Guidelines for the assessment and acceptance of potential brain-dead organ donors

Pharmacokinetics of Opioid Infusions in the Adult Intensive Care Unit Setting-A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Pharmacokinetics (PKs) of drugs are often altered in the intensive care unit (ICU). Opioids are often used in the ICU, particularly as continuous infusions, and their characteristics lead them to undergo PK alterations. We conducted a systematic review to assess the PK of opioid infusions in the ICU.

METHODS

Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (EBMR) were searched from inception to March 2024. Studies were included if they evaluated PKs of opioid infusions in adult patients in the ICU. Two reviewers independently selected and extracted data.

RESULTS

Out of the 1040 records screened, 17 studies were included. Five studies were conducted on fentanyl, seven on morphine, one on hydromorphone, two on remifentanil, two on alfentanil, and one on sufentanil. Most studies where observational studies or case series. The mean age was 56 years old. Duration of the infusion varied between 3 h and 20 days. PKs of fentanyl, sufentanil, and hydromorphone were significantly impaired, whereas the PKs of morphine, alfentanil, and remifentanil were impaired to a lesser degree. The PK parameter that was most affected by critical illness was the half-life (T½).

CONCLUSIONS

To counter these PK alterations, new therapeutic avenues must be further explored in the ICU to individualize opioid infusions.

Pediatric Organ Donation, Transplantation, and Updated Brain Death Criteria: An Overview for Pediatricians

Pediatricians follow patients longitudinally and hold a unique position to address multiple issues, medical and psychosocial, that affect organ donation and transplantation. They are wellpositioned to provide anticipatory guidance during well-child visits and during care for children with end-stage organ failure and can either assist these patients with ongoing medical management or refer these patients for organ transplantation assessment. A pediatrician's trusted relationship with families and patients allows for guidance on medical and ethical issues surrounding brain death, organ donation, and transplantation. A clear understanding of end-of-life care, criteria for the determination of neurologic and circulatory death, the process of organ donation, and posttransplant management is vital for pediatricians. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recognizes and supports the important role of the pediatrician in the global need for organ donation and transplantation awareness. This article, as well as the updated AAP policy on Pediatric Organ Donation and Transplantation and the revised American Academy of Neurology consensus statement for the determination of neurologic death for children and adults, provides guidance to help shape public opinion, public policy, and care of the pediatric organ donor and the transplant recipient.

Barriers to the identification of possible organ donors among brain-injured patients admitted to intensive care units

Background

Improving organ donation rates requires better detection of possible organ donors, which in turn necessitates identifying barriers preventing the identification of possible organ donors. The objectives of this study were to determine the actual rate of possible deceased organ donors among nonreferred cases and to identify barriers to their identification as possible donors.

Methods

This retrospective observational study used 6 months of data collected from two intensive care units (ICUs). Possible organ donors were defined as patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score <5 and evidence of severe neurological damage. Barriers that led to the nonidentification of these patients as possible organ donors were also identified.

Results

Fifty-six of 819 patients admitted to the ICUs during the study period were detected as possible organ donors, representing a 6.83% possible organ donor detection rate. Nonclinical barriers to the identification of possible organ donors were found to be more significant than clinical barriers (55% vs. 45%, respectively). The most significant nonclinical barrier was an unknown reason, despite patients being medically suitable for deceased organ donation and fulfilling the criteria for possible organ donor classification. Unresolved sepsis was the main clinical barrier.

Conclusions

The significant rate of unreferred possible deceased organ donors found in this study reveals the need to increase awareness and knowledge among clinicians of the proper detection of possible donors at an early stage to avoid the loss of possible deceased organ donors, and thereby increase the deceased organ donation rate in Malaysian hospitals.

Histological, Laboratorial, and Clinical Benefits of an Optimized Maintenance Strategy of a Potential Organ Donor-A Rabbit Experimental Model

INTRODUCTION

Most transplanted organs are obtained from brain-dead donors. Inflammation results in a higher rate of rejection. Objectives: The objective of this animal model of brain death (BD) was to evaluate the effect of the progressive institution of volume expansion, norepinephrine, and combined hormone therapy on clinical, laboratory, and histological aspects. Methods: Twenty rabbits were divided: A (control), B (induction of BD + infusion of crystalloid), C (BD + infusion of crystalloid and noradrenaline (NA)), and D (BD + infusion of crystalloid + vasopressin + levothyroxine + methylprednisolone + NA). The animals were monitored for four hours with consecutives analysis of vital signs and blood samples. The organs were evaluated by a pathologist. Results: In Group D, we observed fewer number and lesser volume of infusions (p = 0.032/0.014) when compared with groups B and C. Mean arterial pressure levels were higher in group D when compared with group B (p = 0.008). Group D had better glycemic control when compared with group C (p = 0.016). Sodium values were elevated in group B in relation to groups C and D (p = 0.021). In Group D, the organ perfusion was better. Conclusion: The optimized strategy of management of BD animals is associated with better hemodynamic, glycemic, and natremia control, besides reducing early signs of ischemia.

Induced Coma, Death, and Organ Transplantation: A Physiologic, Genetic, and Theological Perspective

In the clinic, the death certificate is issued if brain electrical activity is no longer detectable. However, recent research has shown that in model organisms and humans, gene activity continues for at least 96 h postmortem. The discovery that many genes are still working up to 48 h after death questions our definition of death and has implications for organ transplants and forensics. If genes can be active up to 48 h after death, is the person technically still alive at that point? We discovered a very interesting parallel between genes that were upregulated in the brain after death and genes upregulated in the brains that were subjected to medically-induced coma, including transcripts involved in neurotransmission, proteasomal degradation, apoptosis, inflammation, and most interestingly, cancer. Since these genes are involved in cellular proliferation, their activation after death could represent the cellular reaction to escape mortality and raises the question of organ viability and genetics used for transplantation after death. One factor limiting the organ availability for transplantation is religious belief. However, more recently, organ donation for the benefit of humans in need has been seen as “posthumous giving of organs and tissues can be a manifestation of love spreading also to the other side of death”.

Organ Dysfunction Among Children Meeting Brain Death Criteria: Implications for Organ Donation

OBJECTIVES

Over 70% of pediatric organ donors are declared deceased by brain death (BD) criteria. Patients with these devastating neurologic injuries often have accompanying multiple organ dysfunction. This study was performed to characterize organ dysfunction in children who met BD criteria and were able to donate their organs compared with those deemed medically ineligible.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

PICU at a quaternary care children's hospital.

PATIENTS

Patients with International Classification of Diseases , 9th Edition codes corresponding to BD between 2012 and 2018 were included.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Demographics, comorbidities, Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM)-III, and injury mechanisms were derived from the medical record. Organ dysfunction was quantified by evaluating peak daily organ-specific variables. Fifty-eight patients, from newborn to 22 years old, were included with a median PRISM-III of 34 (interquartile range [IQR], 26-36), and all met criteria for multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Thirty-four of 58 BD children (59%) donated at least one organ. Of the donors (not mutually exclusive proportions), 10 of 34 donated lungs, with a peak oxygenation index of 11 (IQR, 8-23); 24 of 34 donated their heart (with peak Vasoactive Inotrope Score 23 [IQR, 18-33]); 31 of 34 donated kidneys, of whom 16 of 31 (52%) had evidence of acute kidney injury; and 28 of 34 patients donated their liver, with peak alanine transferase (ALT) of 104 U/L (IQR, 44-268 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of 165 U/L (IQR, 94-434 U/L). Organ dysfunction was similar between heart and lung donors and respective medically ineligible nondonors. Those deemed medically ineligible to donate their liver had higher peak ALT 1,518 U/L (IQR, 986-1,748 U/L) ( p = 0.01) and AST 2,200 U/L (IQR, 1,453-2,405 U/L) ( p = 0.01) compared with liver donors.

CONCLUSIONS

In our single-center experience, all children with BD had MODS, yet more than one-half were still able to donate organs. Future research should further evaluate transplant outcomes of dysfunctional organs prior to standardizing donation eligibility criteria.

The quality of guidelines for treatment of carotid artery disease: a critical appraisal using the AGREE II instrument

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) are structured recommendations based on systematic reviews of the available evidence and are useful tools to support clinical decision-making. However, studies have raised concerns about the methodological and scientific quality of several CPG, which can affect their application in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic appraisal of the methodological quality of carotid atherosclerotic disease clinical guidelines, published from 2000 to 2019, using the AGREE II instrument (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Instrument II). The appraisers independently assessed the quality of the CPG included in the study for each of the 6 domains of the AGREE II tool. The CPG were rated as high, moderate, or low quality using a points scale. A total of 9 CPGs were selected for appraisal. Except for domain 2 (kappa=0.715), excellent agreement was observed between the appraisers (kappa>0.75). Five of the CPGs were rated as high overall methodological quality rating, 5 were rated as moderate overall methodological quality, and 2 were rated low overall methodological quality. The authors conclude that: (1) appraisal of carotid atherosclerotic disease clinical guidelines using the AGREE II instrument is feasible, with a high degree of agreement among appraisers; and (2) that most CPGs on the management of atherosclerotic carotid disease have high methodological quality.

Cytomegalovirus seroprevalence, infection, and disease in Chinese thoracic organ transplant recipients: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after transplantation. This study aimed to investigate CMV seroprevalence, infection, and disease in Chinese thoracic organ transplant recipients.

METHODS

The clinical data of the patients who underwent lung and/or heart transplantation between January 2015 and October 2020 were retrospectively collected from four transplantation centers in China.

RESULTS

A total of 308 patients were analyzed. The CMV serostatus was donor positive (D⁺) recipient negative (R^-) in 19 (6.17%) patients, D⁺/R⁺ in 233 (75.65%), D^-/R⁺ in 36 (11.69%), and D^-/R^- in 20 (6.50%). CMV DNAemia was detected in 52.3% of the patients and tissue-invasive CMV disease was diagnosed in 16.2% of the patients. Only 31.8% of the patients adhered to the postdischarge valganciclovir therapy. The D⁺/R^- serostatus (odds ratio [OR]: 18.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.80-188.68), no valganciclovir prophylaxis (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.05-6.64), and higher doses of rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin (> 2 mg/kg) (OR: 4.25; 95% CI: 1.92-9.42) were risk factors of CMV disease.

CONCLUSION

CMV seroprevalence was high in Chinese thoracic organ transplant donors and recipients. The low adherence rate to the postdischarge CMV prophylaxis therapy in Chinese patients is still an unresolved issue.

Evaluation of donor heart for transplantation

Cardiac transplantation is considered the gold-standard treatment option for patients suffering from end-stage heart failure refractory to maximum medical therapy. A major determinant of graft function and recipient survival is a comprehensive evaluation of the donor allograft. Challenges arise when designing and implementing an evidence-based donor evaluation protocol due to the number of influential donor-specific characteristics and the complex interactions that occur between them. Here, we present our systematic approach to donor evaluation by examining the impact that relevant donor variables have on graft function and recipient outcomes.

Validating potential organ and tissue donors in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic: Scoping review and recommendations construction

OBJECTIVE

To identify the available information to support registered nurses' clinical decisions in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

This is a scoping review developed in six stages. The sixth stage was developed with registered nurses who work in the Brazil Organ Donation System. To consolidate the information and prepare all assumptions, the legislation in force in Brazil was followed.

RESULTS

Recommendations from 19 articles identified in the literature were analyzed; additionally, 52 professionals who work at Brazil Organ Donation System participated in the research. Four care assumptions were formed: investigation of community transmission, investigation of clinical situations, screening for COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and investigation of alterations presented in the physical examination. Such assumptions are formed by 34 care guidelines.

DISCUSSION

Care assumptions were prepared to guide and support registered nurses during assessment and validation of potential organ and tissue donors. From this perspective, assumptions certainly promote safety, effectiveness and quality in the service offered during the organ and tissue donation process in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to empowering registered nurses in this scenario. Quality and bio-surveillance through the donation stages have been discussed extensively in recent times, to improve donation and transplantations by valuing care, safety, and quality of life of recipients.

CONCLUSION

The care assumptions presented in this study support and subsidize the daily practice of registered nurses who work in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors, enabling these professionals to make decisions based on secure information.

The quality of guidelines for treatment of carotid artery disease: a critical appraisal using the AGREE II instrument

Abstract Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) are structured recommendations based on systematic reviews of the available evidence and are useful tools to support clinical decision-making. However, studies have raised concerns about the methodological and scientific quality of several CPG, which can affect their application in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic appraisal of the methodological quality of carotid atherosclerotic disease clinical guidelines, published from 2000 to 2019, using the AGREE II instrument (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Instrument II). The appraisers independently assessed the quality of the CPG included in the study for each of the 6 domains of the AGREE II tool. The CPG were rated as high, moderate, or low quality using a points scale. A total of 9 CPGs were selected for appraisal. Except for domain 2 (kappa=0.715), excellent agreement was observed between the appraisers (kappa>0.75). Five of the CPGs were rated as high overall methodological quality rating, 5 were rated as moderate overall methodological quality, and 2 were rated low overall methodological quality. The authors conclude that: (1) appraisal of carotid atherosclerotic disease clinical guidelines using the AGREE II instrument is feasible, with a high degree of agreement among appraisers; and (2) that most CPGs on the management of atherosclerotic carotid disease have high methodological quality.

Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and unwillingness to donate organs post-mortem

Willingness to donate organs is contingent upon knowledge about and attitude toward organ donation. In order to explore differences between members of the three monotheistic religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, a nation-wide survey was conducted in Israel. Members of all three religions expressed a very low willingness to donate organs postmortem. They had similar levels of knowledge regarding organ donation and similar negative attitudes toward organ donation. The public feels negative regarding the issue, therefore education campaigns should be designed and implemented in order to refute potential misconceptions and hence increase the number of people who sign donor cards.

Nursing Diagnosis for Potential Organ Donors: Accuracy Study

The objective was to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of Impaired physiological balance syndrome in potential brain-dead organ donors. It is a study of diagnostic accuracy. Data was retrospectively collected from 145 medical records through the filling out of an instrument containing 25 indicators of the nursing diagnosis (ND). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The prevalence of the ND was 77 (53.1%). The indicator with the best measures of accuracy was altered heart rate. Therefore, it has the best predictive capacity for determining the ND. It was identified that the absence of the indicators altered heart rate, hyperglycemia, and altered blood pressure is associated with the absence of the ND, while the presence of the indicators hyperthermia, hypothermia, and altered heart rhythm is associated with the presence of the ND. Accurate indicators will assist in diagnostic inference and the interventions and results will have greater chances of targeting and effectiveness.

Strategies for hemodynamic maintenance of potential brain-dead donor: integrative review

OBJECTIVE

To learn about the scientific production on strategies adopted for hemodynamic maintenance of brain-dead patients.

METHODS

Integrative review with articles published between 2007 and 2019, in Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), PubMed® and ScienceDirect. The descriptors " Hemodinâmica AND Morte Encefálica " and "Hemodynamics AND Brain Death" were used. Exclusion criteria were non-human research and gray literature.

RESULTS

A total of 21 articles were listed. As strategies, the use of drugs - noradrenaline (n=8), vasopressin (n=7), dobutamine (n=6), hydrocortisone (n=4) and methylprednisolone (n=4); invasive (n=10) and noninvasive (n=13) cardiac monitoring; control of ventilatory parameters (n=12); and correction of fluid and electrolyte disturbances (n=17) were highlighted.

CONCLUSION

The main strategies found in this integrative review were regulation of blood pressure and temperature, use of catecholamines and corticosteroids, in addition to the need for an early diagnosis of brain death. However, the lack of clearer protocols on the subject is notorious, making management with the potential donor difficult.

Family interview for organ and tissue donation: good practice assumptions

OBJECTIVES

to identify information that can support creating good practice assumptions to develop family interview for organ and tissue donation.

METHODS

this scoping study, conducted in two Brazilian hospitals in the southern, between April and December 2017, included integrative review and consultation with 15 families who experienced interview for organ donation. For data analysis, thematic content analysis was used.

RESULTS

three categories emerged: communication of death, which shows the need to know the history of hospitalization of patients; emotional support, the team must have mastery of the stages of mourning; information about donation, professionals need to know the stages of the donation process and respect families' time.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

good practice assumptions point to the need for team training, respect for family time and the use of simple language.

Brain death and management of the potential donor

One of the first attempts to define brain death (BD) dates from 1963, and since then, the diagnosis criteria of that entity have evolved. In spite of the publication of practice parameters and evidence-based guidelines, BD is still causing concern and controversies in the society. The difficulties in determining brain death and making it understood by family members not only endorse futile therapies and increase health care costs, but also hinder the organ transplantation process. This review aims to give an overview about the definition of BD, causes, physiopathology, diagnosis criteria, and management of the potential brain-dead donor. It is important to note that the BD determination criteria detailed here follow the AAN’s recommendations, but the standard practice for BD diagnosis varies from one country to another.

Validating potential organ and tissue donors in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic: Scoping review and recommendations construction

OBJECTIVE

To identify the available information to support registered nurses' clinical decisions in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

This is a scoping review developed in six stages. The sixth stage was developed with registered nurses who work in the Brazil Organ Donation System. To consolidate the information and prepare all assumptions, the legislation in force in Brazil was followed.

RESULTS

Recommendations from 19 articles identified in the literature were analyzed; additionally, 52 professionals who work at Brazil Organ Donation System participated in the research. Four care assumptions were formed: investigation of community transmission, investigation of clinical situations, screening for COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and investigation of alterations presented in the physical examination. Such assumptions are formed by 34 care guidelines.

DISCUSSION

Care assumptions were prepared to guide and support registered nurses during assessment and validation of potential organ and tissue donors. From this perspective, assumptions certainly promote safety, effectiveness and quality in the service offered during the organ and tissue donation process in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to empowering registered nurses in this scenario. Quality and bio-surveillance through the donation stages have been discussed extensively in recent times, to improve donation and transplantations by valuing care, safety, and quality of life of recipients.

CONCLUSION

The care assumptions presented in this study support and subsidize the daily practice of registered nurses who work in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors, enabling these professionals to make decisions based on secure information.

Trend of transplants and organ and tissue donations in Brazil: a time series analysis

OBJECTIVES

to indentify the time trend of rates of organs and tissues effective donors, of reports and types of transplanted organs per million people of the Brazilian population.

METHODS

ecological study, of time series, about reports of organ donations and on transplants. The data were provided by the Registro Brasileiro de Transplantes and analyzed using polynomial regression.

RESULTS

an increasing trend was found for potential donors and effective donors, with an average increase of 2.33 and 0.92 per year, respectively. The South Region had the highest rate of potential donors (83.8) and effective donors (34.1) and the North Region, the lowest rate (20.2 and 3.9). The family refusal was the main obstacle to accomplish the donation.

CONCLUSIONS

the results show an increasing trend of potential donors and effective donors throughout Brazil, with emphasis on the southern region of the country. Among the main reasons for non-donation, it is worth emphasizing family refusal and medical contraindication prescription.

500 Consecutive Liver Transplants: The Outcomes of a New Transplantation Program in the Middle West of Brazil

INTRODUCTION

Liver transplantation is the standard treatment for end-stage liver disease. Brazil holds the third highest number of liver transplants performed per year, but center maldistribution results in high discrepancies in accessing this treatment. In 2012, an interstate partnership successfully implemented a new liver transplantation program in the middle west of Brazil. Here, we report the results of the first 500 liver transplants performed in this new program and discuss the impacts of a new transplant center in regional transplantation dynamics.

METHODS

We reviewed data from the first 500 consecutive deceased donor liver transplants performed in the new program during an 8-year period. We analyzed data on patients' clinical and demographic profiles, postoperative outcomes, and graft and recipient survival rates. Univariate survival analysis was conducted using log-rank tests to compare the groups.

RESULTS

Almost half (48%) of the procured organs and 40% of the recipients transplanted in our center were from outside our state. Recipient 30-day mortality was 9%. Overall recipient survival at 1 year and 5 years was 85% and 80%, respectively. Mortality was significantly associated with higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (P < .001) but not with the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (P = .795).

DISCUSSION

The new transplantation program treated patients from different regions of Brazil and became the reference center in liver transplantation for the middle west region. Despite the recent implementation, our outcomes are comparable to experienced centers around the world. This model can inspire the creation of new transplantation programs aiming to democratize access to liver transplantation nationwide.

Computed tomography angiography accuracy in brain death diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to answer several concerns disclosed by systematic reviews indicating no evidence to support the use of computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis of brain death (BD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of CTA for the diagnosis of BD and to define the optimal tomographic criteria of intracranial circulatory arrest.

METHODS

A unicenter, prospective, observational case-control study was undertaken. Comatose patients (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 5), even those presenting with the first signs of BD, were included. CTA scanning of arterial and venous vasculature and transcranial Doppler (TCD) were performed. A neurological determination of BD and consequently determination of case (BD group) or control (no-BD group) was conducted. All personnel involved with assessing patients were blinded to further tests results. Accuracy of BD diagnosis determined by using CTA was calculated based on the criteria of bilateral absence of visualization of the internal cerebral veins and the distal middle cerebral arteries, the 4-point score (4PS), and an exclusive criterion of absence of deep brain venous drainage as indicated by the absence of deep venous opacification on CTA, the venous score (VS), which considers only the internal cerebral veins bilaterally.

RESULTS

A total of 106 patients were enrolled in this study; 52 patients did not have BD, and none of these patients had circulatory arrest observed by CTA or TCD (100% specificity). Of the 54 patients with a clinical diagnosis of BD, 33 met the 4PS (61.1% sensitivity), whereas 47 met the VS (87% sensitivity). The accuracy of CTA was time related, with greater accuracy when scanning was performed less than 12 hours prior to the neurological assessment, reaching 95.5% sensitivity with the VS.

CONCLUSIONS

CTA can reliably support a diagnosis of BD. The criterion of the absence of deep venous opacification, which can be assessed by use of the VS criteria investigated in this study, can confirm the occurrence of cerebral circulatory arrest.Clinical trial registration no.: 12500913400000068 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Implementing of Active Brain-Dead Donor Identification Strategy in a Single Donor Center: One Year Experience

Background and objectives: Organ shortage is considered to be a major limitation for increasing transplantation rates. Brain-dead donors (DBDs) are an important source of organs, but up to 50% of potential DBDs might not be identified. An active brain-dead donor search could potentially increase a deceased donor pool. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an active potential DBD identification program and to evaluate one year impact on the potential organ donor pool in Lithuania‘s biggest medical institution. Materials and Methods: An organ donor coordinator service was established and active DBD search strategy was implemented in the hospital of LSMU Kauno Klinikos, and retrospective data analysis was performed between December 2016 and December 2017. Collected data was compared to the available data of the previous year in the same center and to the donation dynamics of the whole country. Results: A total of 6734 patients were treated in all intensive care units (ICU), and 234 (3.5%) of them were identified as possible donors. No increase in potential donor’s number was observed in study year (n = 34) compared to remote year (n = 37). No significant difference in potential donor’s demographic data, cause of death, family refusals and medical contraindication rates. Cerebral angiography (CA) repeated in 20% of potential donors in order to confirm brain death diagnosis. More potential donors for whom CA was repeated had decompressive craniectomy done (66.7% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.018). Decompressive craniectomy statistically significantly increases the rate of repeated CA (OR 12.7; 95% CI, 1.42–113.37; p = 0.023). Active search strategy increased length of hospital stay of potential donors comparing to previous year (3.97 ± 4.73 vs. 2.51 ± 2.63, p = 0.003). An optimal time of the first four days of hospitalization to identify a potential donor was observed during our study (OR 10.42; 95% CI, 4.29–25.34; p = 0.001). Conclusions: We were not able to demonstrate active donor identification strategy superiority over the passive strategy during a short one year period; nevertheless, valuable knowledge was gained in brain death diagnostics, new terminology was implemented, and the stability of actual donor numbers was observed in the experimental donor center in the light of decreasing national results. Long-term strategy is required to achieve sustainable results in organ donation.

Ischemia and reperfusion injury in uterus transplantation: A comprehensive review

Uterus transplantation (UTx) is the only available treatment for human beings who cannot carry children out to term. However, despite several clinical studies with a very limited number of UTx many issues have to be addressed. Up to date, there is a limited number of successful UTx with livebirth and the majority was achieved with live donors. Wide clinical application is inherently limited by the lack of organs, ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) as well as immunosuppression after UTx. The objective of this comprehensive literature review is to discuss these arising limitations of UTx with main focus on strategies to reduce IRI. This review showed, that usage of immunosuppressants, opioids or supplements, like amino acids, protects uterus from IRI, improving rising level of antioxidants and decreasing level of oxidative stress markers. The available data of experimental and clinical studies was compiled and will be discussed.

Impact of Donor Positive Blood Culture in Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

INTRODUCTION

In the era of shortage of organs for donation, transplantation from suboptimal donors is an expanding alternative to minimize waitlist mortality. In that sense, the safety of using organs from bacteremic donors has been a recurrent matter of discussion. We aimed to evaluate the influence of donor positive blood culture in the recipient and graft outcomes after liver transplantation from deceased donors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Blood culture results from 255 deceased liver donors were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the recipients who obtained a graft from a donor with negative or positive blood culture. Graft and recipient outcomes were compared between the 2 groups using univariate survival analysis and multivariate regression models. Transmission of bloodstream infection from donor to recipient was assessed by reviewing recipients' microbiologic status when there was evidence of infection.

RESULTS

Positive blood culture in donors was not associated with negative outcomes after transplantation. Death within 30 days after transplantation and overall recipient and graft survival did not differ between the 2 groups. Only Child-Pugh score ≥10 and retransplantation status were considered independent predictors of recipient death and graft failure. We identified 1 potential case of bacteremia transmission from donor to recipient.

CONCLUSION

Donor positive blood culture was not associated with negative outcomes after liver transplantation. Transmission of infection from donor to recipient is possible, but rare. The results support the usage of bacteremic donors as a safe alternative to the scarcity of optimal donors.

Clinical epigenetics and multidrug-resistant bacterial infections: host remodelling in critical illness

The inappropriate use of antibiotics in man is driving to insurgence of pathogenic bacteria resistant to multiple drugs (MDR) representing a challenge in critical illness. The interaction of MDR bacteria with host cells can guide molecular perturbations of host transcriptional programmes involving epigenetic-sensitive mechanisms, mainly DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs leading to pathogen survival. Clinical evidence of epigenetic manipulation from MDR bacteria mainly arises from Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as Helicobacter pylori, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Legionella pneumophila infection suggesting possible biomarkers of disease. For example, DNA hypermethylation of E-cadherin (CDH1), upstream transcription factor 1/2 (USF1/2), WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), and mutL homolog 1 (MLH1) genes in gastric mucosa is correlated with malignancy suggesting useful biomarkers of early disease state. Moreover, upregulated circulating miR-361-5p, miR-889, miR-576-3p may be useful biomarkers to discriminate tuberculosis patients. Moreover, Listeria monocytogenes can indirectly induce H3 hyperacetylation leading to inflammation in human endothelial cells whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa excretes QS 2-AA to directly induce H3 deacetylation leading to bacterial persistence in human monocytes. Remarkably, epigenetic-sensitive drugs may aid to counteract MDR in clinical setting. Trichostatin A, a histone deacetyltransferase inhibitor (HDACi), leads to AMP β-defensin 2 (HBD2) gene up-regulation in human epithelial cells suggesting a useful 'epi-therapy' for Escherichia coli-induced intestinal diseases. We update on the most current clinical studies focusing on epigenetic changes involved in bacterial-host interactions and their putative role as biomarkers or drug targets to improve precision medicine and personalized therapy in critical illness and transplantation setting.

Public opinion and legislations related to brain death, circulatory death and organ donation

BACKGROUND

It is poorly understood how public perception of the difference between brain death and circulatory death may influence attitudes towards organ donation. We investigated the public opinion on brain death versus circulatory death and documented inconsistencies in the legislations of countries with different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

METHODS

Using a crowdsourcing approach, we randomized 1072 participants from 30 countries to a case report of organ donation after brain death or to one following circulatory death. Further, we sampled guidelines from 24 countries and 5 continents.

RESULTS

Of all participants, 73% stated they would be willing to donate all organs, while 16% would want to donate some of their organs. To increase the rate of donations, 47% would agree with organ donation without family consent as the default. Exposure to "brain death" was not associated with a lesser likelihood of participants agreeing with organ donation (82.1%) compared to "circulatory death" (81.9%; relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.03; p = .11). However, participants exposed to "circulatory death" were more certain that the patient was truly dead (87.9% ± 19.7%) than participants exposed to "brain death" (84.1% ± 22.7%; Cohen's d 0.18; p = 0:004). Sampling of guidelines revealed large differences between countries regarding procedures required to confirm brain death and circulatory death, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of organ donation after circulatory death is unlikely to negatively influence the willingness to donate organs, but legislation is still brain death-based in most countries. The time seems ripe to increase the rate of circulatory death-based organ donation.

MANAGEMENT OF NURSE CARE IN THE ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION PROCESS

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the activities developed by nurses in care management in the organ and tissue donation process. Method: this is a quantitative, retrospective, exploratory and descriptive study, carried out in two hospital institutions in southern Brazil, between June 2013 and June 2016. The sample consisted of 104 records of patients notified to the State Transplant Center. For data analysis, descriptive statistics were used. Results: at Institution A, 70.2% (73) of medical records were analyzed and at Institution B, 29.8% (31). As for activities developed by nurses, it is noteworthy that in the first, they carried out 1,299 management activities (93.7%) and in the second, 317 (53.9%). As for assistance activities, in the first, 507 (83.1%) and in the second, 217 (63.1%) activities. With regard to nursing care, care should be taken to maintain temperature, water balance and glycemic control. Conclusion: it was possible to identify that nurses develop a greater number of actions aimed at management issues in the donation process. As for assistance, there was a greater concern with maintaining the temperature.

Criteria to Identify a Potential Deceased Organ Donor: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the global published literature defining a potential deceased organ donor and identifying clinical triggers for deceased organ donation identification and referral.

DATA SOURCES

Medline and Embase databases from January 2006 to September 2017.

STUDY SELECTION

All published studies containing a definition of a potential deceased organ donor and/or clinical triggers for referring a potential deceased organ donor were eligible for inclusion. Dual, independent screening was conducted of 3,857 citations.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data extraction was completed by one team member and verified by a second team member. Thematic content analysis was used to identify clinical criteria for potential deceased organ donation identification from the published definitions and clinical triggers.

DATA SYNTHESIS

One hundred twenty-four articles were included in the review. Criteria fell into four categories: Neurological, Medical Decision, Cardiorespiratory, and Administrative. Distinct and globally consistent sets of clinical criteria by type of deceased organ donation (neurologic death determination, controlled donation after circulatory determination of death, and uncontrolled donation after circulatory determination of death) are reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the clinical criteria sets reported will reduce ambiguity associated with the deceased organ donor identification and the subsequent referral process, potentially reducing the number of missed donors and saving lives globally through increased transplantation.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Systemic Infection in Deceased Donors

BACKGROUND

Organ donation shortage is the primary barrier to all organ transplantations.Infectious disease transmission through transplantation is considered controversial for organ retrieval. Donors with bacteremia and sepsis are considered controversial for organ retrieval due to potential transmission of an infectious agent to the recipient.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the results of bacterial culture of the donor's blood from peripheral venous or central venous catheter, urine, and bronchial aspiration from the organ donation registries of 102 potential donors from the Ministry of Health and Tissue Transplant Coordination Center of Istanbul Region in 2015.

RESULTS

Of the 102 deceased donors included in the analysis, 24 (23.5%) had infection. The most common sites of infection were the bloodstream (41.6%) and the respiratory system (37.5%). The most common isolated pathogens of the bacterial cultures were Gram-positive bacteria (21), Gram-negative microorganisms (14), and Candida (1). The significant risk factor for infection was duration of stay at the intensive care unit (median: 5 day; 25-75%: 3-5 day) (odds ratio, 2.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-8.12; P < .05). The presence of infection in the donor accounted for a significant part of the reasons why the organs were not accepted for transplantation (kidneys 9%, liver 4%, heart 6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that deceased donors with prolonged stays in the intensive care unit have an increased risk for developing nosocomial infections; so there is a need for establishing and enforcing the prevention and control of infection in possible donors.

Liver Donations and Transplants in the State of Paraná, Brazil

BACKGROUND

The increase in the waiting list for a liver and the high mortality rate of patients with terminal liver disease represent serious public health problems in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze donations and liver transplants in the State of Paraná, Brazil.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was carried out with data from 3931 reports of deaths due to brain death and 8146 solid organ transplants made available by the State Transplant System of Paraná between 2011 and 2016. The data related to donation and liver transplantation were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inference.

RESULTS

A total of 751 (28.9%) liver donations were carried out. Of these, the greatest chance of effectiveness occurred in patients younger than 50 years OR: 1.94 (CI: 1.60-2.34; P < .01) and male OR: 1.27 (CI: 1.06-1.52; P < .01). A total of 720 (8.8%) liver transplants were performed, most of which were funded by the Unified Health System. There was a significant increase in donations and liver transplants over the years.

CONCLUSION

Donor numbers and liver transplants increased in the State but did not meet the need for the waiting list within the analyzed period.

A Comparison Study of Real-Time Ultrasound Elastography and Electron Microscopy for the Assessment of Liver Damage Induced by Brain Death

The aim of this study was to investigate the specificity and sensitivity of real-time ultrasound elastography (RTE) in the evaluation of liver damage induced by brain death and the correlation with ultrastructural changes in liver tissue. Eleven RTE parameters before brain death and at 0, 3, 6 and 9 h after brain death in 12 miniature pigs were collected and analyzed, and the correlation of these parameters with electron microscopy results was explored. Six of the RTE parameters, namely, mean relative strain value within the region of interest, standard deviation of the relative strain value within the region of interest, area of low strain within the region of interest, complexity of low strain area within the region of interest, skewness and correlation, significantly differed among the time periods. Categorical data were analyzed using the χ²-test. Spearman's correlation analysis was used for evaluating correlations between RTE parameters and electron microscopy results, and the correlation coefficients (r) were calculated. Electron microscopy results revealed that liver damage gradually increased after brain death, with significant differences between 0 and 9 h (χ² = 14.143, p value = 0.027). In addition, the six aforementioned RTE parameters significantly correlated with electron microscopy results, with the mean relative strain value within the region of interest being the strongest (r = -0.59, p value < 0.001) correlated parameter. RTE could provide preliminary assessment of liver damage induced by brain death, and correlates to ultrastructural changes in liver tissue.

Initial researches on neuro-functional status and evolution in chronic ethanol consumers with recent traumatic spinal cord injury

We found differences related to the neuro-functional deficiency and clinical progress, among non-consumers and chronic consumers of ethanol, with recent traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). We present a synthesis of related data on lesion mechanisms in post-traumatic myelogenous disorders, namely some of the alcohols and their actions on the nervous system, with details on the influences exerted, in such afflictions, by the chronic consumption of ethanol. The subject is not frequently approached - according to a literature review with systematic elements, which we have done before - thus constituting a niche that deserves to be further explored. The applicative component of the article highlights statistical data resulted from a retrospective study regarding the specialized casuistry from the Neuromuscular Recovery Clinic of the "Bagdasar Arseni" Emergency Clinical Hospital, following the comparative analysis of two groups of patients with recent SCI: non-consumers - the control group (n=780) - and chronic ethanol consumers - the study group (n=225) - with the addition of a prospective pilot component. Data processing has been achieved with SPSS 24. The American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) mean motor scores differ significantly (tests: Mann-Whitney and t) between the control and study group in favor of the second, both at admission (p<0.001) and at discharge (p<0.001). AIS mean sensitive scores differ between the two lots, and also in favor of the study, but statistically significant only at discharge (p=0.048); the difference at admission is not significant (p=0.51) - possibly because of alcoholic-nutritional polyneuropathy. These findings, with numerous related details, later presented in the text, are surprising, which requires further studies and attempts of understanding.

Cultura de segurança no processo de doação de órgãos: revisão de literatura

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o desenvolvimento da cultura de segurança no processo de doação de órgãos e transplantes na literatura científica. Métodos Revisão integrativa da literatura a partir das bases de dados CINAHL, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science e na biblioteca eletrônica SciELO, de 2012 a 2016, com sintaxe de palavras-chaves e descritores para cada base, sendo selecionados 14 artigos para análise. Resultados Foram detectados 1.659 estudos, desses, 33 foram lidos na íntegra, sendo definido para coleta dos dados 14 estudos. As informações obtidas foram analisadas criticamentre e agrupadas em duas categorias: Na Categoria 1 – Cultura de segurança no uso de medicamentos no período pós-transplante: destaca-se como fundamental o envolvimento da equipe multidisciplinar na orientação da alta hospitalar no transplante e ainda, os principais fatores de erros no uso dos fármacos. Na Categoria 2 – Cultura de segurança nas unidades transplantadoras: apresenta-se questões relacionadas à segurança dos pacientes submetidos aos transplantes nos períodos pré e intra-operatórios. Conclusão Por meio desse estudo, observou-se que a temática da cultura de segurança no processo de doação e transplante de órgãos está incipiente na literatura sendo necessário desenvolvimento de estudos bem delineados e relacionando à cultura de segurança do paciente em todas as etapas do processo de doação e transplantes.

Association between quality of life and prognosis of candidate patients for heart transplantation: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

to verify the association between the prognostic scores and the quality of life of candidates for heart transplantation.

METHOD

a descriptive cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 32 outpatients applying to heart transplantation. The prognosis was rated by the Heart Failure Survival Score (HFSS) and the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM); and the quality of life by the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). The Pearson correlation test was applied.

RESULTS

the correlations found between general quality of life scores and prognostic scores were (HFSS/MLHFQ r = 0.21), (SHFM/MLHFQ r = 0.09), (HFSS/KCCQ r = -0.02), (SHFM/KCCQ r = -0.20).

CONCLUSION

the weak correlation between the prognostic and quality of life scores suggests a lack of association between the measures, i.e., worse prognosis does not mean worse quality of life and the same statement is true in the opposite direction.

Doações e transplantes cardíacos no estado do Paraná

Resumo OBJETIVO Analisar as doações e transplantes cardíacos realizados no estado do Paraná. MÉTODO Estudo transversal com 3.931 relatórios de óbitos por morte encefálica e 8.416 transplantes realizados no estado do Paraná, entre 2011 e 2016. As doações e transplantes cardíacos foram analisados de forma descritiva, univariada e múltipla. RESULTADOS Dos 2.600 doadores elegíveis, 128 (4,9%) doaram o coração. A chance de efetivação da doação cardíaca foi maior entre os óbitos com idade menor que 40 anos (OR:27,913) e do sexo masculino (OR:1,559). Somado aos corações advindos de outros estados, realizaram-se 165 (2,0%) transplantes cardíacos, todos financiados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde. Houve um aumento significativo de doações e transplantes ao longo dos anos. CONCLUSÃO Os números de doações e transplantes cardíacos foram baixos no período analisado. Torna-se importante que os gestores elaborem ações para a otimização do processo e, consequentemente, a diminuição do tempo de espera por um coração.

Challenges of Organ Donation: Potential Donors for Transplantation in an Area of Brazil's Northeast

BACKGROUND

New strategies to manage the pool of potential donors are needed to increase organ donation rates. The purpose of the study was to identify the main causes of lack of organ donation and to identify the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of potential organ donors in an area of northeastern Brazil.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective, observational study between November 2015 and January 2017.

RESULTS

A total of 150 potential donors were included in the sample. The main cause of death among potential donors was hemorrhagic stroke (35.3%). Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (25.6%). Family member's refusal was cited as the most common reason for not performing organ donation (49.4%). Among the causes of family member's refusal, the most prevalent was declaration of non-consent in life (23%), followed by family disagreement (20.3%).

CONCLUSION

There is clearly a need for public educational efforts with regard to organ donation. Educational advertising campaigns can help improve the authorization rate of organ donation.

Brain Death in Intensive Care Units: Problems, Differences in Methods of Diagnosis, and Donor Care

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to investigate the most common problems in diagnosing brain death, the care of the organ donor, and organ donation after death.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A survey was sent randomly to clinicians working in national intensive care units in Turkey. The survey, which consisted of 17 questions for clinicians, had 163 responders.

RESULTS

The most common cause of brain death was traumatic brain injury. Although 22% of clinicians found the apnea test necessary for brain death diagnosis, 78% stated that it could be used as an optional confirmatory test. However, 65.6% of the clinicians were not familiar with the modified apnea test. The most frequently used vasoactive agent for hypotension in patients with brain death was noradrenaline (54.6%) and dopamine (41.6%). Regarding time of death, 50.3% of clinicians considered it as the time and date when the patient was diagnosed with brain death and 47.8% as the time and date of cardiac arrest. When asked whether they terminate the treatment of a patient with brain death when organ donation is rejected, only 16.1% discontinued all advanced life support. According to the survey, the most common reason for not accepting organ transplant was for religious reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

In intensive care units, differences in definitions and care of patients with brain death continue to be a complication. There has been a lack of progress in criterion standards of brain death diagnosis and donor care, as verified by our survey.

Predictors of Organ Donation Among Patients With Brain Death in the Intensive Care Unit

INTRODUCTION

Despite the improved care of potential organ donors with probable brain death (BD) in the intensive care unit (ICU), few epidemiologic and clinical data are available in developing countries.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate ICU patients with suspected BD aiming to identify factors possibly related to success (organ donation) or failure (nondonation).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study, from the patient records of an adult ICU of a Brazilian teaching hospital for 12 months. Data were tabulated, and descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

During the study period, 85 patients with acute neurologic diseases and suspected BD were admitted to the ICU and included for analysis. Of these, there were 9 organ donors (7 liver and 9 kidney donors); 77.7% were men, with a mean age of 39.6 years and admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II of 25.5. Two-thirds of the patients were victims of trauma. The mean time between acute neurologic event and organ withdrawal was 269 hours. The main prognostic factors related to the success of organ donation were the maximum serum lactate and creatinine levels during ICU admission.

CONCLUSIONS

The main clinical factors correlated with nonevolution for organ donation among ICU patients with clinical suspicion of BD were related to patient severity and organic dysfunction: serum lactate and creatinine level. Clinical care and monitoring are emphasized to improve the efficiency of the donation process.

Efetividade do processo de doação de órgãos para transplantes

Resumo Objetivo: Verificar a efetividade do processo de doação de órgãos para transplantes no Estado do Paraná. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com dados disponibilizados pelo Sistema Estadual de Transplantes do Paraná referentes ao processo de doação de órgãos, no período de 2011 a 2016. Das 3.872 notificações de potenciais doadores em morte encefálica, 2.600 foram incluídas neste estudo por se constituírem em doadores elegíveis de órgãos. Avaliou-se os desfechos dos protocolos e variáveis relacionadas aos doadores elegíveis, aos centros notificantes e às notificações. Os dados foram analisados descritivamente por frequências absolutas e relativas, e calculou-se odds ratio verificando-se a associação pelo teste de Qui-Quadrado de Wald, em que considerou-se p<0,05 como significância estatística. Resultados: Entre os 2.600 doadores elegíveis, 1.267 (48,7%) tornaram-se doadores efetivos de órgãos. Como principais obstáculos do processo destacaram-se a parada cardiorrespiratória, a sepse e a recusa familiar. As chances de efetivação da doação foram significativamente maiores nos indivíduos com menos de 60 anos (p<0,001), do sexo masculino (p=0,001) e notificados pelas Macrorregionais Leste e Oeste do Estado (p<0,001). O percentual de doações de órgãos aumentou de 38,8% para 66,5% no período estudado. Conclusão: O Paraná apresentou crescimento expressivo no número de notificações e doações de órgãos nos últimos seis anos. As fragilidades identificadas no processo se referiram às questões clínicas e culturais, que indicam a necessidade de intervenções gerenciais de capacitação dos profissionais de saúde na identificação e manutenção do potencial doador, bem como na sensibilização da sociedade quanto a importância do consentimento à doação.

Current Status and Future of Lung Donation in Korea

Lung transplantation is the only effective treatment option for patients with end-stage lung disease. However, donor organ shortage makes timely transplant not possible for all patients, especially in Korea. We investigated the number and utilization of donor lungs by retrospectively reviewing all donor organs registered in the Korea Network for Organ Sharing database from March 2012 to March 2016. The donors were stratified into 4 groups by donor acceptability criteria. A total of 1,304 donors were included. Of those, 295 brain-dead donors (22.6%) consented to lung donation. Among these consented donors, 168 donors (12.9%) were retrieved for lung transplant. Retrieval rate was very low compared with that of the kidney (93.9%), liver (86.3%), and heart (27.3%). The characteristics of utilized donor lungs were: mean age, 40.5 years (range: 18 to 63 years); mean partial pressure of oxygen, 356.5 mmHg; mean smoking history, 5.9 pack-years; and mean body mass index, 22.6 kg/m². The proportion of donors with acceptable condition of the transplanted lungs was only 39.3% (ideal 19, standard 47, marginal 70, unusable 32). Among brain-dead patients who denied to donate lungs (n = 1,009), 82 were potentially acceptable donors (ideal 19, standard 63), which was equal to half of actually transplanted lung donations. Many potential donor lungs, which are currently excluded, may be successfully used in lung transplantation in Korea. The available lung donors must be actively selected and managed to maximize the utilization of this precious resource.

Gene expression in the twilight of death: The increase of thousands of transcripts has implications to transplantation, cancer, and forensic research

After a vertebrate dies, many of its organ systems, tissues, and cells remain functional while its body no longer works as a whole. We define this state as the "twilight of death" - the transition from a living body to a decomposed corpse. We claim that the study of the twilight of death is important to ethical, legal and medical science. We examined gene expression at the twilight of death in the zebrafish and mouse reaching the conclusion that apparently thousands of transcripts significantly increase in abundance from life to several hours/days postmortem relative to live controls. Transcript dynamics of different genes provided "proof-of-principle" that models accurately predict an individual's elapsed-time-of-death (i.e. postmortem interval). While many transcripts were associated with survival and stress compensation, others were associated with epigenetic factors, developmental control, and cancer. Future studies are needed to determine whether the high incidence of cancer in transplant recipients is due to the postmortem processes in donor organs.

Lung Transplantation From Donors After Previous Cardiac Surgery: Ideal Graft in Marginal Donor?

Lung transplantation is a limited by donor pool shortage. Despite the efforts to extend the graft acceptability with recurrent donor criteria reformulations, previous cardiothoracic surgery is still considered a contraindication. A donor who underwent cardiac surgery could potentially provide an ideal lung but high intraoperative risks and intrinsic technical challenges are expected during the graft harvesting. The purpose of this study is to present our dedicated protocol and four clinical cases of successful lung procurements from donors who had a previous major cardiac surgery. One donor had ascending aortic root (AAR) substitution, another had mitral valve substitution, and two had coronary artery bypass surgery. The others' eligibility criteria for organ allocation, such as ABO compatibility, PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio, absence of aspiration, or sepsis were respected. In one of the cases with previous coronary bypass grafting, the donor had a veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Consequently, the grafts required an ex vivo lung perfusion evaluation. We report the technical details of procurement and postoperative courses of recipients. All procurements were uneventful, without lung damage or waste of abdominal organs related to catastrophic intraoperative events. All recipients had a successful clinical outcome. We believe that successful transplantation is achievable even in a complicated setting, such as cases involving donors with previous cardiac surgery frequently are. Facing lung donor shortage, we strongly support any effort to avoid the loss of possible acceptable lungs. In particular, previous major cardiac surgery does not strictly imply a poor quality of lungs as well as unsustainable graft procurement.