Results of kidney transplantation from donors after cardiac death.

in Transplantation Proceedings (2010), 42(7), 2407-14

Confronting the organ donor shortage, many transplant centers around the world increasingly use donors after cardiac death (DCD). Over the past 20 years, follow-up studies in kidney recipients comparing ... [more ▼]

Confronting the organ donor shortage, many transplant centers around the world increasingly use donors after cardiac death (DCD). Over the past 20 years, follow-up studies in kidney recipients comparing DCD and donors after brain death (DBD) have shown comparable long-term graft function and survival. As a consequence, DCD programs should be continued and expanded, for these donors constitute a potential solution to the imbalance between the numbers of end-stage kidney disease patients on waiting lists versus available kidney grafts. DCD kidneys do not necessarily signify suboptimal grafts; they may merit to be allocated the same as DBD grafts. [less ▲]

Liver transplantation from donation after cardiac death donors: initial Belgian experience 2003-2007.

in Transplant International (2010), 23(6), 611-618

The Belgian experience with donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver transplantation (LT) was retrospectively reviewed, particularly evaluating patient and graft survivals, and biliary complications. From ... [more ▼]

The Belgian experience with donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver transplantation (LT) was retrospectively reviewed, particularly evaluating patient and graft survivals, and biliary complications. From 2003 to 2007, 58 DCD-LT were performed in Belgium. Mean procurement total warm ischemia time was 25 +/- 2 min (mean +/- SEM). Mean cold ischemia time was 451 +/- 18 min. Mean follow-up was 23 +/- 2.2 months. Post-transplant peak aspartate aminotransminases was 2241 +/- 338 UI/l. Patient survivals at 1 month, 1 and 3 years, were 91.3%, 83.3% and 66.9% respectively. Graft survivals at 1 month, 1 and 3 years, were 84.4%, 72.4% and 48.8% respectively. Two patients (3.4%) developed primary nonfunction. Regarding the biliary complications, seven grafts (12%) were lost because of intrahepatic cholangiopathy, and 12 other patients (20.6%) developed bile duct stenoses requiring endoscopic and/or surgical management. The rate of symptomatic ischemic biliary lesions for grafts surviving more than 3 months was 38% (19/50). Although DCD organ donors may be a source of viable liver grafts, results were inferior to those obtained with donation after brain death LT in this series. Prognostic criteria have to be developed to improve results of DCD-LT. [less ▲]

Donation after Cardiac Death In Liver Transplantation :is donor age an issue?

in Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica (2010), 35(1), 25

Scarless cholecystectomy: laparoscopic surgery by unique umbilical incision

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2010), 65(10), 543-4

Liver transplantation (LT) from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors: Multicenter Belgian experience 2003-2007

in Transplant International (2009, August), 22(S2), 62-234

Liver transplantation from controlled donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors: a single center experience

in Liver Transplantation (2009, July), 15(7), 180-181

Organ Procurement After Euthanasia: Belgian Experience

in Transplantation Proceedings (2009), 41

Euthanasia was legalized in Belgium in 2002 for adults under strict conditions. The patient must be in a medically futile condition and of constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot ... [more ▼]

Euthanasia was legalized in Belgium in 2002 for adults under strict conditions. The patient must be in a medically futile condition and of constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated, resulting from a serious and incurable disorder caused by illness or accident. Between 2005 and 2007, 4 patients (3 in Antwerp and 1 in Liège) expressed their will for organ donation after their request for euthanasia was granted. Patients were aged 43 to 50 years and had a debilitating neurologic disease, either after severe cerebrovascular accident or primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Ethical boards requested complete written scenario with informed consent of donor and relatives, clear separation between euthanasia and organ procurement procedure, and all procedures to be performed by senior staff members and nursing staff on a voluntary basis. The euthanasia procedure was performed by three independent physicians in the operating room. After clinical diagnosis of cardiac death, organ procurement was performed by femoral vessel cannulation or quick laparotomy. In 2 patients, the liver, both kidneys, and pancreatic islets (one case) were procured and transplanted; in the other 2 patients, there was additional lung procurement and transplantation. Transplant centers were informed of the nature of the case and the elements of organ procurement. There was primary function of all organs. The involved physicians and transplant teams had the well-discussed opinion that this strong request for organ donation after euthanasia could not be waived. A clear separation between the euthanasia request, the euthanasia procedure, and the organ procurement procedure is necessary. [less ▲]

Liver transplant donation after cardiac death : experience at the University of Liège

in Transplantation Proceedings (2009), 41(2), 582-4

Aim: Donation after cardiac death (DCD) has been proposed to partly overcome the organ donor shortage. In liver transplantation, the additional warm ischemia linked to DCD procurement may promote higher ... [more ▼]

Aim: Donation after cardiac death (DCD) has been proposed to partly overcome the organ donor shortage. In liver transplantation, the additional warm ischemia linked to DCD procurement may promote higher rate of primary non-function and ischemic type biliary lesions. In this study we reviewed the results of DCD liver transplantation at the University of Liège. Patients and Methods: From 2003 to 2007, 13 controlled DCD liver transplantations were consecutively performed. The records of all donors and recipients were retrospectively reviewed, particularly evaluating the outcome and the occurrence of biliary complications. Mean follow-up was 25 months. Results: Mean donor age was 51 years and their mean intensive care stay was 5.4 days. Mean time between ventilation arrest and cardiac arrest was 9.3 min. Mean time between cardiac arrest and arterial flush was 7.7 min. No touch period was 2 to 5 min. Mean graft cold ischemia was 295 min and mean suture warm ischemia was 38 min. Postoperatively there was no primary non-function. Mean peak transaminase was 2,546 UI/ml. Patient and graft survival was 100% at one year. Two patients (15%) developed graft main bile duct stenosis and underwent endoscopic management. No patient developed symptomatic intrahepatic bile duct strictures or needed retransplantation in the follow-up. Conclusions: The experience of the transplantation department of the University of Liege confirms that controlled DCD donors may be a valuable source of transplantable liver grafts, in case of short procurement warm ischemia and short transplant cold ischemia. [less ▲]

Results of liver transplantation from controlled donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors: a single center experience

in Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica (2009, January), 72(1), 25

Liver transplantation from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors: Belgian experience 2002-2007

in Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica (2009, January), 72(1), 21