Last twenty-years activity of cardiovascular tissue banking in Barcelona

The Barcelona Tissue Bank was established from the merge of two previous multi-tissue banks. Potential donors are screened by Donor Center staff and multi-tissue retrieval is performed by specialized own teams. Tissue processing and preservation is performed in clean room facilities by specialised personnel. After quality control of both donor and all tissues results, the heart valves and vascular segments are stored until medical request. The aim of this report is to present the cardiovascular tissue activity and retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of the changes performed in last 20 years. Cardiovascular tissue from 4088 donors was received, specifically 3115 hearts and 2095 vascular segments were processed and evaluated. A total of 48% of the aortic valves, 68% of the pulmonary valves and 75% of the vascular segments were suitable for transplant. The main reason for discarding tissue was macroscopic morphology followed by microbiological results, for both valves and arteries. Altogether, 4360 tissues were distributed for transplantation: 2032 (47%) vascular segments, 1545 (35%) pulmonary valves and 781 (18%) aortic valves. The most common indication for aortic valve surgery was the treatment of endocarditis, while for pulmonary valves, it was congenital malformation reconstruction. Vascular segments were mainly used for reconstruction after ischemia. During this period, a number of changes were made with the goal of enhancing tissue quality, safety and efficacy. These improvements were achieved through the use of a new antibiotic cocktail, increasing of donor age criteria and changing the microbiological control strategy.

Morphology of liver

BACKGROUND

Liver size is related to body surface area. The present study was conducted to assess liver size and to find its relationship with body parameters. Also, the external surface of liver was studied for presence of fissures, which may demarcate the vascular segments and the blood vessels beneath them and may help the surgeon for resection of liver segment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Apparently normal liver specimens were obtained from 50 cadavers aged 19-65 years. Measurements of liver diameters were taken with the help of Vernier Calipers. Volume of liver was taken by water displacement method. Means and standard deviation of data were calculated and liver dimensions were co-related with body parameters.

RESULTS

The mean maximum transverse diameter was 199.4 + 24.5 mm and maximum vertical diameter was 149.5 + 18.7 mm. Significant correlations were observed between Maximum anteroposterior diameter and body mass index (p < 0.05);Vertical diameter at falciform ligament and body weight (p < 0.01);Highly significant correlation was seen between liver volume and body surface area (P < 0.001). The fissures showed underlying veins draining into the inferior vena cava in 40% cases.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant increase in the body parameters with a corresponding increase in the liver dimensions was found. Study of morphology of liver can help the surgeons to dissect in proper planes to make the resection safe. The surface of liver showed 1-3 fissures distributed on all lobes in 70% specimens demarcating the vascular segments, which may help the surgeon during resection of liver.