1
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Hashim M, Saleh RA, Abdulqawi R, Albachir CA, Aldakhil H, AlKattan KM, Almaghrabi RS, Hamad A, Saleh W, Al-Mutairy EA. Donor blood cultures and outcomes after lung transplantation: a single-center report. Transpl Infect Dis 2024; 26:e14224. [PMID: 38160331 DOI: 10.1111/tid.14224] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplanting lungs from donors with positive blood cultures has not been shown to adversely affect survival. There is limited evidence for potential effects on other outcomes, such as hospital course, graft function, and transmission of infection. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent lung-only transplantation for the first time between March 2010 and December 2022. Outcomes of patients whose donors had positive blood cultures within 72 h of transplant were compared to patients whose donors had negative blood cultures. RESULTS Twenty-five (10.8%) of 232 donors had positive blood cultures, including a single, unexpected case with candidemia. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Enterobacter cloacae (n = 5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 5), Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 3), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 3), and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 3). Eleven donors had identical bacteria in their respiratory cultures. All patients who were transplanted from donors with positive blood cultures survived beyond 90 days. Positive donor blood cultures were not associated with longer hospital stay, in-hospital complications, acute cellular rejection, or the achievement of 80% predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second. Probable transmission of donor bacteremia occurred in only two cases (both with S. aureus). These two donors had positive respiratory cultures with the same organism. CONCLUSION The study did not find an increased risk of adverse events when transplanting lungs from donors with positive blood cultures. Allograft cultures may be more predictive of the risk of transmitting infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Hashim
- Lung Health Centre Department, Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rana Ahmed Saleh
- Lung Health Centre Department, Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rayid Abdulqawi
- Lung Health Centre Department, Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Haifa Aldakhil
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Scientific Computing, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled Manae AlKattan
- Lung Health Centre Department, Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem Saad Almaghrabi
- Section of Transplant Infectious Diseases, Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Hamad
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Saleh
- Lung Health Centre Department, Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eid Abdullah Al-Mutairy
- Lung Health Centre Department, Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Palacio DM, Kates OS, Baddley JW. Tools to improve donor utilization by infectious diseases clinicians. Transpl Infect Dis 2023; 25:e14187. [PMID: 37907718 DOI: 10.1111/tid.14187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Danica M Palacio
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Olivia S Kates
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - John W Baddley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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3
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Deceased donors with multidrug-resistant organisms: implications and future directions. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:250-256. [PMID: 36354250 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Organ utilization from donors infected or colonized with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) remains inconsistent, and hesitancy to accept organs from these donors may relate to poor outcomes among solid organ transplant recipients with MDRO donor-derived infections (DDIs). An improved understanding of the risk factors for donor MDRO colonization or infection and the risk of MDRO DDI is needed to safely expand the donor pool while minimizing unnecessary organ discard. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have begun to delineate risk factors for MDRO acquisition among deceased donors and the epidemiology of MDRO DDIs, but additional efforts are warranted to inform optimal approaches to donor evaluation, risk stratification, management, interfacility and interagency data sharing, and approaches to recipient management. SUMMARY This review summaries recent data regarding risk factors for MDRO colonization and infection in deceased donors, epidemiology of MDRO DDIs, and current approaches to donors harboring MDROs and provides a framework for future research and collaboration.
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4
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McCulloch MA, Zuckerman WA, Möller T, Knecht K, Lin KY, Beasley GS, Peng DM, Albert DC, Miera O, Dipchand AI, Kirk R, Davies RR. Effects of donor cause of death, ischemia time, inotrope exposure, troponin values, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data on recipient outcomes: A review of the literature. Pediatr Transplant 2020; 24:e13676. [PMID: 32198808 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart transplantation has become standard of care for pediatric patients with either end-stage heart failure or inoperable congenital heart defects. Despite increasing surgical complexity and overall volume, however, annual transplant rates remain largely unchanged. Data demonstrating pediatric donor heart refusal rates of 50% suggest optimizing donor utilization is critical. This review evaluated the impact of donor characteristics surrounding the time of death on pediatric heart transplant recipient outcomes. METHODS An extensive literature review was performed to identify articles focused on donor characteristics surrounding the time of death and their impact on pediatric heart transplant recipient outcomes. RESULTS Potential pediatric heart transplant recipient institutions commonly receive data from seven different donor death-related categories with which to determine organ acceptance: cause of death, need for CPR, serum troponin, inotrope exposure, projected donor ischemia time, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic results. Although DITs up to 8 hours have been reported with comparable recipient outcomes, most data support minimizing this period to <4 hours. CVA as a cause of death may be associated with decreased recipient survival but is rare in the pediatric population. Otherwise, however, in the setting of an acceptable donor heart with a normal echocardiogram, none of the other data categories surrounding donor death negatively impact pediatric heart transplant recipient survival. CONCLUSIONS Echocardiographic evaluation is the most important donor clinical information following declaration of brain death provided to potential recipient institutions. Considering its relative importance, every effort should be made to allow direct image visualization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Warren A Zuckerman
- Columbia University Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Möller
- Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Kimberly Y Lin
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Dimpna C Albert
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Oliver Miera
- Department of Congenital Heart Disease/Pediatric Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne I Dipchand
- Labatt Family Heart Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Richard Kirk
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ryan R Davies
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Children's Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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5
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Kirk R, Dipchand AI, Davies RR, Miera O, Chapman G, Conway J, Denfield S, Gossett JG, Johnson J, McCulloch M, Schweiger M, Zimpfer D, Ablonczy L, Adachi I, Albert D, Alexander P, Amdani S, Amodeo A, Azeka E, Ballweg J, Beasley G, Böhmer J, Butler A, Camino M, Castro J, Chen S, Chrisant M, Christen U, Danziger-Isakov L, Das B, Everitt M, Feingold B, Fenton M, Garcia-Guereta L, Godown J, Gupta D, Irving C, Joong A, Kemna M, Khulbey SK, Kindel S, Knecht K, Lal AK, Lin K, Lord K, Möller T, Nandi D, Niesse O, Peng DM, Pérez-Blanco A, Punnoose A, Reinhardt Z, Rosenthal D, Scales A, Scheel J, Shih R, Smith J, Smits J, Thul J, Weintraub R, Zangwill S, Zuckerman WA. ISHLT consensus statement on donor organ acceptability and management in pediatric heart transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2020; 39:331-341. [PMID: 32088108 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2020.01.1345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of potential pediatric heart transplant recipients continues to exceed the number of donors, and consequently the waitlist mortality remains significant. Despite this, around 40% of all donated organs are not used and are discarded. This document (62 authors from 53 institutions in 17 countries) evaluates factors responsible for discarding donor hearts and makes recommendations regarding donor heart acceptance. The aim of this statement is to ensure that no usable donor heart is discarded, waitlist mortality is reduced, and post-transplant survival is not adversely impacted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Kirk
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Children's Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
| | - Anne I Dipchand
- Labatt Family Heart Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryan R Davies
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Children's Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Oliver Miera
- Department of Congenital Heart Disease/Pediatric Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Jennifer Conway
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Stollery Children's Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan Denfield
- Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey G Gossett
- University of California Benioff Children's Hospitals, San Francisco, California
| | - Jonathan Johnson
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Michael McCulloch
- University of Virginia Children's Hospital, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Martin Schweiger
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Zimpfer
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Vienna and Pediatric Heart Center Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - László Ablonczy
- Pediatric Cardiac Center, Hungarian Institute of Cardiology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Iki Adachi
- Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Dimpna Albert
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Peta Alexander
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Estela Azeka
- Heart Institute (InCor) University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jean Ballweg
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital and Medical Center University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Gary Beasley
- Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jens Böhmer
- Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alison Butler
- Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Javier Castro
- Fundacion Cardiovascular de Colombia, Santander, Bucaramanga City, Colombia
| | | | - Maryanne Chrisant
- Heart Institute, Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, Florida
| | - Urs Christen
- Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lara Danziger-Isakov
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center & University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Bibhuti Das
- Heart Institute, Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, Florida
| | | | - Brian Feingold
- Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthew Fenton
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Justin Godown
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Dipankar Gupta
- Congenital Heart Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Claire Irving
- Children's Hospital Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anna Joong
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | | | - Steven Kindel
- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | | | | | - Kimberly Lin
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Karen Lord
- New England Organ Bank, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas Möller
- Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Deipanjan Nandi
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Oliver Niesse
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Ann Punnoose
- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | | | | | - Angie Scales
- Pediatric and Neonatal Donation and Transplantation, Organ Donation and Transplantation, NHS Blood and Transplant, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janet Scheel
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Renata Shih
- Congenital Heart Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | | | | | - Josef Thul
- Children's Heart Center, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | | | - Warren A Zuckerman
- Columbia University Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York, New York, New York
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6
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Smith CJ, McCulloch MD, Shirley D, L'Ecuyer TJ. Pediatric heart transplant from an incompletely treated influenza A-positive donor. Pediatr Transplant 2019; 23:e13585. [PMID: 31515860 PMCID: PMC7167790 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
There is a shortage of pediatric donor hearts for waitlisted children, and yet nearly 50% of organs offered are not transplanted. Donor quality is often cited as a reason for declining organs offered from donors infected with influenza, presumably due to concern about disease transmission at transplant leading to severe disease. We previously described an excellent outcome after heart transplant from a donor infected with influenza B that had been treated with a complete course of oseltamivir. In this report, we describe a similar outcome after transplantation of an organ from an influenza A-positive donor with symptomatic disease incompletely treated with oseltamivir. Due to the availability of effective antiviral treatment, we suggest that influenza A is also a manageable donor infection that need not preclude heart placement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clyde J. Smith
- Divisions of Critical Care Medicine and CardiologyDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginia
| | - Michael D. McCulloch
- Division of CardiologyDepartments of Medicine and PediatricsVirginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginia
| | - Debbie‐Ann Shirley
- Division of Infectious DiseaseDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginia
| | - Thomas J. L'Ecuyer
- Division of CardiologyDepartments of Medicine and PediatricsVirginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginia
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7
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Smibert O, Satlin MJ, Nellore A, Peleg AY. Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Solid Organ Transplantation: Management Principles. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2019; 21:26. [PMID: 31183574 DOI: 10.1007/s11908-019-0679-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have emerged as a worldwide problem. Given their degree of immunosuppression and the level of contact with the healthcare system, solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at a disproportionately higher risk of acquisition, colonization, and infection with CRE, and outcomes from infection tend to be worse compared to non-transplant patients. Therapeutic options are limited for CRE infections although several newer agents have recently been approved for use. How well these agents perform in the setting of immunosuppression and SOT is unclear. We sought to review the epidemiology of CRE in SOT and the management principles. RECENT FINDINGS CRE infections are becoming an increasing problem in SOT, and donor-derived infections present a challenge in the peri-transplant period. Newer treatments for CRE are emerging that are less toxic and potentially more effective than prior CRE-active agents, but supportive clinical data are limited. Newer beta-lactamase inhibitors have good activity against KPC carbapenemases, but they lack activity against metallo-beta-lactamases (e.g., NDM). Promising data is emerging with newer agents that have activity against most carbapenemases, but, again, clinical data is needed. Combination therapy in addition to optimal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics may go some way to improve outcomes against these difficult-to-treat organisms. Other novel therapies that prevent the emergence of resistance (oral beta-lactamase inhibitors) and eradication of resistant Gram-negative colonization (fecal microbiota transplant) may eventually become part of a bundle approach to reduce CRE infections in the future. As in non-transplant patients, CRE infections in the transplant setting are challenging to treat and prevent. Infection prevention and control remains crucial to prevent widespread dissemination, and unique challenges exist with donor-derived CRE and how best to manage recipients in the peri-transplant period. Newer treatments are now in early-phase clinical studies, and in vitro activity data are supportive for several agents providing hope for improved outcomes with these typically difficult-to-treat and highly morbid infections in transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Smibert
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Transplant Infectious Disease and Compromised Host Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael J Satlin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anoma Nellore
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Anton Y Peleg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
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8
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Smith CJ, McCulloch MA, Shirley DA, L'Ecuyer TJ. Pediatric heart transplantation from an influenza B-positive donor. Pediatr Transplant 2019; 23:e13353. [PMID: 30623994 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
As heart transplantation demand is increasing without subsequent growth of the donor pool, need for expansion of acceptance criteria is paramount, particularly when considering critically ill, highly sensitized patients. We present a case report of a pediatric heart transplant recipient of an organ refused by 197 prior potential recipients due to the donor being infected with influenza virus. We perform a literature review of recent solid organ transplant cases from influenza-positive donors and conclude that the donor pool may be expandable by allowing donors with treatable infections to be included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clyde J Smith
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Michael A McCulloch
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Debbie-Ann Shirley
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Thomas J L'Ecuyer
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
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9
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Abstract
The expansion of the donor lung pool has involved an evidence-driven redefinition of acceptable donors. Proceeding with transplantation with an acceptable rather than ideal donor depends on specific patient-related and organ-related risk factors as well as the severity of recipient illness. Although the physiologic optimization of brain-dead donors has not changed significantly in recent years, the use of donor management protocols has improved procurement rates. Ex vivo lung perfusion is an increasingly viable strategy to recondition lungs that would otherwise fall below the acceptable threshold for transplant. Ex vivo perfusion trials for preservation of standard donor lungs are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Courtwright
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Gates 8, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Edward Cantu
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 6 Silverstein Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA.
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10
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Kuhn SO, Hahnenkamp K. [Therapy escalation for the potential organ donor : Are all intensive care measures also ethically justifiable?]. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2017; 114:240-245. [PMID: 28748278 DOI: 10.1007/s00063-017-0320-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The gap between the number of organs needed and the number available has dramatically increased in Germany in the last decade-for intensivists and transplantation specialists, it is challenging to cover the demand responsibly. It is therefore increasingly important to identify potential organ donors in order to realize organ donation. An escalation of intensive care measures is often required, which raises critical ethical questions. In Germany, organ donation is only allowed after brain death with prior informed consent from the deceased or his/her relatives. Determining the willingness of the potential organ donor and adapting the subsequent intensive care to it requires experience and empathy. Therapy escalation for the realization of organ donation is not opposed to the basic ethical principles of medicine, but remains an individual decision. A time limitation of this last intensive therapy phase to achieve optimal conditions for transplantation should be discussed with the relatives and adapted to the medical requirements. This article would like to highlight ethical questions that are relevant in the context of therapy escalation of potential organ donors and, thus, support the decision-making process.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-O Kuhn
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Anästhesie, Intensiv‑, Notfall-, und Schmerzmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch Str., 17475, Greifswald, Deutschland.
| | - K Hahnenkamp
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Anästhesie, Intensiv‑, Notfall-, und Schmerzmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch Str., 17475, Greifswald, Deutschland
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