July 19, 2023, Richmond, VA
The OPTN Board of Directors unanimously approved a new policy that will help more patients receive a lifesaving kidney transplant by getting the right organ to the right patient faster.
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the non-profit organization that contracts with the federal government to serve as the nation’s Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Read the complete press release from UNOS.
By University of Washington School of Medicine
Doctors in Seattle are reporting a history-making case in which a patient received two donor organs, a liver and a heart, to prevent the extreme likelihood that her body would reject a donor heart transplanted alone. In this innovative case, the organ recipient’s own healthy liver was transplanted, domino-like, into a second patient who had advanced liver disease. Read the full article in Medical Xpress.
By Nicole Lou
As long as people got their weekly recommended moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), it didn’t matter if they did it on a “weekend warrior” schedule or more regularly throughout the week, a study found.
Read the full article in MedPage Today.
By Mark E. Neumann
One goal of the Advancing American Kidney Health initiative, which was launched in 2019, was to significantly increase the number of kidney transplants.
The way to do that, according to CMS at the time, was to intervene early and slow chronic kidney disease progression so preemptive transplants could be performed, allowing patients to forgo dialysis.
Read the full story in Healio.
Reviewed by Megan Craig, M. Sc.
A surgical team from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis recently performed the first robotic liver transplant in the U.S. in May at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
A surgical team from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis recently performed the first robotic liver transplant in the U.S. Read the full article in News Medical Life Sciences.
By Regina Schaffer
Editor’s Note: This is part 2 of a three-part Healio Exclusive series on developments and challenges in heart transplantation. Part 1 can be viewed here.
Heart transplant is the most effective treatment for end-stage HF but it is also the scarcest of HF therapies — particularly for patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Read the full article in Healio.
By Scott Buzby
Concomitant chronic kidney disease and diabetes was prognostic of all-cause death and MI within 3 years among women undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation, according to new data. Read the full article in Healio.
Yes, your diet still plays a big role after a kidney transplant. It is important to keep a healthy weight and exercise regularly. A healthy, balanced diet will help prevent high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess weight gain and promote overall wellness and health. Read the full article from National Kidney Foundation.
Mind Your Meds
One of the most important responsibilities you will have after getting your kidney transplant is following a prescribed and complex medication regimen.
Taking immunosuppressant (anti-rejection) medications will be required for the rest of your life. Read the complete article on CareDx.com.
By Shawn M. Carter
While SGLT2 inhibitors are often associated with bone and mineral metabolism irregularities, it remains unclear if these are linked to higher fracture risk in patients with chronic kidney disease, according to recently published research. Read the full article in Healio.