BACKGROUND: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of percutaneous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with primary graft dysfunction after heart transplantation. METHODS: Of 65 patients (44 males and 21 females) who underwent heart transplantation from January 2006 to December 2012, 13 patients (group I) needed peripheral ECMO support due to difficulty in weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and 52 patients (group II) were weaned from CPB without mechanical support. The mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 54.4+/-13.6 years. There were no differences in the preoperative characteristics of the two groups. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for ECMO therapy. RESULTS: All group I patients were successfully weaned from ECMO after 53+/-9 hours of circulatory support. Early mortality occurred in four patients (1 [7.7%] in group I and 3 [5.8%] in group II, p>0.999). There were no differences in the postoperative complications between the two groups, with the exception of reoperation for bleeding. A greater number of group I patients underwent reoperation for bleeding (5 [38.5%] in group I vs. 6 [11.5%] in group II, p=0.035). In multivariable analysis, preoperative mechanical support (ECMO and intra-aortic balloon pump) and longer CPB time were the risk factors of ECMO therapy for graft dysfunction (odds ratio, 6.377; 95% confidence interval, 1.519 to 26.77; p=0.011 and odds ratio, 1.010; 95% confidence interval, 1.001 to 1.019; p=0.033). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous ECMO support could be a viable option for rescuing patients when graft dysfunction refractory to medical management develops after heart transplantation.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Extracorporeal Circulation ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Heart Transplantation* ; Heart* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Odds Ratio ; Postoperative Complications ; Primary Graft Dysfunction ; Reoperation ; Risk Factors ; Transplants* ; Weaning

Liver biopsies are used routinely in the assessment of graft dysfunction following liver transplantation and generally considered to be the most reliable method for the diagnosis of posttransplant complications with overlapping clinical and laboratory findings. To investigate posttransplant complications causing graft dysfunction and usefulness of liver biopsy, we analysed clinicopathologic features of 65 posttransplant liver biopsies, 2 autopsies and an explanted liver, taken from 20 patients. The frequencies of posttransplant complications were acute cellular rejection in 9 patients (45%), postoperative infection in 11 patients (55%), of which cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and systemic invasive aspergillosis with candidiasis occured in 10 patients (50%) and 1 patient (5%), respectively. Remainders were hepatic arterial thrombosis in two (10%), primary graft dysfunction due to fatty donor liver in one (5%), and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in two (10%). There were no chronic rejection or recurrent disease. Postoperative mortality was 25%. Histologic grade by Banff schema was well correlated with clinical parameters associated with unfavorable short term prognosis. CMV infection was associated with acute cellular rejection in 6 out of 10 patients (60%). Immunohistochemical staining for CMV was more sensitive method than CMV in situ hybridization or histologic detection of viral inclusion on tissue section. It was unique that one case of PTLD developed under the circumstances of the lowest dosage of immunosuppression and took grave outcome. Based on these results, we concluded that clinicopathologic correlation with integration of all the clinical and laboratory findings is necessary in the interpretation of accurate and early diagnosis of posttransplant liver biopsies. The interrelationship between chronic rejection and CMV infection as well as pathogenetic factors of PTLD remains to be clarified through further ongoing observation.
Aspergillosis ; Autopsy ; Biopsy* ; Candidiasis ; Cytomegalovirus ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; In Situ Hybridization ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Mortality ; Primary Graft Dysfunction ; Prognosis ; Thrombosis ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

Multivisceral organ transplantation involves the transplantation of three or more abdominal organs, including small bowel, duodenum, stomach, liver, pancreas, colon, and so on. The large amounts of cold and acidic loading into systemic circulation from the graft during multivisceral organ transplantation may result in severe post-reperfusion syndrome (PRS). We describe here a 6-year-old pediatric patient with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction who experienced prolonged PRS and severe metabolic acidosis during seven abdominal organ transplantation including the liver, spleen, stomach, duodenum, small bowel, colon and pancreas. The hypotensive period lasted approximately 10 minutes after graft reperfusion and was accompanied by severe metabolic acidosis and hypothermia. Since PRS can be easily associated with adverse outcomes, such as poor early graft function and primary non-function, not only meticulous surveillance for aggravating factors for PRS but also their immediate correction were necessary in managing a pediatric patient undergoing multivisceral organ transplantation.
Acidosis ; Child ; Colon ; Duodenum ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction ; Intestines ; Liver ; Organ Transplantation* ; Pancreas ; Primary Graft Dysfunction ; Reperfusion ; Spleen ; Stomach ; Transplantation ; Transplants*

PURPOSE: Post-operative pulmonary function is an important prognostic factor for lung transplantation. The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting recovery of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at the first year after lung transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of lung transplantation patients between October 2012 and June 2016. Patients who survived for longer than one year and who underwent pulmonary function test at the first year of lung transplantation were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they recovered to a normal range of FEV1 (FEV1 ≥80% of predicted value vs. < 80%). We compared the two groups and analyzed factors associated with lung function recovery. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled in this study: 28 patients (48%) recovered to a FEV1 ≥80% of the predicted value, whereas 30 patients (52%) did not. Younger recipients [odds ratio (OR), 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87–0.98; p=0.010], longer duration of mechanical ventilator use after surgery (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.03–1.26; p=0.015), and high-grade primary graft dysfunction (OR, 8.08; 95% CI, 1.67–39.18; p=0.009) were identified as independent risk factors associated with a lack of full recovery of lung function at 1 year after lung transplantation. CONCLUSION: Immediate postoperative status may be associated with recovery of lung function after lung transplantation.
Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung Transplantation* ; Lung* ; Medical Records ; Primary Graft Dysfunction ; Recovery of Function* ; Reference Values ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Ventilators, Mechanical