Adult Liver Transplant Candidate Attitudes Toward Graft Sharing Are Not Obstacles to Split Liver Transplantation

Split liver transplantation (SLT) benefits society by increasing the total number of transplants that can be performed, but it is yet unknown if a decreased post-transplant survival (in comparison to whole liver transplantation) would make participation in SLT less appealing to adult liver transplant candidates. A 20-item questionnaire was administered to 50 adult candidates to assess attitudes toward SLT and organ sharing. The overall attitudes of 60% of participants were classified as utilitarian (maximizing benefit to greatest number of candidates), while 26% were classified as self-preserving (maximizing individual benefit) and 14% were undecided. Ninety percent of participants would be willing to share even if expected survival was less than that of whole liver transplantation, and 69% felt that pediatric candidates should have priority over adult candidates. In conclusion, attitudes toward graft sharing and the possibility of compromised survival benefit are not barriers to SLT for most adult liver transplant candidates.     

Randomized Trial of Basiliximab Induction versus Steroid Therapy in Pediatric Liver Allograft Recipients Under Tacrolimus Immunosuppression

Avoidance of corticosteroids could be beneficial after pediatric liver transplantation (LTx). To test this hypothesis, we performed a randomized prospective study to compare immunosuppression with tacrolimus (TAC) and steroids versus TAC and basiliximab (BAS) after pediatric LTx. Seventy-two patients were recruited, 36 receiving TAC and steroids and 36 TAC and BAS. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of the first rejection episode. Secondary endpoints were the cumulative incidence and severity of rejection, patient and graft survival, and incidence of adverse events. Overall 1-year patient and graft survival rates were 91.4% and 85.5% in the steroid group, and 88.6% and 80% in the BAS group (p = NS). Patients free from rejection were 87.7% in the BAS group and 67.7% in the steroid group (p = 0.036). The use of BAS was associated with a 63.6% reduction in incidence of acute rejection episodes. Overall incidence of infection was 72.3% in the steroid group and 50% in the BAS group (p = 0.035). We conclude that the combination of TAC with BAS is an alternative to TAC and steroid immunosuppression in pediatric LTx, which allows for a significant reduction in the incidence of acute rejection and infectious complications.     

Segmental Liver Transplantation from Non-Heart Beating Donors—An Early Experience with Implications for the Future

We report our experience of pediatric liver transplantation with partial grafts from non-heart beating donors (NHBD). Controlled donors less than 40 years of age with a warm ischemia time (WI) of less than 30 min were considered for pediatric recipients. Death was declared 5 min after asystole. A super-rapid recovery technique with aortic and portal perfusion was utilized. Mean donor age was 29 years and WI 14.6 min (range 11–18). Seven children, mean age 4.9 years (0.7–11), median weight 20 kg (8.4–53) received NHBD segmental liver grafts. Diagnoses included seronegative hepatitis, neonatal sclerosing cholangitis, familial intrahepatic cholestasis, hepatoblastoma, primary hyperoxaluria and factor VII deficiency (n = 2).The grafts included four reduced and one split left lateral segments, one left lobe and one right auxiliary graft. Mean cold ischemia was 7.3 h (6.2–8.8). Complications included one pleural effusion and one biliary collection drained percutaneously. At 20 months (10–36) follow-up all children are alive and well with functioning grafts.
Donation after cardiac death is a significant source of liver grafts for adults and children with careful donor selection and short cold ischemic times.     

Decreased Risk of Renal Allograft Thrombosis Associated With Interleukin-2 Receptor Antagonists: A Report of the NAPRTCS

Graft thrombosis is the most common cause of first year graft failure in pediatric renal transplantation. The North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study (NAPRTCS) database was analyzed for cases of graft failure due to thrombosis among patients transplanted from 1998 to 2004. The impact of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor antagonists as induction therapy was determined. There were a total of 51 graft failures due to thrombosis among the 2750 reported renal transplants (1.85%) (95% CI (1.39%, 2.41%)). This represents the most common cause of graft loss during the first year post-transplant accounting for 35% of first year losses and 18% of all graft losses. The incidence of thrombosis among patients who received IL-2 receptor antibodies was 1.07% (12/1126) compared to 2.40% (39/1624) among patients who did not (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.23, 0.84, p = 0.014). Use of IL-2 receptor blockade was the only significant prognostic factor in a multivariate model with previously identified risk factors. Analysis of NAPRTCS data found that the use of IL-2 receptor antibodies as induction therapy is associated with a significantly decreased risk of graft failure due to thrombosis. This provocative finding requires further investigation to determine whether thrombotic failure can be decreased by this therapeutic strategy.     

The current role of preoperative and intraoperative autologous blood donation in pediatric open-heart surgery

Objective: We assessed the current role of preoperative and intraoperative autologous blood donation in pediatric open-heart surgery. Methods: Group 1 consisted of 51 patients between 5 and 10 years old who underwent preoperative autologous blood donation. Group 2 consisted of 50 age-matched patients without preoperative donation as controls. Intraoperative donation was conducted in both groups prior to cardiopulmonary bypass. We evaluated perioperative blood cell count, blood loss, and the need for homologous blood products. Results: No serious complications occurred in preoperative or intraoperative donation. Total preoperative donation storage was 17.5±3.4 mL/kg. Intraoperative donation was 21.7 ±6.1 mL/kg in Group 1 and 12.8±4.0 mL/kg in Group 2 (p<0.001). On admission, serum hemoglobin was lower in Group 1 (12.2±1.0 g/dL versus 13.6±1.6 g/dL, p<0.001) but returned postoperatively to the preoperative value. It hovered at a depressed level in Group 2 (12.2±1.4 versus 10.2±1.1 g/dL, p<0.001). The homologous blood requirement was significantly less in Group 1 than in Group 2 (0% versus 10%, p<0.05). Postoperative platelet counts showed similar curves, and blood loss was not statistically significantly different between groups. Conclusion: Preoperative and intraoperative donations are safe and continue to contribute uniquely to blood conservation, providing important options in comprehensive blood conservation programs in current pediatric open-heart surgery.     

Intraoperative radiotherapy in the multidisciplinary treatment of bone sarcomas in children and adolescents

From September 1984 to December 1989, 38 patients of pediatric age with localized bone sarcomas received intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) as part of a multidisci plinary treatment program. The age ranged from 6 to 21 years. The tumor histologies were 22 osteosarcomas and 16 Ewing's sarcomas. Thirty-four had initial primary disease (90%) and 4 were treated for local recurrence (10%). IORT was used on 32 untreated patients and in 6 previously treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBR). The IORT field included the surgically exposed tumor bed area. Single radiation doses ranging from 10 to 20 Gy were delivered, using 6–20 MeV electron beams. The median follow-up time for the entire group is 25 months (2–65+ months). The projected 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates are 65% and 69%, respectively. One patient developed a local recurrence in each histological group: one chondroblastic osteosarcoma and one cervical Ewing's sarcoma. Six patients died from metastatic progression: 3 initially recurrent tumors and three primary disease cases. Severe neuropathy and soft tissue necrosis were seen in some patients as IORT related complications. IORT is a feasible technique to be integrated in multidisciplinary programs that may promote local control in pediatric and adolescent patients with bone sarcomas. Peripheral nerves are dose-limiting tissue structures for IORT.     

Effects of chlorpromazine as a systemic vasodilator during cardiopulmonary bypass in neonates

OBJECTIVES: Vasodilator use during cardiopulmonary bypass is important in pediatric cardiac surgery, but the full range of their effects on hemodynamics remains to be clarified. We studied the effects of chlorpromazine, a potent alpha-blocking agent, in neonates. METHODS: Subjects were 60 neonates undergoing arterial switch operations for complete transposition of the great arteries with an intact ventricular septum. Of these, 37 received 2.1 to 6.5 mg/kg of chlorpromazine during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPZ group) and 23 received no vasodilator (control group). We then compared hemodynamic parameters between groups during and early after surgery. RESULTS: The systemic vascular resistance index and mean arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass were significantly lower in the CPZ group (p < 0.05), but systolic pressure 15 minutes after cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass did not differ between groups. The rise in peripheral temperature during rewarming after hypothermia was significantly higher and the acid-base status 40 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass less acidotic in the CPZ group. Urine output during cardiopulmonary bypass was higher in the CPZ group. CONCLUSIONS: Chlorpromazine effectively counteracts systemic vasoconstriction induced by cardiopulmonary bypass without serious side effects in neonatal cardiac surgery.     

Cosmetic benefits of lower midline skin incision for pediatric open heart operation

OBJECTIVE: Since we developed the procedure in 1996, we have now performed 100 pediatric open heart operations using a lower midline skin incision and a minimal sternotomy approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: To elucidate the benefits of this approach, we analyzed these 100 cases retrospectively. There was no death, and no major complication, caused by this approach, and the resulting scarring in each patient is difficult to be seen under a common undershirt. CONCLUSION: This review shows that the technique of a lower midline skin incision and minimal sternotomy approach is a safe reliable and cosmetically advantageous method for a pediatric cardiac operation.     

Modified Ultrafiltration Attenuates Dilutional Coagulopathy in Pediatric Open Heart Operations

Background. Extreme hemodilution caused by relatively large prime volumes required for cardiopulmonary bypass in infants causes a dilutional coagulopathy, characterized by low concentrations of fibrinogen and other circulating coagulation factors. Modified ultrafiltration results in hemoconcentration and is associated with decreases in postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements in children. This study was undertaken to quantify the effect of modified ultrafiltration on concentrations of fibrinogen, plasma proteins, and platelets in infants and small children.

Methods. Twenty patients less than 15 kg were studied. Cardiopulmonary bypass circuits were primed with crystalloid solutions. Red blood cells were added during cardiopulmonary bypass for hematocrits less than 15%. Colloid solutions were not administered. Concentrations of fibrinogen, plasma proteins, and platelets, and hematocrit were measured before cardiopulmonary bypass, before modified ultrafiltration, and after modified ultrafiltration.

Results. Modified ultrafiltration was associated with significant (p < 0.001) increases in hematocrit (19% ± 6% to 31% ± 9%), fibrinogen (65 ± 29 to 101 ± 45 mg/dL), and total plasma proteins (2.7 ± 0.3 to 4.9 ± 0.7 g/dL), but no change (p = 0.129) in platelet count.

Conclusions. We conclude that modified ultrafiltration significantly attenuates the dilutional coagulopathy associated with cardiopulmonary bypass in infants.     

Paediatric cardiac arrest and resuscitation provided by physician-staffed emergency care units

Background: Most paediatric cardiac arrest studies have been conducted in the USA, where paramedics provide prehospital emergency care. We wanted to study the outcome of paediatric cardiac arrest patients in an emergency medical system which is based on physician staffed emergency care units.
Methods: We analysed retrospectively the files of 100 prehospital cardiac arrest patients from Southern Finland during a 10-year study period. The patients were less than 16 years of age.
Results: Fifty patients were declared dead on the scene (DOS) without attempted resuscitation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated in 50 patients. The sudden infant death syndrome was the most common cause of arrest in the DOS patients (68%) as well as in those receiving CPR (36%). Asystole was the initial cardiac rhythm in 70% of the patients in whom CPR was attempted. Resuscitation was successful in 13 patients, 8 of whom were ultimately discharged. Six of the patients survived with mild or no disability and 4 of them had near-drowning aetiology. In multivariate analysis, the short duration of CPR (≤15 min) was the only factor significantly associated with better survival.
Conclusions: Although prehospital care was provided by physicians, the overall rate of survival was found to be equally poor as reported from systems with paramedics. The only major difference between physician- and paramedic-staffed emergency care units is the ability of physicians to refrain from resuscitation already on the scene when prognosis is poor.