Assessment of Donation Potential After Circulatory Death as the First Step in Implementing and Running a Hospital Program of Organ Procurement.

BACKGROUND: In Poland the potential for organ donation from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors is not known. This assessment will allow the hospital to create a quality organ harvesting system from this group of donors. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the DCD potential based on retrospective analysis of hospital deaths at Hospital Infant Jesus in Warsaw. METHODS: Documentation of 718 deceased patients from 2010 to 2014 was analyzed. This population could be classified as potential DCD donors in IIb category. The deceased's characteristics were analyzed while undergoing the qualification process for DCD. The analysis was to confirm the presence or absence of factors disqualifying kidneys from donation and transplantation. Data from particular departments and from the entire hospital were analyzed. RESULTS: The total number of deaths was 718. Excluding factors from the DCD donation process were found in 664 cases (92%), mainly age >60 and concomitant diseases. The rest of the patients (n = 54.8%) did not have factors that would exclude DCD donation. Group characteristics are given in detail. SUMMARY: The attempt to measure donation potential was done at the Hospital of the Infant Jesus in Warsaw, a large, multispecialty hospital with intensive organ donation and transplantation programs. Results show a potential for DCD donation (54 potential donations over the last 4years), which allows us to create a quality system and algorithms for organ donation after circulation death.

The effects of in vitro hemodilution and fibrinogen concentrate substitution on thromboelastometry analysis in patients qualified for liver transplantation - preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Dilutional coagulopathy might cause life-threatening hemorrhages in liver transplantation. Liver insufficiency is usually accompanied by alteration in fibrinogen (Fib) synthesis, which is one of the main clotting factors providing appropriate hemostasis. Intraoperative hemodilution results in further Fib concentration reduction enhancing coagulopathy and blood loss. Exogenous Fib substitution might prevent this. METHODS: A prospective study with a control group was designed. The study group consists of patients with cirrhosis who qualified for liver transplantation. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were strictly established. The blood collected from participants was diluted up to 30% and 60% with crystalloid (saline) or colloid (hydroxyethyl starch) in 2 parallel series. The first series consisted of diluted blood, the second of diluted blood with Fib concentrate. Thromboelastometry tests were performed on every blood sample. After collecting data from the first 12 participants, we performed a preliminary analysis. RESULTS: The maximum clot formation (MCF) in the EXTEM test decreased with progressive blood dilution in both study arms. The MCF values were lower than 35 mm in every diluted blood sample of the study group. The recovery of decreased MCF after Fib concentrate substitution was observed in both groups. The improvement in clot formation was also expressed as amplitude of clot firmness in the 10th minute (A10) in the FIBTEM test. CONCLUSIONS: Clot formation is disturbed more profoundly by hemodilution in cirrhotic patients. Fib concentrate substitution might be effective in the management of dilutional coagulopathy.

Bioequivalence study of 8 mg ondansetron film-coated tablets in healthy Caucasian volunteers.

The aim of the study was to investigate the bioequivalence of a generic product of 8 mg film-coated tablets (test) to the branded product (reference) at the same strength in order to apply for regulatory approval. The secondary objective of the study was to compare the tolerability of both products. A double blinded, randomized, cross-over, 2-period, comparative study was conducted in healthy Caucasian volunteers under fasting conditions. A single oral dose administration of the test or reference product was followed by a 7-day wash-out period. The ondansetron concentration was determined using a validated high performance liquid chromatography with a UV detection method. The 90% confidence interval of the point estimate (test over reference products) for C(max) and AUC(0-t) fell within the 80.00-125.00% acceptance range. The results of the study indicate that the film-coated tablets of Ondatron 8 mg manufactured by Tarchominskie Zaklady Farmaceutyczne Polfa S.A. (test product) are bioequivalent to those of Zofran manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Export Ltd (reference product). Both products were well tolerated.

Is cystatin C valuable marker of glomerular filtration rate in living kidney donors after uninephrectomy?

BACKGROUND: The determination of kidney function plays a pivotal role in living donors renal assessment because of the long-term hazards of life with one kidney. Guidelines recommend estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by the Modification of Renal Disease (MDRD) or Cockroft-Gault equations for people with normal or near-normal renal function. Cystatin C (CysC) has been introduced as an alternative endogenous marker of GFR. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate residual renal function among living kidney donors by comparing serum CysC concentrations and estimated GFR according to the MDRD formula or the Cockroft-Gault equation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty living kidney donors showed a mean age of 46.14 years. Their GFR was estimated according to the abbreviated MDRD (aMDRD) and Cockroft-Gault formula adjusted for body surface area. Twenty-two donors underwent diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) renal studies. Serum CysC concentrations were measured during the last follow-up visit. GFR values according to Cockroft-Gault formula and MDRD formula were correlated with CysC concentrations using Pearson's linear correlation. RESULTS: Mean GFR according to the aMDRD formula and Cocroft-Gault formula decreased after nephrectomy. The Cockroft-Gault formula overestimated the DTPA GFR in our study. No significant differences were observed between DTPA GFR and GFR estimated using the aMDRD equation. The rate of GFR decrease was approximately 0.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2) per year. No significant correlation was observed between serum CysC concentration and GFR. Microalbuminuria was observed in one patient after nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: aMDRD equation to estimate GFR is more precise than Cockroft-Gault formula and cystatin C in living kidney donors after nephrectomy and should be preferred model in these patients.

Detrimental effect of aprotinin ban on amount of blood loss during liver transplantation: single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Aprotinin, a plasmin inhibitor, had been used for reduction of intraoperative bleeding caused by hyperfibrinolysis during extensive surgery. Prophylaxis with aprotinin to limit blood loss during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) had been widely applied until the drug was weaned off the therapeutic list for severe complications. We compared the need for blood and blood products transfusion in patients undergoing OLT with and without the use of aprotinin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 150 patients, who underwent OLT between March 2004 and August 2008 and were divided into 2 groups: the APRO group (n = 111) after induction of anesthesia was given a bolus of 500 kIU of aprotinin in a 30-minutes infusion followed by 140 kIU/h till the end of the OLT in which aprotinin was not administered, and the NON-APRO group (n = 39). RESULTS: Patients from the NON-APRO group needed significantly more units of packed red blood cells (PRBC) than the APRO group (5.53 ± 4.89 vs 3.99 ± 3.58 units; P = .037). Avoidance of aprotinin administration (ß = 1.408), Child-Pugh score (ß = 0.519), and duration of anhepatic phase (ß = 0.03) affected the volume of transfused blood according to multiple regression analysis (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the important prophylactic role aprotinin used to have during OLT in limiting the need for blood transfusions. Further research and progress in methods of blood loss minimization and monitoring of hemostasis are needed to warrant safe liver transplantation.

The influence of the type of anaesthesia on postoperative pain after kidney transplantation.

The postoperative pain treatment is one of important factors of a successful outcome after kidney transplantation. Improperly controlled pain leads to agitation, tachycardia, hypertension and increases risk of respiratory complications. Many studies have demonstrated good analgetic effect of morphine delivered by the method of patient controlled analgesia (PCA). Because the intensity of postoperative pain in end-stage kidney insufficiency patients can be modified by the type of received anaesthesia, it was decided to analyze the influence of standardized general anaesthesia on postoperative morphine consumption. 140 (ASA III) patients scheduled for kidney transplantation were included. Patients were divided into four groups; group K (control)--anaesthetised with fentanyl and N2O, group 1--fentanyl, N2O plus halothane, group 2--fentanyl, N2O plus propofol, group 3--fentanyl, N2O plus isoflurane. After operation and initial loading dose, PCA infusion of morphine was started. Bolus doses were set to 30 ug/kg, and lockout interval 10 min. Our results suggest that observed greater morphine consumption after GA with the use of propofol is connected with better psychomotor functions. In that group patients were better oriented and more efficiently controlled the PCA pump and pain.

Perioperative single high dose ATG-Fresenius S administration as induction immunosuppressive therapy in cadaveric renal transplantation--preliminary results.

Monoclonal and polyclonal antilymphocyte antibodies have been used successfully in organ transplantation as induction therapy and in the treatment of acute graft rejection. Used for induction the medication is generally given for the first 7-10 days. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of single high dose (9 mg/kg) ATG Fresenius S given perioperatively, before revascularization, to kidney allograft recipients. During last twelve months seventy six, first cadaveric kidney adult recipients were included into the study in two centers (center A-64, center B-12). All patients received triple drug immunosuppression (Neoral, steroids and Cellcept which was replaced by azathioprine after 4 months), and were randomized to receive ATG or not. The follow-up period ranged from 1 month up to 1 year. The preliminary results are very promising, the rejection rate in bolus group was significantly lower than in control. No significant side effects or serious adverse events in both groups were observed.