Transplantation proceedings
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Superimposed acute right ventricular dysfunction in the setting of preexisting pulmonary hypertension is a nearly fatal complication after heart transplantation. The optimal treatment modality remains a matter of debate. Recently, sildenafil citrate, a nonselective pulmonary vasodilator, has gained popularity in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in transplant candidates. ⋯ Management of acute right ventricular dysfunction in heart transplant recipients with pulmonary hypertension using sildenafil proved safe and effective.
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Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has proven to be a safe and effective technique in the treatment of respiratory failure complicating various medical and surgical diseases. In recent years, a growing interest has emerged in its adoption for ventilatory assistance in immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing bone marrow, liver, lung, cardiac, and kidney transplantation. Weaning from the ventilator after liver transplantation can take longer because of unsatisfactory gas exchange during various attempts of T-piece trials. ⋯ Clinical experience has shown that properly delivered NIV mostly benefits moderately dyspneic recipients in acute respiratory failure, while it appears less promising and efficient in patients ventilated for extended periods of time. It has proven safe and efficient mainly as (1) a tool to promote an early ventilatory discontinuation and extubation; (2) a prophylactic strategy for preventing postoperative pulmonary complications; and (3) a simple method to start with in cases of acute hypoxic and/or hypercapnic respiratory failure. The improvements in arterial hypoxemia, the decreased ventilatory demand provided with an inspiratory support, as well as the scarcity of hemodynamic repercussions are among the major benefits of this method.
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Since the initiation of the Liver Transplant Program, 500 liver procedures have been performed. Polycystic liver disease (PLD) and polycystic kidney-liver disease (PKLD) have been rare indications for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Only 7 patients (1.4%) underwent transplantation due to PLD and PKLD. ⋯ Patients with PLD can undergo OLT safely with good results. They benefit from the relief of abdominal distension and anorexia. Patients with PKLD who are dialysis-dependent should undergo simultaneous LKT. The surgical technique was solely dependent on the intraoperative conditions determined during the dissection phase.
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We sought to determine the utility of the bispectral index (BIS) as a tool for clinical evaluation of the moment of brain death (BD). ⋯ BIS monitoring is a continuous, simple method that is easy to interpret. It can help in clinical evolution and the decision of the BD moment. In our series, cerebral circulatory cessation (TCD) preceded BIS 0 and SR 100 values. The BIS prematurely detected the start of cerebral circulatory cessation, alerting us of BD.
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Although the risk of kidney donation has been determined in many studies to be low with respect to morbidity and mortality, it is important to keep in mind that patients are put at some risk when they donate an organ for transplantation. The reported incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among kidney donors ranges from 0.2% to 0.5% with varying follow-up times. Herein, we have reported four living kidney donors at our institution who progressed to ESRD. ⋯ Progression to ESRD is rare among living renal donors. Kidney donation is safe when strict eligibility criteria are met. There may be an increased risk for progression to ESRD among donors with a family history of renal disease.