Transplantation
Article Abstract:
Methods to reduce the waiting time for an organ transplant include transplanting only part of an organ, using an organ from an unrelated donor, transplanting a single lung rather than both lungs, and using animal organs for transplants. Reduced size, segmental and split liver techniques have all been used to increase the number of liver transplants. The living, related donor segmental liver technique is the most promising of the three. Living, unrelated donors have played a large part in reducing the waiting time for kidney transplants. The survival rate after one year for this type of transplant can be as high as 93%. Single lung transplantation surgery has a lower complication rate than double lung transplantation. Patient survival one-year after surgery was higher for those who received a single-lung transplant. Though animal organs could ultimately be the solution that reduces the waiting time for some transplants, issues of intra-species transplant rejection and decisions about which animals offer the most promise still require further research.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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Transplantation
Article Abstract:
A shortage of donor organs is restricting progress in transplantation; however, efforts are being made to improve immunosuppressive therapy. Cyclosporine is promoting graft survival and is less toxic than tacrolimus, but rejection occurred less often with tacrolimus. Mycophenolate mofetil has been useful as a preventive and rescue therapy in kidney allograft rejection. The United Network for Organ Sharing scoring system for kidneys needs improvement to allow for quick use of donated organs, which improves graft survival. A fair distribution of organs would depend on compatibility, waiting time within the pool, and preservation and travel distance between donor and recipient.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Transplantation
Article Abstract:
The U.S. needs a national policy to increase the number of organ donations. One technique to increase the number of organs available is to split the organ, allowing it to be used in more than one recipient. This has been done successfully with liver transplants. Another technique is to use organs from animals, which are called xenografts. The pig appears to be the most suitable animal but there are still concerns about the transmission of infectious organisms between species. Several immunosuppressive drugs have contributed to the success of organ transplantation.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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