Transplantation proceedings
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The objective of this study is to assess the S100B protein serum concentrations from brain dead (BD) donors to understand whether its level could provide clinical information during BD diagnosis as a potential confirmatory test. ⋯ This preliminary analysis shows for the very first time that BD is associated with higher S100B serum levels, compared with other neurocritical care patients. We also found that the cause of BD development must be considered. Specifically, S100B serum levels in severe isolated TBI patients-with clinical exploration compatible with BD-could be used in a future as confirmatory test.
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Comparative Study
RIFLE criteria for acute kidney dysfunction following heart transplantation: incidence and risk factors.
There are few data regarding the occurrence of (RIFLE)-based acute kidney dysfunction (AKD) after heart transplantation (HT) and its risk factors. The aim of this study was to apply RIFLE criteria in patients who developed AKD following HT to compare patients with and without AKD and to determine incidence and risk factors of AKD. ⋯ Our results suggest that based on RIFLE criteria, AKD occur in more than half of HTs postoperatively. Older age and use of cyclosporine are associated with AKD following HT.
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Comparative Study
Male sexual function in patients receiving different types of renal replacement therapy.
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) experience erectile dysfunction (ED). Although it is a benign disorder, ED is related to physical and psychosocial health, and it has a significant impact on the quality of life (QOL). The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of different renal replacement therapies on ED. ⋯ Patients with ESRD had significantly lower sexual function and lower QOL scores than the healthy control men. Notably, the mode of renal replacement therapy had no impact on male sexual function.
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Comparative Study
Aortic valve replacement or heart transplantation in patients with aortic stenosis and severe left ventricular dysfunction.
The decision to perform aortic valve replacement (AVR) or heart transplantation (HTx) for aortic stenosis (AS) with severe left ventricular dysfunction is difficult and may be affected by prior myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary artery disease (CAD). ⋯ In severe AS and LVEF <30% with no concomitant CAD or with CAD requiring one to two bypass grafts, AVR has a survival equal to or exceeding that of HTx. In patients with CAD requiring more than two bypass grafts, survival is significantly reduced, and HTx can be considered.
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Several recent reports demonstrated the usefulness of new biomarkers in early prediction of delayed graft function (DGF) and graft recovery after kidney transplantation (KT). It is unknown, however, whether these biomarkers would predict long-term graft outcome. In this study, we examined whether the biomarkers including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) can predict 1-year graft outcome as well as short-term graft function especially in patients with early graft function (EGF). ⋯ This study demonstrates the possibility that u-NGAL might be useful in predicting adverse 1-year outcome as well as short-term graft function even in EGF patients.