Transplantation proceedings
-
We describe the case of a 26-year-old man with acute liver failure secondary to ingestion of khat (Catha edulis) leaves. In fact, this is the first case of acute liver failure due to khat reported outside the United Kingdom. The combination of specific epidemiologic data (young man of East African origin) and clinical features (central nervous system stimulation, withdrawal reactions, toxic autoimmune-like hepatitis) led to the diagnosis. Mechanisms of action and potential side effects of khat are elaborated on.
-
Organ donation after cardiac death has been used for kidney and liver procurement in France since 2006. Until recently, most teams relied on in situ cold perfusion to prepare the donor before organ retrieval. Our team has used since 2007 normothermic abdominal recirculation. ⋯ We present the efficiency results of our organ donation after cardiac death program. After 3 years, we have been able to establish a program in which we use normothermic abdominal recirculation in 97% of donors after cardiac death. The yearly efficiency of this program is comparable to the national efficiency of organ procurement from conventional deceased donors in France.
-
Vascularized composite allotransplantation is a relatively young field that has shown significant growth in the past decade. The subspecialty offers opportunities that are not available with solid organ transplants. However, the field also faces significant hurdles in increasing clinical volumes. The development of innovative immune-reduction strategies will likely determine the pace and direction of growth in the field in the years to come.