Sequence of refusals for donor quality, organ utilization, and survival after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Lung donor utilization rates remain low, with many organs refused for donor quality. However, some centers have successfully transplanted these organs despite multiple refusals for donor quality (RDQs) by other centers. We hypothesized that the number of refusals due to donor quality does not impact post-transplant outcomes. METHODS: Lung transplants (LTxs) from 2006 to 2015, identified using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database, were matched against the potential transplant recipient (PTR) data set by donor identification. Transplants were categorized into 2 groups: low RDQ (0 to 3 RDQs) and high RDQ (>3 RDQs). Post-transplant survival and predictors for high RDQ were observed using Kaplan‒Meier and logistic regression analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Of 10,126 adult (>18 years) LTxs, 77% had at least 1 RDQ, with a median of 4 RDQs. Post-transplant 1-year survival was similar for both the low and high RDQ groups (p = 0.49). Furthermore, groups of recipients who received donors with an increasing number of RDQs (>3, >6, or >10) also had similar post-transplant 1-year survival (p = 0.77). Treatment for rejection within 1 year and intubation at 72 hours post-transplant were higher in the high RDQ group (p < 0.01). An inverse relationship was identified between the number of RDQs and likelihood of utilization. After 10 RDQs, the likelihood of utilization varied significantly by donor characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Lung transplant survival is not associated with number of refusals due to donor quality. When determining whether an organ is suitable for transplant, the number of refusals due to donor quality should not influence one's decision, especially in this era of limited donor supply.

Ping-Pong Ball, Tumor or Thrombus in the Right Atrium? A Case Report.

Tumors and thrombi are the most common cardiac masses of the right atrium. The use of noninvasive imaging to differentiate between the two can be deceiving, and the clinical judgment of a cardiologist and the emergency of the situation should be partnered to decide on the next step of the management. We present the case of a 29-year-old lady who was receiving neoadjuvant treatment for her rhabdomyosarcoma and was incidentally found to have a very large, very mobile right atrial mass that was protruding in the right ventricle with each cardiac cycle along with findings of a small segmental right lower lobe pulmonary embolism. Along with noninvasive imaging, frozen section analysis procured the wrong diagnosis, and the mass was ultimately found to be a right atrial thrombus on definite pathology review. Exact management of right atrial masses continues to be not well delineated, and when in doubt, final diagnosis might need to be "a posteriori" and based on the treatment response.