TransplantNow The Ultimate Guide to Clinical Transplant Research

Liver transplants rarely experience antibody-mediated rejection, and it has been suggested that a liver transplant can protect the kidney if a simultaneous transplant is performed. In this single-center study, patients who received a simultaneous liver-kidney transplant had a higher risk of acute rejection, but similar renal function and patient and graft survival, whether or not […]

The 30th adult heart transplant ISHLT report is based on data submitted on 110,486 heart transplants in recipients of all ages (including 99,008 adults) by 407 centers worldwide since 1982 through June 30, 2012, with follow-up until June 30, 2012.

Racial and ethnic differences in long-term survival after HT are well recognized. This US study demonstrated that after adjusting for BMI, blood type, sensitization, presence of VAD at transplant, and region, both Black and Hispanic race/ethnicity ( β=0.046, p

Preventing the development of anti-HLA antibodies is an important step in improving access to transplantation. In this non-randomized retrospective study, patients who received red blood cell transfusions from donors who were closely matched for class I antigens were less likely to develop anti-HLA antibodies than patients who received randomly selected donors. These findings are intriguing, […]

Preventing the development of anti-HLA antibodies is an important step in improving access to transplantation. In this non-randomized retrospective study, patients who received red blood cell transfusions from donors who were closely matched for class I antigens were less likely to develop anti-HLA antibodies than patients who received randomly selected donors. These findings are intriguing, […]

The highly sensitized patient remains a hot issue in the heart transplantation community. In this letter to the editor, our Canadian Cardiac Transplant Network (CCTN) colleagues share the initial Canadian experience in incorporating the Category 4 sensitized (4S) listing status. This preliminary review demonstrates the initial overall satisfactory short-term outcomes from the Canadian 4S-prioritized national […]

Although not studied in the pediatric population, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions may be beneficial in children awaiting transplantation. However, the use of RBC transfusions has been associated with increasing the risk of allosensitization. This retrospective, single center study examined the role of both RBC transfusions and erythropoietin in hospitalized children awaiting transplant who where […]

The concept of virtual crossmatching has been adopted by the cardiac transplant community and has expanded the donor pool by its feasibility.  In contrast, prospective cross matches which required donor cells and approximately 4 hours to perform limited the donor pool to regional centers where recipient blood could be sent.  Within Canada, the use of […]

The increased sensitivity of current HLA antibody testing methods, utilization of ventricular assist devices, and application of calculated panel-reactive antibody (cPRA) values has translated into a larger number of sensitized patients awaiting heart transplantation. The current review thoroughly outlines the changes in HLA antibody testing methods, application, and limitations. Important details relating to risk factors […]

Sensitization to mismatched HLA can result from transplantation, pregnancy, and blood transfusions. As the extent of sensitization of a transplant recipient increases, the likelihood of finding an acceptable donor expressing HLA to which they have not generated HLA antibodies to decreases. Although advances have been made in desensitization protocols, little attention has been paid to […]