Transplant - May 2015 Archives

Human organ transplantation has come a long way since the first heart transplant in 1967. But despite advances, there are still more than 100,000 ...

Human organ transplantation has come a long way since the first heart transplant in 1967. But despite advances, there are still more than 100,000 people ...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Patients with liver cancer can be cured with a liver transplant. But because of the shortage of donated organs, these patients often die waiting for a liver. That’s because most transplant centers predominantly use livers from donors who die from brain death. But in the largest study of its kind, transplant physicians at Mayo Clinic in Florida have found that liver cancer patients have the same beneficial outcomes using organs donated by patients who died of cardiac death. The study was recently published online in the American Journal of Transplantation. MEDIA CONTACT: Paul Scotti, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-0199, scotti.paul@mayo.edu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkxVxcwk89g

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Obesity is a complicating factor for many surgical patients. In a recent study published in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Mayo Clinic researchers have shown that losing weight can have a positive impact on outcomes for lung transplant patients. In the manuscript, “Weight loss prior to lung transplantation is associated with improved survival,” Mayo Clinic researchers showed that a one unit reduction in body mass index in overweight and obese lung transplant recipients resulted in a reduced risk of death. The study also showed overweight and obese patients who lost weight spent less time on a mechanical ventilator after transplantation surgery. “We knew from past research that obesity complicates post-transplant outcomes and survival,” says Cassie Kennedy, M.D., Mayo Clinic pulmonologist and transplant researcher. “Many practices advocated delaying transplant listing for obese patients to allow for weight loss, but we didn’t know if losing weight prior to transplantation was realistic. Patients awaiting lung transplantation have functional limitations that might impede weight loss. We also did not know if weight loss before lung transplant could actually help transplant patients live longer and avoid complications. This study showed weight loss in overweight and obese patients was achievable, sustained six to 12 months post-surgery, and that these individuals had improved survival and fewer complications related to their transplant procedure.” MEDIA CONTACT: Ginger Plumbo, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

Medical innovation has helped a Chicago-area woman receive a lifesaving double organ transplant, even after she’d been told it wasn’t an option. Previous surgeries ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic transplant researchers will present findings from nearly 20 studies at the American Transplant Congress in Philadelphia, Penn., May 2-5. Mayo Clinic is nationally recognized for research and clinical success in transplantation, and performs over 1,000 solid organ transplants each year. Researchers will share findings from the following late-breaking studies at the American Transplant Congress: “Burden of Early Antibody-Mediated Rejection (AMR): Complications, Resource Utilization and Cost Differential in Treatment of AMR” This study examined the connection between early AMR (a situation following transplant surgery in which the body begins to reject the donor organ) and clinical complications, hospital resource utilization and related costs. An examination of 48 adult patients with AMR found those who were diagnosed with early AMR experienced higher rates of complications, almost double the number of hospital days and surgical procedures, and significantly higher post-transplant health care costs. Mayo Clinic researchers involved in this study include Ramandeep Banga, MBBS, Carrie Schinstock, M.D., Matthew Hathcock, Walter Kremers, Ph.D., and Mark Stegall, M.D. Presentation Date: May 2, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT MEDIA CONTACT: Ginger Plumbo, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu.