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Graft Quality (graft + quality)
Selected AbstractsHarvesting of the Radial Artery for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Comparison of Ultrasonic Harmonic Scalpel Dissector with the Conventional TechniqueJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 3 2009Hosam F. Fawzy M.D. We started routine use of the ultrasonic dissecting scalpel in harvesting radial arteries aiming to minimize harvesting time, improve graft quality, and reduce wound complications. Methods: Radial artery harvesting technique using harmonic scalpel (HS; 43 patients) was compared with the conventional technique (Hemostatic clips and scissors; 53 patients). To avoid spasm, the radial artery was not skeletonized and papaverine was used to irrigate radial artery routinely in all patients. Results: Compared to the conventional technique, radial artery harvesting using the HS has a significantly shorter harvesting time (25 minutes vs. 50 minutes, p < 0.001) and required a significantly smaller number of hemostatic clips (3 vs. 40, p < 0.001). In situ free blood flow was significantly higher in HS group (80 mL/min vs. 40 mL/min, p < 0.001). There was no forearm wound infection in the HS group. There was no graft failure, reoperation for bleeding, or hand ischemia with the use of either technique. Conclusion: Harvesting the radial artery using the HS is less time consuming and decreased the use of hemostatic clips rather atraumatic with good quality graft. [source] Kidney Injury Molecule-1 is an Early Noninvasive Indicator for Donor Brain Death-Induced Injury Prior to Kidney TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2009W. N. Nijboer With more marginal deceased donors affecting graft viability, there is a need for specific parameters to assess kidney graft quality at the time of organ procurement in the deceased donor. Recently, kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) was described as an early biomarker of renal proximal tubular damage. We assessed Kim-1 in a small animal brain death model as an early and noninvasive marker for donor-derived injury related to brain death and its sequelae, with subsequent confirmation in human donors. In rat kidney, real-time PCR revealed a 46-fold Kim-1 gene upregulation after 4 h of brain death. In situ hybridization showed proximal tubular Kim-1 localization, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Also, Luminex assay showed a 6.6-fold Kim-1 rise in urine after 4 h of brain death. In human donors, 2.5-fold kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) gene upregulation and 2-fold higher urine levels were found in donation after brain death (DBD) donors compared to living kidney donors. Multiple regression analysis showed that urinary KIM-1 at brain death diagnosis was a positive predictor of recipient serum creatinine, 14 days (p < 0.001) and 1 year (p < 0.05) after kidney transplantation. In conclusion, we think that Kim-1 is a promising novel marker for the early, organ specific and noninvasive detection of brain death-induced donor kidney damage. [source] Ischemic Preconditioning (IP) of the Liver as a Safe and Protective Technique against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury (IRI)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2009A. Franchello The aim of the study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of IP in LT, particularly in marginal grafts. From 2007 to 2008, 75 LT donors were randomized to receive IP (IP+) or not (IP,). Considering the graft quality, we divided the main groups in two subgroups (marg+/marg,). IP was performed by 10-min inflow occlusion (Pringle maneuver utilizing a toruniquet). Donor variables considered were gender, age, AST/ALT, ischemia time and steatosis. Recipient variables were gender, age, indication to LT and MELD/CHILD/UNOS score. AST/ALT levels, INR, bilirubin, lactic acid, bile output on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7 were evaluated. Histological analysis was performed evaluating necrosis/steatosis, hepatocyte swelling, PMN infiltration and councilman bodies. Thirty patients received IP+ liver. No differences were seen between groups considering recipient and donor variables. Liver function and AST/ALT levels showed no significant differences between the main two groups. Marginal IP+ showed lower AST levels on day1 compared with untreated marginal livers (936.35 vs. 1268.23; p = 0.026). IP+ livers showed a significant reduction of moderate-severe hepatocyte swelling (33.3% vs. 65.9%; p = 0.043). IP+ patients had a significant reduction of positive early microbiological investigations (36.7% vs. 57.1%; p = 0.042). In our experience IP was safe also in marginal donors, showing a protective role against IRI. [source] Preservation of the donor pancreas for whole pancreas and islet transplantationCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2010Dan Ridgway Ridgway D, Manas D, Shaw J, White S. Preservation of the donor pancreas for whole pancreas and islet transplantation. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 1,19. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract:, Whole pancreas and islet cell transplantation are both reliant upon the procurement and preservation of a high quality donor pancreas for a successful outcome. In the climate of a reducing donor pool it is imperative that donor optimization, meticulous surgical retrieval and evidence based methods of preservation are practiced to ensure optimal graft quality. Moreover expanded criteria donors and novel methods of pancreas preservation have the potential to expand the number of usable grafts and increase the availability of these transplant modalities to suitable patients with diabetes. This article provides a review of the current literature surrounding donor management, surgical technique and the various technologies of organ preservation applicable to the donor pancreas. [source] |