as a competing risk, by willingness to consider DCD offers. Among recipients of DCD versus brain death (DBD) transplants, we compared perioperative outcomes and post-transplant survival. RESULTS Of 1,802 heart-kidney, 266 heart-liver, and 440 heart-lung candidates, 15.8%, 12.4%, and 31.1%, respectively, were willing to consider DCD offers. On adjusted analysis, willingness to consider DCD offers was associated with higher likelihood of transplant for all multiorgan heart candidates and decreased likelihood of waitlist deterioration for heart-lung candidates. Of 1,100 heart-kidney, 173 heart-liver, and 159 heart-lung recipients, 5.4%, 2.3%, and 2.5%, respectively, received DCD organs. Recipients of DCD and DBD heart-kidney transplants had a similar likelihood of perioperative outcomes and 1-year survival. All other DCD multiorgan heart recipients have survived to the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Multiorgan heart candidates who were willing to consider DCD offers had favorable waitlist outcomes, and heart-kidney recipients of DCD transplants had similar post-transplant outcomes to recipients of DBD transplants. We recommend the use of DCD organs to increase the donor pool for these high-risk candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice L Zhou
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alexandra A Rizaldi
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Armaan F Akbar
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jessica M Ruck
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth A King
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ahmet Kilic
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hoffman JRH, Hartwig MG, Cain MT, Rove JY, Siddique A, Urban M, Mulligan MS, Bush EL, Balsara K, Demarest CT, Silvestry SC, Wilkey B, Trahanas JM, Pretorius VG, Shah AS, Moazami N, Pomfret EA, Catarino PA. Consensus Statement: Technical Standards for Thoracoabdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion. Transplantation 2024; 108:1669-1680. [PMID: 39012953 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TA-NRP) has emerged as a powerful technique for optimizing organ procurement from donation after circulatory death donors. Despite its rapid adoption, standardized guidelines for TA-NRP implementation are lacking, prompting the need for consensus recommendations to ensure safe and effective utilization of this technique. METHODS A working group composed of members from The American Society of Transplant Surgeons, The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and The American Association for Thoracic Surgery was convened to develop technical guidelines for TA-NRP. The group systematically reviewed existing literature, consensus statements, and expert opinions to identify key areas requiring standardization, including predonation evaluation, intraoperative management, postdonation procedures, and future research directions. RESULTS The working group formulated recommendations encompassing donor evaluation and selection criteria, premortem testing and therapeutic interventions, communication protocols, and procedural guidelines for TA-NRP implementation. These recommendations aim to facilitate coordination among transplant teams, minimize variability in practice, and promote transparency and accountability throughout the TA-NRP process. CONCLUSIONS The consensus guidelines presented herein serve as a comprehensive framework for the successful and ethical implementation of TA-NRP programs in organ procurement from donation after circulatory death donors. By providing standardized recommendations and addressing areas of uncertainty, these guidelines aim to enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of TA-NRP procedures, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for transplant recipients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R H Hoffman
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Matthew G Hartwig
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Michael T Cain
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Jessica Y Rove
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Aleem Siddique
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Marian Urban
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Michael S Mulligan
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Errol L Bush
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Keki Balsara
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
| | - Caitlin T Demarest
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | | | - Barbara Wilkey
- Department of Anesthesia, Section of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - John M Trahanas
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Victor G Pretorius
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA
| | - Ashish S Shah
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Nader Moazami
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Elizabeth A Pomfret
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Pedro A Catarino
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen Q, Catarino P. Donation After Circulatory Death Heart Transplantation-Where Do We Go From Here? Ann Thorac Surg 2024; 118:494-495. [PMID: 38909769 DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiudong Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S San Vicente Blvd, #A3600, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Pedro Catarino
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S San Vicente Blvd, #A3600, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hoffman JRH, Hartwig MG, Cain MT, Rove JY, Siddique A, Urban M, Mulligan MS, Bush EL, Balsara K, Demarest CT, Silvestry SC, Wilkey B, Trahanas JM, Pretorius VG, Shah AS, Moazami N, Pomfret EA, Catarino PA. Consensus Statement: Technical Standards for Thoracoabdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion. Ann Thorac Surg 2024:S0003-4975(24)00567-8. [PMID: 39023462 DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TA-NRP) has emerged as a powerful technique for optimizing organ procurement from donation after circulatory death donors. Despite its rapid adoption, standardized guidelines for TA-NRP implementation are lacking, prompting the need for consensus recommendations to ensure safe and effective utilization of this technique. METHODS A working group composed of members from The American Society of Transplant Surgeons, The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and The American Association for Thoracic Surgery was convened to develop technical guidelines for TA-NRP. The group systematically reviewed existing literature, consensus statements, and expert opinions to identify key areas requiring standardization, including predonation evaluation, intraoperative management, postdonation procedures, and future research directions. RESULTS The working group formulated recommendations encompassing donor evaluation and selection criteria, premortem testing and therapeutic interventions, communication protocols, and procedural guidelines for TA-NRP implementation. These recommendations aim to facilitate coordination among transplant teams, minimize variability in practice, and promote transparency and accountability throughout the TA-NRP process. CONCLUSIONS The consensus guidelines presented herein serve as a comprehensive framework for the successful and ethical implementation of TA-NRP programs in organ procurement from donation after circulatory death donors. By providing standardized recommendations and addressing areas of uncertainty, these guidelines aim to enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of TA-NRP procedures, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for transplant recipients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R H Hoffman
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Matthew G Hartwig
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Michael T Cain
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jessica Y Rove
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Aleem Siddique
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Marian Urban
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Michael S Mulligan
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Errol L Bush
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Keki Balsara
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
| | - Caitlin T Demarest
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Barbara Wilkey
- Department of Anesthesia, Section of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - John M Trahanas
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Victor G Pretorius
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Ashish S Shah
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Nader Moazami
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Elizabeth A Pomfret
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Pedro A Catarino
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhou AL, Rizaldi AA, Ruck JM, Akbar AF, Kalra A, Casillan AJ, Ha JS, Merlo CA, Kilic A, Bush EL. Impact of dual thoracic recovery from circulatory death donors on heart and lung transplant outcomes. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2024:S0022-5223(24)00606-8. [PMID: 39004267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2024.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Concomitant heart and lung recovery can result in increased operative complexity, ischemic time, and competition for resources and anatomic territory. Dual thoracic recovery from circulatory death donors may have additional risks that are not fully understood. We investigated the effects of dual heart and lung recovery from circulatory death donors on thoracic transplant outcomes. METHODS Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, we categorized all adult thoracic circulatory death donor transplants from 2019 to 2023 by whether the donor heart, lung, or both (dual donors) were recovered. Heart and lung transplant outcomes were compared between dual recovery donors and heart-only or lung-only donors, respectively, using multivariable analyses. RESULTS Of the 2513 donors included, 42.9% were heart-only, 45.0% were lung-only, and 12.0% were dual donors. Recipients of dual versus heart-only donors had similar likelihood of post-transplant dialysis (18.9% vs 18.3%, P = .84), likelihood of stroke (2.9% vs 4.7%, P = .34), and 2-year risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.15 [95% CI, 0.90-1.47], P = .26), but lower likelihood of acute rejection (10.2% vs 16.1%, P = .04). Recipients of dual and lung-only donors had similar likelihood of predischarge acute rejection (7.6% vs 8.5%, P = .70), intubation at 72 hours (38.9% vs 45.1%, P = .13), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at 72 hours (13.1% vs 18.1%, P = .11), as well as 2-year risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.16 [95% CI, 0.74-1.82], P = .52). CONCLUSIONS Recovering both the heart and lungs from a circulatory death donor does not negatively impact transplant outcomes. Outcomes in this population should continue to be investigated as more data and longer-term follow-up become available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice L Zhou
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md
| | - Alexandra A Rizaldi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md
| | - Jessica M Ruck
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md
| | - Armaan F Akbar
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md
| | - Andrew Kalra
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md
| | - Alfred J Casillan
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md
| | - Jinny S Ha
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md
| | - Christian A Merlo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md
| | - Ahmet Kilic
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md
| | - Errol L Bush
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhou AL, Leng A, Ruck JM, Akbar AF, Price MD, King EA, Desai NM. Utilization and Outcomes of Abdominal Transplants Using Thoracoabdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Pediatric Donation After Circulatory Death: The United States Experience. Transplantation 2024; 108:e154-e155. [PMID: 38917245 PMCID: PMC11207187 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Alice L. Zhou
- Division of Transplant, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Albert Leng
- Division of Transplant, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jessica M. Ruck
- Division of Transplant, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Armaan F. Akbar
- Division of Transplant, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Matthew D. Price
- Division of Transplant, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Elizabeth A. King
- Division of Transplant, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Niraj M. Desai
- Division of Transplant, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhou AL, Akbar AF, Kilic A. Normothermic regional perfusion in the United States: A call for improved data collection. J Heart Lung Transplant 2024; 43:1196-1197. [PMID: 38521115 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2024.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alice L Zhou
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Armaan F Akbar
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ahmet Kilic
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ran G, Wall AE, Narang N, Khush KK, Hoffman JRH, Zhang KC, Parker WF. Post-transplant survival after normothermic regional perfusion versus direct procurement and perfusion in donation after circulatory determination of death in heart transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2024; 43:954-962. [PMID: 38423416 PMCID: PMC11090717 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2024.02.1456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2019, the annual transplantation rate of hearts donated following circulatory death (DCD) has increased significantly in the United States. The 2 major heart procurement techniques following circulatory death are direct procurement and perfusion (DPP) and normothermic regional perfusion (NRP). Post-transplant survival for heart recipients has not been compared between these 2 techniques. METHODS This observational study uses data on adult heart transplants from donors after circulatory death from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We identified comparable transplant cases across procurement types using propensity-score matching and measured the association between procurement technique and 1-year post-transplant survival using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards model stratefied by matching pairs. RESULTS Among 318 DCD heart transplants, 216 (68%) were procured via DPP, and 102 (32%) via NRP. Among 22 transplant centers that accepted circulatory-death donors, 3 used NRP exclusively, and 5 used both procurement techniques. After propensity-score matching on recipient and donor factors, there was no significant difference in 1-year post-transplant survival (93.1% for NRP vs 91.1% for DPP, p = 0.79) between procurement techniques. CONCLUSIONS NRP and DPP procurements are associated with similar 1-year post-transplant survival. If NRP is ethically permissible and improves outcomes for abdominal organs, it should be the preferred procurement technique for DCD hearts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gege Ran
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Anji E Wall
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Annette C. and Harrold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Nikhil Narang
- Department of Cardiology, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kiran K Khush
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Jordan R H Hoffman
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kevin C Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - William F Parker
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ahmed HF, Kulshrestha K, Kennedy JT, Gomez-Guzman A, Greenberg JW, Hossain MM, Zhang Y, D'Alessandro DA, John R, Moazami N, Chin C, Ashfaq A, Zafar F, Morales DLS. Donation after circulatory death significantly reduces waitlist times while not changing post-heart transplant outcomes: A United Network for Organ Sharing Analysis. J Heart Lung Transplant 2024; 43:461-470. [PMID: 37863451 PMCID: PMC10922468 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2023.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, several centers in the United States have begun performing donation after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplants (HTs) in adults. We sought to characterize the recent use of DCD HT, waitlist time, and outcomes compared to donation after brain death (DBD). METHODS Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, 10,402 adult (aged >18 years) HT recipients from January 2019 to June 2022 were identified: 425 (4%) were DCD and 9,977 (96%) were DBD recipients. Posttransplant outcomes in matched and unmatched cohorts and waitlist times were compared between groups. RESULTS DCD and DBD recipients had similar age (57 years for both, p = 0.791). DCD recipients were more likely White (67% vs 60%, p = 0.002), on left ventricular assist device (LVAD; 40% vs 32%, p < 0.001), and listed as status 4 to 6 (60% vs 24%, p < 0.001); however, less likely to require inotropes (22% vs 40%, p < 0.001) and preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (0.9% vs 6%, p < 0.001). DCD donors were younger (29 vs 32 years, p < 0.001) and had less renal dysfunction (15% vs 39%, p < 0.001), diabetes (1.9% vs 3.8%, p = 0.050), or hypertension (9.9% vs 16%, p = 0.001). In matched and unmatched cohorts, early survival was similar (p = 0.22). Adjusted waitlist time was shorter in DCD group (21 vs 31 days, p < 0.001) compared to DBD cohort and 5-fold shorter (DCD: 22 days vs DBD: 115 days, p < 0.001) for candidates in status 4 to 6, which was 60% of DCD cohort. CONCLUSIONS The community is using DCD mostly for those recipients who are expected to have extended waitlist times (e.g., durable LVADs, status >4). DCD recipients had similar posttransplant early survival and shorter adjusted waitlist time compared to DBD group. Given this early success, efforts should be made to expand the donor pool using DCD, especially for traditionally disadvantaged recipients on the waitlist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hosam F Ahmed
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kevin Kulshrestha
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - John T Kennedy
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Amalia Gomez-Guzman
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jason W Greenberg
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Md Monir Hossain
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Yin Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - David A D'Alessandro
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ranjit John
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Nader Moazami
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York University (NYU) Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Clifford Chin
- Division of Cardiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Awais Ashfaq
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Farhan Zafar
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - David L S Morales
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The use of cardiac transplantation following circulatory death (DCD) has been limited worldwide. Concerns about cardiac function after warm ischemia and the potential for decreased graft function have been important considerations in this hesitancy. In addition, ethical and legal questions about the two widely used organ procurement methods have led to discussions and public education in many countries. RECENT FINDINGS Publication of a US randomized trial of cardiac transplantation following DCD has shown that it is both feasible and has similar short-term outcomes compared with cardiac transplantation following brain death (DBD). These data support those from both Australia and the UK who have largest experience to date. SUMMARY The adoption of cardiac transplantation following circulatory death has increased overall cardiac transplantation in those transplant centers who have incorporated these donors. Short term outcomes for DCD organ procurement methods are similar to those outcomes using DBD hearts. Continued study and standardization of warm ischemic times will allow for better comparisons of organ procurement techniques and organ optimization. The ethical concerns about procurement methods, in addition to a discussion of procurement costs and feasibility will need to be addressed further in the efforts to expand the organ pool and increase overall cardiac transplantation numbers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Savitri Fedson
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kwon JH, Usry B, Hashmi ZA, Bhandari K, Carnicelli AP, Tedford RJ, Welch BA, Shorbaji K, Kilic A. Donor utilization in heart transplant with donation after circulatory death in the United States. Am J Transplant 2024; 24:70-78. [PMID: 37517554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Heart transplantation using donation after circulatory death (DCD) was recently adopted in the United States. This study aimed to characterize organ yield from adult (≥18 years) DCD heart donors in the United States using the United Network for Organ Sharing registry. The registry does not identify potential donors who do not progress to circulatory death, and only those who progressed to death were included for analysis. Outcomes included organ recovery from the donor operating room and organ utilization for transplant. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictors of heart recovery and utilization. Among 558 DCD procurements, recovery occurred in 89.6%, and 92.5% of recovered hearts were utilized for transplant. Of 506 DCD procurements with available data, 65.0% were classified as direct procurement and perfusion and 35.0% were classified as normothermic regional perfusion (NRP). Logistic regression identified that NRP, shorter agonal time, younger donor age, and highest volume of organ procurement organizations were independently associated with increased odds for heart recovery. NRP independently predicted heart utilization after recovery. DCD heart utilization in the United States is satisfactory and consistent with international experience. NRP procurements have a higher yield for DCD heart transplantation compared with direct procurement and perfusion, which may reflect differences in donor assessment and acceptance criteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennie H Kwon
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Benjamin Usry
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Zubair A Hashmi
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Krishna Bhandari
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Anthony P Carnicelli
- Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ryan J Tedford
- Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Brett A Welch
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Khaled Shorbaji
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Arman Kilic
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gao Q, Pontula A, Alderete IS, DeLaura I, Kahan R, Nakata K, Haney JC, Klapper JA, Hartwig MG. Impact of simultaneous heart procurement on outcomes of donation after circulatory death lung transplantation. Am J Transplant 2024; 24:79-88. [PMID: 37673176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Donation after circulatory death (DCD) heart procurement is done using either direct procurement (DP) or thoracoabdominal normothermic machine perfusion (TA-NRP). Both approaches could impact lung transplant outcomes with combined heart and lung procurements from the same donor. The impact of such practice on DCD lung transplant remains unstudied. We performed a retrospective analysis using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) dataset, identifying DCD lung transplants where the donor also donated the heart (cardia lung donor [CD]). A cohort of noncardiac DCD lung donors (noncardiac lung donor [NCD]) from the same era, matched for donor and recipient characteristics, was used as a comparison group. Both immediate and long-term outcomes were examined. A subanalysis was performed comparing the distinct impact of DP or TA-NRP on DCD lung transplant outcomes. Overall graft survival did not significantly differ between CD and NCD. However, recipients in the CD group trended toward a lower P/F ratio at 72 hours (CD vs NCD: 284 vs 3190; P = .054). In the subanalysis, we identified 40 DP donors and 22 TA-NRP donors. We found the both cohorts had lower P/F ratio at 72 hours than the NCD control (P = .04). Overall, 1-year graft survival was equivalent among the TA-NRP, DP, and NCD cohorts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qimeng Gao
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Arya Pontula
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Isaac S Alderete
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Isabel DeLaura
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Riley Kahan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kentaro Nakata
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - John C Haney
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jacob A Klapper
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew G Hartwig
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kwon JH, Blanding WM, Shorbaji K, Scalea JR, Gibney BC, Baliga PK, Kilic A. Waitlist and Transplant Outcomes in Organ Donation After Circulatory Death: Trends in the United States. Ann Surg 2023; 278:609-620. [PMID: 37334722 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To summarize waitlist and transplant outcomes in kidney, liver, lung, and heart transplantation using organ donation after circulatory death (DCD). BACKGROUND DCD has expanded the donor pool for solid organ transplantation, most recently for heart transplantation. METHODS The United Network for Organ Sharing registry was used to identify adult transplant candidates and recipients in the most recent allocation policy eras for kidney, liver, lung, and heart transplantation. Transplant candidates and recipients were grouped by acceptance criteria for DCD versus brain-dead donors [donation after brain death (DBD)] only and DCD versus DBD transplant, respectively. Propensity matching and competing-risks regression was used to model waitlist outcomes. Survival was modeled using propensity matching and Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS DCD transplant volumes have increased significantly across all organs. Liver candidates listed for DCD organs were more likely to undergo transplantation compared with propensity-matched candidates listed for DBD only, and heart and liver transplant candidates listed for DCD were less likely to experience death or clinical deterioration requiring waitlist inactivation. Propensity-matched DCD recipients demonstrated an increased mortality risk up to 5 years after liver and kidney transplantation and up to 3 years after lung transplantation compared with DBD. There was no difference in 1-year mortality between DCD and DBD heart transplantation. CONCLUSIONS DCD continues to expand access to transplantation and improves waitlist outcomes for liver and heart transplant candidates. Despite an increased risk for mortality with DCD kidney, liver, and lung transplantation, survival with DCD transplant remains acceptable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennie H Kwon
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Walker M Blanding
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Khaled Shorbaji
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Joseph R Scalea
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Barry C Gibney
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Prabhakar K Baliga
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Arman Kilic
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| |
Collapse
|