Nursing role in the assessment and care of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome patients: a consensus paper by the "Gruppo Italiano Trapianto di Midollo Osseo".

PURPOSE: Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is one of the most serious complications post haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The diagnosis of SOS is clinical, but nurses should be involved in the pre-transplant risk assessment period and play a crucial role in the early detection of signs and symptoms during and after hospitalization. The aim of this work is to achieve a consensus on nurses' behaviour in caring for SOS. METHODS: On behalf of the Italian Group for Bone and Marrow Transplantation (GITMO), a promoter committee was established to put in place a consensus conference approach. A multidisciplinary group of GITMO together with four nurses, three haematology physicians and one patient representative acted as jury, who reviewed the reports and wrote recommendations and suggestions. Recommendations gaining 100% of consensus were considered 'Golden Points of Care'; if a consensus was achieved by ≥ 75% of the jury's members, those recommendations were defined as 'Good Practices'. RESULTS: Eighteen papers written by nurses as first authors have been identified. Golden Points of Care and Good Practices were worked out for the following topics: nurses' role in general, nurses' role in pre-transplant assessment, pre-transplant risk assessment and risk stratification, baseline monitoring, suspected mild or moderate SOS, suspected severe or very severe SOS and late-onset cases. CONCLUSION: SOS is relatively rare; therefore, a holistic approach to the patients' needs considering nursing role as essential may result in better care outcomes.

Identification and Management: Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome/Veno-Occlusive Disease Eelated to Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
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BACKGROUND: Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), also called hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), is a potentially life-threatening complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) that affects about 1 in 7 patients undergoing this procedure. SOS/VOD is caused by the conditioning regimens administered prior to HSCT; in some cases, SOS/VOD results from chemotherapy alone. SOS/VOD usually develops within three weeks following HSCT; however, it can have later onset. 
. OBJECTIVES: Clearly understanding how SOS/VOD develops may support prompt detection and treatment when the condition arises.
. METHODS: Research on identification and management of SOS/VOD is summarized, and data from clinical trials are reviewed.
. FINDINGS: This article describes the syndrome, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and appropriate supportive care and treatment. The authors also offer some practical tips for detecting SOS/VOD and providing patient care, as well as the latest information on treating and preventing this condition.

Veno-occlusive disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients.

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a potentially fatal complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation that affects the liver, as well as other organs. Although mild cases resolve on their own, severe cases of VOD carry a high mortality rate. The diagnosis usually is clinically based, with nonspecific signs such as weight gain, ascites, hepatomegaly, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, and elevated serum bilirubin. Although studies are ongoing, no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for VOD exist to date. Therefore, supportive care is a critical part of the treatment plan. Oncology nurses should be familiar with the risk factors and clinical signs of VOD so that patients can be monitored closely for its occurrence. Accurate and timely recognition of VOD is crucial for appropriate treatment.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease following bone marrow transplantation.

More than 2,000 bone marrow transplants (BMT) are performed in the United States each year. Hepatic veno-occlusive disease is a relatively frequent complication of BMT, occurring in up to 21% of patients treated with chemotherapy for malignant conditions. This potentially serious complication can have a major impact on the treatment and care of these patients. Knowledge of the pathophysiology, clinical features, and risk factors of this disease can assist nurses with early detection, management, support, and education for the patient and family.