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Ukrainian doctors again visit VUMC to observe organ transplants and protocols

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By Matt Batcheldor

For the second year, a delegation of doctors from Ukraine recently visited Vanderbilt University Medical Center to observe organ transplants and protocols.

With the help of Vanderbilt and other transplant centers, Ukraine has developed a growing transplant program in the country in the last three years, said Borys Todurov, MD, a Ukrainian cardiac surgeon and director of The Heart Institute in Kyiv, who performed the nation’s first heart transplant. Read the complete article in the VUMC Reporter.

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Study Details AKI Prevalence, Risk Factors in Infant Liver Transplant Patients

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By Abigail Brooks, MA

60.2% of infant living-related liver transplant recipients developed AKI within 7 days of surgery and experienced more frequent serious complications, longer hospital stays, and a greater duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation compared to those who did not develop AKI.

Preoperative transfusion and decreased serum creatine levels are independently associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) in infant living-related liver transplant recipients with biliary atresia, according to findings from a retrospective study. Read the full article in HCP Live.

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Patients less likely to finish tests ordered over telehealth vs. in-person visits

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By Andrew Rhoades

Rates of completion for recommended tests and specialty referrals ordered across all visit types were “unacceptably low” at primary care sites, but particularly for telehealth visits, researchers reported.

According to Anthony Zhong, MA, an MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, and colleagues, little is known about how telehealth affects a patient’s likelihood of completing tests and specialty referrals, also known as “diagnostic loop closure.” Read the article in Healio.

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Letter to the Editor: Medicare

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Written and submitted by Robert Lalley of Silver Spring.

As a heart transplant recipient, I am upset by recent Medicare coverage rollbacks by private contractors that limit some patients’ ability to receive simple diagnostic blood tests that detect early signs of organ transplant rejection so doctors can make rapid treatment decisions. This is very concerning because research shows that one out of three heart transplants fail after 5 years, making proactive monitoring essential to patient care.
Read the full article in The Sentinel Newspapers.

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OHSU heart transplant patient thriving nearly three decades after surgery

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Sharol Lucey, one of the longest-living heart transplant patients in Oregon, honors her donor by living life to the fullest, helping others along the way

By Christine Torres Hicks

Grandkids, beach trips, family-filled Christmases and fresh cinnamon rolls are just some memories Sharol Lucey has been making the past 26 years — thanks to a heart donated in 1997.

Lucey is among the longest-living heart transplant patients in Oregon. As she has for many of the past 26 years, the 76-year-old Vancouver resident joined others who have benefited from organ transplants during an August event at Oregon Health & Science University to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. Read the full article in OHSU News.

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Use of kidneys from COVID-positive donors has increased, not linked to worse outcomes

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By Justin Cooper

Kidneys from donors with COVID-19 history are not associated with worse transplant outcomes and are used at higher rates now than earlier in the pandemic, according to a study presented at ASN Kidney Week.

“Every possible strategy to increase the organ pool is important, including using organs from patients infected with COVID-19,” Mengmeng Ji, PhD, MS, MBBS, lead author of the study, told Healio. Read the full article in Healio.

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AI-enabled technology independently predicts cardiac events based on coronary inflammation

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By Erik Swain

PHILADELPHIA — An artificial intelligence-based technology that evaluates coronary inflammation predicted risk for cardiac events in patients undergoing coronary CTA, according to new study data.

In the ORFAN study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, risk based on coronary inflammation was a strong predictor of cardiac events even in patients with no obstructive CAD showing no plaque or zero calcium score. Read the full article in Healio.

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Donors, Recipients, Practitioners All Face Barriers to Kidney Transplantation

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By Kyle Munz

Presenters at ASN Kidney Week 2023 emphasized the importance of patient education, awareness, and advocacy in the realm of kidney transplantation.

A session at ASN Kidney Week 2023 offered first-perspectives from patients and professionals on the growing efforts to mitigate barriers and inequities impacting patients in need of kidney transplants. Presentations featured stories from a kidney transplant recipient and donor, as well as evidence-based knowledge highlighting the needs to increase donor numbers and patient engagement. Read the full article in AJMC.

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Study: Older kidney transplant patients metabolize immunosuppressive drugs slower than younger people

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By Laurie Kaiser

At one time, individuals over age 65 typically did not qualify for a kidney transplant. Now, due to advances in medicine and longer life expectancies, these patients represent approximately 15% of all kidney transplants, according to UB researchers. Meanwhile, transplants that were performed in younger patients decades ago last longer, and these recipients are now aging.

Therefore, age-related issues can arise in some older transplant recipients that affect their long-term care and dosing of their essential immunosuppressive medicines.
Read more in UB Now.

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