Long-term ex situ normothermic perfusion of human split livers for more than 1 week.

Current machine perfusion technology permits livers to be preserved ex situ for short periods to assess viability prior to transplant. Long-term normothermic perfusion of livers is an emerging field with tremendous potential for the assessment, recovery, and modification of organs. In this study, we aimed to develop a long-term model of ex situ perfusion including a surgical split and simultaneous perfusion of both partial organs. Human livers declined for transplantation were perfused using a red blood cell-based perfusate under normothermic conditions (36 °C) and then split and simultaneously perfused on separate machines. Ten human livers were split, resulting in 20 partial livers. The median ex situ viability was 125 h, and the median ex situ survival was 165 h. Long-term survival was demonstrated by lactate clearance, bile production, Factor-V production, and storage of adenosine triphosphate. Here, we report the long-term ex situ perfusion of human livers and demonstrate the ability to split and perfuse these organs using a standardised protocol.

Factors associated with incomplete small bowel capsule endoscopy studies.

AIM: To identify patient risk factors associated with incomplete small bowel capsule endoscopy (CE) studies. METHODS: Data from all CE procedures performed at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, between December 2001 and June 2008 were collected and analyzed on a retrospective basis. Data collection for complete and incomplete CE study groups included patient demographics as well as a number of potential risk factors for incomplete CE including indication for the procedure, hospitalization, diabetes mellitus with or without end organ damage, limitations in mobility, renal insufficiency, past history of bowel obstruction, abdominal surgery, abdominal radiation therapy and opiate use. Risk factors were analyzed using a univariable and multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: From a total of 535 CE procedures performed, 158 were incomplete (29.5%). The univariable analysis showed that CE procedures performed for overt gastrointestinal bleeding (P = 0.002), and for patients with a prior history of abdominal surgery (P = 0.023) or bowel obstruction (P = 0.023) were significantly associated with incomplete CE studies. Patients on opiate medications (P = 0.094) as well as hospitalized patients (P = 0.054) were not statistically significant, but did show a trend towards incomplete CE. The multivariable analysis showed that independent risk factors for an incomplete CE procedure include prior history of bowel obstruction [odds ratios (OR) 2.77, P = 0.02, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.17-6.56] and procedures performed for gastrointestinal bleeding (Occult OR 2.04, P = 0.037, 95% CI: 1.04-4.02 and Overt OR 2.69, P = 0.002, 95% CI: 1.44-5.05). Patients with a prior history of abdominal surgery (OR 1.46, P = 0.068, 95% CI: 0.97-2.19), those taking opiate medications (OR 1.54, P = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.86-2.76) and hospitalized patients (OR 1.82, P = 0.124, 95% CI: 0.85-3.93) showed a trend towards statistical significance. CONCLUSION: We have identified a number of risk factors for incomplete CE procedures that can be used to risk-stratify patients and guide interventions to improve completion rates.