Credenciamento de Transplantes: um guia sobre os aspectos éticos, técnicos e legais em Goiás / Transplant accreditation: a guide on ethical, technical and legal aspects in Goiás

Guia básico sobre o processo documental relacionado às autorizações dos médicos e estabelecimentos de saúde que realizam ou possuam interesses em transplantes no território goiano e aborda as atividades do setor de Credenciamento da Central Estadual de Transplantes de Goiás, com o propósito de orientar os estabelecimentos e equipes profissionais sobre suas permissões junto ao Ministério da Saúde, na realização de transplantes no Estado

Basic guide on the documental process related to the authorizations of physicians and health establishments that perform or have an interest in transplants in the territory of Goiás and addresses the activities of the Accreditation sector of the State Transplant Center of Goiás, with the purpose of guiding establishments and teams professionals about their permissions with the Ministry of Health, in the performance of transplants in the State

Tratado de regulação para avaliação especializada em transplante, via SUS, em Goiás / Regulatory treaty for specialized evaluation in transplantation, through SUS, in Goiás

Aborda sobre o atendimento por modalidade de transplantes via SUS, em Goiás. Apresenta as unidades de saúde e profissionais responsáveis. Discorre sobre o fluxo de regulação de transplantes no estado, o fluxo de exames para a inscrição, manutenção e acompanhamento do potencial receptor, os direito dos usuários dos serviços de transplantes e o tratamento fora do domicílio. Orienta sobre o Fluxo Geral de Regulação para Consulta de Avaliação em Transplantes

It addresses the care by type of transplant via SUS in the state of Goiás. It presents the health units and responsible professionals. It discusses the flow of regulation of transplants in the state, the flow of exams for the registration, maintenance and monitoring of the potential recipient, the rights of users of transplant services and treatment outside the home. Guidance on the General Regulation Flow for Evaluation Consultation in Transplants

Aborda la atención por tipo de trasplante vía SUS en el estado de Goiás. Presenta las unidades de salud y los profesionales responsables. Discute el flujo de regulación de trasplantes en el estado, el flujo de exámenes para el registro, mantenimiento y seguimiento del potencial receptor, los derechos de los usuarios de los servicios de trasplante y el tratamiento fuera del hogar. Guías sobre el Reglamento General de Flujo para la Consulta de Evaluación en Trasplantes

Nota Técnica N. 3/2021 - GERTRAN/CCM - 19813 - fluxo regulatório da Central Estadual de Transplantes de Goiás / Technical Note N. 3/2021 - GERTRAN/CCM - 19813 - regulatory flow of the Goiás State Transplant Center

Em Goiás, desde a publicação do Decreto N.º 4.930/98, que criou o Programa Goiás Transplantes, as ações relacionadas aos transplantes, tem evoluído constantemente, atingindo um maior número de doadores, os órgãos e tecidos captados são enviados para outras unidades federativas. Diante disso, todo esse processo complexo é monitorado pelo Sistema Nacional de Transplantes ­ SNT do Ministério da Saúde ­ MS e para padronizar e organizar essas atividades a Portaria MS/SAS N.º 2600/2009, determina que a coordenação, promoção, controle e fiscalização das ações relacionadas aos transplantes, são incumbências das Centrais Estaduais de Transplantes ­ CETs. Tendo em vista que no âmbito dos receptores, as ações iniciam-se com a inclusão em lista de espera para o transplante, desse modo, é intrínseco que entre as responsabilidades da CET/GO há o compromisso com as atividades de regulação do acesso, para este fim. De modo a atender a demanda existente em Goiás, a CET/GO apresenta o fluxo regulatório para as solicitações do agendamento de consultas destinadas à avaliação especializada em transplantes em todas as modalidades disponibilizadas, via SUS no Estado

In Goiás, since the publication of Decree N.º 4.930/98, which created the Goiás Transplants Program, actions related to transplants have constantly evolved, reaching a greater number of donors, the organs and tissues collected are sent to other federative units. . Therefore, this entire complex process is monitored by the National Transplant System - SNT of the Ministry of Health - MS and to standardize and organize these activities, Ordinance MS/SAS N.º 2600/2009 determines that the coordination, promotion, control and supervision of actions related to transplants, are the responsibility of the State Transplant Centers ­ CETs. Considering that, in the scope of the recipients, the actions begin with the inclusion in the waiting list for the transplant, in this way, it is intrinsic that among the responsibilities of the CET/GO there is the commitment to the activities of access regulation, to this end. In order to meet the existing demand in Goiás, CET/GO presents the regulatory flow for requests for scheduling appointments for specialized evaluation in transplants in all available modalities, via SUS in the State

[Clinical study on reconstruction of posterior cruciate ligament with platelet rich plasma combined with 3-strand peroneus longus tendons].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of the reconstruction of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) with platelet rich plasma (PRP) and 3-strand peroneal longus tendons under arthroscope. METHODS: Between June 2014 and December 2017, 58 patients with PCL rupture were randomly divided into two groups: the trial group (PRP assisted reconstruction of 3-strand peroneal longus tendons) and the control group (4-strand hamstring tendon reconstruction alone), 29 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury side, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, time from injury to operation, and preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score between the two groups ( P>0.05). Before operation, at 3 months and 12 months after operation, the IKDC score and Lysholm score of the two groups were recorded to evaluate the knee joint function, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was used to evaluate ankle function; KT-2000 examination (knee flexion of 90°, 30 lbs) was used to evaluate the difference of bilateral knee joint posterior relaxation at 12 months after operation, and MRI was used to evaluate ligament reconstruction; CT was used to evaluate the bone tunnel expansion of femur and tibia at 3 months and 12 months after operation. RESULTS: The operation was completed successfully in both groups, there was no complication in the donor tendon area. All the incisions healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up for more than 1 year. The follow-up time of the trial group was 13-17 months, with an average of 15.0 months; that of the control group was 15-20 months, with an average of 15.4 months. At 3 and 12 months after operation, there was no significant difference in AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score when compared with preoperative score and between the two groups ( P>0.05). At 3 and 12 months after operation, the IKDC score and Lysholm score of the two groups were significantly improved, and further improvement was found at 12 months when compared with at 3 months ( P<0.05); the scores in the trial group were significantly better than those of the control group ( P<0.05). At 12 months after operation, the difference of the posterior relaxation of the bilateral knees in the trial group was less than 5 mm in 27 cases, 6-10 mm in 2 cases; in the control group was less than 5 mm in 20 cases, 6-10 mm in 6 cases, and >10 mm in 3 cases; the difference between the two groups was not significant ( Z=0.606, P=0.544). At 12 months after operation, MRI of knee joint showed that all patients had good PCL graft. The MRI score of the trial group was better than that of the control group ( t=2.425, P=0.019). CT examination at 3 and 12 months after operation showed that the bone tunnel expansion of femur and tibia in the trial group were significantly better than those in the control group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PRP combined with 3-stand peroneal longus tendons can significantly improve the function and stability of knee joint, effectively promote graft remodeling, and promote tendon bone healing, reduce the expansion of bone tunnel. The effectiveness is satisfactory.

Hypothermic Machine Perfusion as an Alternative to Biopsy Assessment in Transplantation of Kidneys Donated After Cardiocirculatory Death: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation of kidneys from donation after cardiocirculatory death (DCD) donors is becoming an ever-increasing reality. So far, biopsy histologic assessment is the main parameter for evaluation of graft suitability, but it has several drawbacks and has poor reliability. The aim of this study is to verify if real-time renal resistance (RR) measurement during hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) can be used as a reliable parameter to evaluate the quality of grafts from DCD and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) donors. METHODS: From January 2015 to September 2018, HMP has been systematically applied to all organs from DCD and ECMO donors. All grafts underwent preimplantation biopsy histologic assessment with Karpinski's score. Single kidney transplants (SKTs) or double kidney transplants (DKTs) were performed according to biopsy score results. Kidneys were considered suitable for transplant if RR reached ≤ 1.0 within 3 hours of perfusion. RR trend and postoperative outcome were analyzed considering biopsy score and donor type. RESULTS: A total of 30 kidneys (15 from DCD and 15 from ECMO donors) were used to perform 26 transplants (22 SKTs and 4 DKTs). Considering RR trend, all grafts were considered suitable for transplant within 1 hour of perfusion. Biopsy confirmed this result in all cases, and median score was 3 (range, 0-7). SKT score kidneys had lower starting RR than DKT ones (1.88 vs 2.88; P = .04) but identical final RR (0.58 vs 0.57; P = .76). DKT recipients had faster postoperative creatinine reduction than SKT recipients but similar postoperative day 30 value (1.42 vs 1.15 mg/dL; P = .20). No differences were found between DCD and ECMO grafts in terms of RR trend and postoperative outcome. CONCLUSIONS: HMP can be an alternative to histologic biopsy assessment for evaluation of transplant suitability of DCD and ECMO kidneys. If acceptability threshold is reached, SKT can be performed in all cases. ECMO donors should be considered like DCD donors.

Modifying the Organ Matrix Pre-engraftment: A New Transplant Paradigm?

The availability of solid organs for transplantation remains low and there is a substantial need for methods to preserve the viability of grafted tissues. Suppression of solid-organ transplant rejection has traditionally focused on highly effective T cell inhibitors that block host immune lymphocyte responses. However, persistent and destructive innate and acquired immune reactions remain difficult to treat, causing late graft loss. Pretreatment of grafts to reduce organ rejection provides an alternate strategy. Approaches using antithrombotics, stem cells, genetic modifications, modulation of infrastructural components (connective tissue, CT; glycocalyx) of donor organs, and engineering of new organs are under investigation. We discuss here new approaches to modify transplanted organs prior to engraftment as a method to reduce rejection, focusing on the CT matrix.

Advances of radiation sterilisation in tissue banking.

Under the auspices of the IAEA tissue banking programme on "Radiation Sterilisation of Tissue Graft" conducted from 1985 to 2004, many scientists and surgeons were involved in various regional research and development (R&D) projects mainly in dealing with radiation dose selection, radiation effects on human tissues and quality system in radiation sterilisation. New findings on radiation effects, tissue processing and preservation were shared during the regional and interregional meetings and workshops. Many tissue banks started to use radiation (25 kGy) to sterilize tissue grafts for tissue safety and efficacy and still continue to use it. The IAEA Code of Practice for Radiation Sterilization of Tissues Allografts developed in 2007 offered simpler methods to conduct radiation dose setting and dose validation experiments for tissue grafts. Advances in dose selection and dose mapping are continued under the quality management system when banks need to be certified to continue their operation. The combination of good tissue processing and preservation as well as good radiation practice will ensure the tissue products are properly sterilised thus safe and of high quality. Experience in meeting challenges in using radiation sterilisation and achievements reported by the tissue bankers are shared here.

Manual de rotinas e procedimentos operacionais padronizados da equipe de captação de orgãos de Goiás / Manual of standardized operational routines and procedures for the organ harvesting team in Goiás

A Central de Transplantes (CET) é um orgão executivo, subordinado Secretaria de Estado da Saúde e tem como responsabilidade planejar, coordenar, acompanhar e controlar todas as atividades de transplantes, ao nível estadual, em observância à legislação vigente referente ao processo de doação, captação, distribuição e transplantes de orgãos e tecidos no Brasil. Afim de organizar as atividades da CET-GO, criou-se este manual de rotina e procedimentos operacionais da Central de Transplantes de forma a oferecer qualidade e segurança nas tarefas executadas e resultados esperados

The Transplant Center (CET) is an executive body, subordinated to the State Health Department and is responsible for planning, coordinating, monitoring and controlling all transplant activities at the state level, in compliance with current legislation regarding the donation process, capture, distribution and transplantation of organs and tissues in Brazil. In order to organize the activities of CET-GO, this manual of routine and operational procedures of the Transplant Center was created in order to offer quality and safety in the tasks performed and expected results

Graft quality verification in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: how, when and why?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation is one of the few remaining operations/interventions on diseased arteries that are not routinely verified during or immediately after the procedure. This review answers the 'how', 'when' and 'why' of intraoperative CABG assessment. RECENT FINDINGS: More recent than new literature on this topic, is the increased interest in quality assurance of CABG. This is most likely due to reports in the last 5 years suggesting CABG superiority to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for improved mid-term and long-term outcomes; for example, for patients with diabetes mellitus (Freedom Trial by Farkouh in 2012), and for patients with SYNTAX score ≥ 33 (SYNTAX Trial by Mohr in 2013). Possibly CABG is re-emerging from the era-of-better-and-better-stents and is now deemed worthy of improvement. SUMMARY: In order to fully compliment PCI, the operative major adverse cardiac event rate of CABG must rival that of PCI. In order to reduce technical errors, it is best practice to perform intra-operative assessment of bypasses, especially since we have the tools.

Validation of microbiological testing in cardiovascular tissue banks: results of a quality round trial.

OBJECTIVES: Surgeons needing human cardiovascular tissue for implantation in their patients are confronted with cardiovascular tissue banks that use different methods to identify and decontaminate micro-organisms. To elucidate these differences, we compared the quality of processing methods in 20 tissue banks and 1 reference laboratory. We did this to validate the results for accepting or rejecting tissue. We included the decontamination methods used and the influence of antibiotic cocktails and residues with results and controls. The minor details of the processes were not included. METHODS: To compare the outcomes of microbiological testing and decontamination methods of heart valve allografts in cardiovascular tissue banks, an international quality round was organized. Twenty cardiovascular tissue banks participated in this quality round. The quality round method was validated first and consisted of sending purposely contaminated human heart valve tissue samples with known micro-organisms to the participants. The participants identified the micro-organisms using their local decontamination methods. RESULTS: Seventeen of the 20 participants correctly identified the micro-organisms; if these samples were heart valves to be released for implantation, 3 of the 20 participants would have decided to accept their result for release. Decontamination was shown not to be effective in 13 tissue banks because of growth of the organisms after decontamination. Articles in the literature revealed that antibiotics are effective at 36°C and not, or less so, at 2-8°C. The decontamination procedure, if it is validated, will ensure that the tissue contains no known micro-organisms. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the quality round method of sending contaminated tissues and assessing the results of the microbiological cultures is an effective way of validating the processes of tissue banks. Only when harmonization, based on validated methods, has been achieved, will surgeons be able to fully rely on the methods used and have confidence in the consistent sterility of the tissue grafts. Tissue banks should validate their methods so that all stakeholders can trust the outcomes.

Histopathological evaluation of pretransplant donor biopsies in expanded criteria donors with high kidney donor profile index: a retrospective observational cohort study.

There is no consensus on the allocation of renal transplants from expanded criteria donors (ECD). The Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) is used without the need for pretransplant donor biopsies (PTDB). We explored whether PTDB based on Remuzzi Score (RS) allows identification of those marginal kidneys in the highest calculated KDPI risk group (>91%) that appropriate for single transplantation. A retrospective study was conducted of 485 consecutive kidneys procured from a single center and transplanted if the RS was ≤4. We compared 5-year kidney and patients survival between KDPI groups and between RS <4 or =4 in the highest KDPI group. The median KDPI (interquartile range) was 71 (66-76) for KDPI <80% (n = 77), 86 (81-90) for KDPI 81-90% (n = 82), and 97 (94-100) for KDPI >91% (n = 205). Patient survival at 5 years was 85.7%, 85.3%, and 76.09% (P = 0.058) and death-censored graft survival was 84.4%, 86.5%, 73.6% (P = 0.015), respectively for each KDPI group. In >91% calculated KDPI group, there were no differences in graft survival depending on the RS (<4 vs. =4) (P = 0.714). The implementation of PTDB based on RS used for allocation of organs with the highest KDPI range could support to the acceptance of suitable organs for single transplantation with good patient and graft survival rate.

Outcomes of Vascular Access Care and Surgery Managed by Interventional Nephrologists: A Twelve-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Optimizing vascular access outcomes is still a challenge, since 30-60% of arteriovenous fistulas fail or do not mature and catheters are widely used in contemporary patients. METHODS: This study reports on strategies and outcomes in a single center in which access planning, surgery and maintenance are managed by a team of nephrologists. We retrospectively analyzed 305 fistulas and 61 grafts created in 270 consecutive patients between 2002 and 2013. RESULTS: The percentage of patients receiving a fistula or graft who initiated hemodialysis with a mature access was 68.6%. Among prevalent patients, 71.7% used a fistula, 15.7% a graft and 12.6% a catheter. Rates of primary failure and revision before cannulation were 14.4 and 1.6% for fistulas vs. 4.9 and 3.3% for grafts. After maturation, complications (1.040 vs. 0.188 per patient-year (py)) and interventions (0.743 vs. 0.066 per py) were greater for grafts than for fistulas (p < 0.001). Secondary patency did not significantly differ between grafts and fistulas (median survival 34.8 vs. 57.3 months, p = 0.36), unless primary failures were excluded from Kaplan-Meier analysis (median survival 34.9 vs. 70.9 months, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: High fistula prevalence, low access-related morbidity and catheter dependence were achieved using individualized strategies, including mid-forearm or perforating vein fistula creation and selective graft placement in high risk patients. Direct involvement of nephrologists throughout all steps of access care can improve access outcomes, by promoting a patient-centered approach.

Outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is similar for patients with a partial in vitro T-cell-depleted graft compared with a non-T-cell-depleted graft when stratified by the refined disease risk index.

Comparisons of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) methods in retrospective studies are often hampered by the heterogeneity of comparison groups. The refined disease risk index (DRI) is a potentially interesting tool to compare HSCT protocols as it is based on the disease type and burden at transplant and stratifies patients into four prognostic groups for overall survival (OS). We included 265 patients with partial T-cell-depleted graft (TDEP) and 163 non-TDEP patients in a retrospective study and compared outcomes following stratification using the refined DRI. The 2-year OS rate for TDEP patients was 81.6, 60.9 and 43.3% for the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups, respectively (P<0.001). For non-TDEP patients, the 2-year OS rate was 62.9, 48.8, 44.2 and 7.6% for the low-, intermediate-, high- and very-high-risk groups, respectively (P<0.001). There was no significant difference when comparing OS between TDEP and non-TDEP for the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups, but TDEP patients had less acute GvHD grades II-IV. In conclusion, we confirm that the refined DRI is a valuable tool to compare the outcomes of different HSCT protocols. We demonstrate also that TDEP did not impact on the outcome of HSCT, but it did reduce the incidence of acute GvHD.

Early donor management increases the retrieval rate of hearts for transplantation in marginal donors.

OBJECTIVES: Organ donations continue to fall, failing to meet the clinical requirements for heart transplantation. Furthermore, the pathophysiology of brain stem death including hormonal and inflammatory changes may lead to significant donor heart injury. Early donor management may potentially alleviate these changes and therefore increase the number of available hearts for transplantation. We aimed to investigate whether early management of borderline donors can increase the heart retrieval rate. METHODS: Between September 2011 and February 2013, we performed early donor management of 26 potential heart donors in the intensive care units of the respective donor hospitals. At the time of referral donors were considered as borderline based on high-dose inotrope requirements, history of hypertension and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Our management protocol included insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter and performance of cardiac output studies, weaning noradrenaline and commencing arginine vasopressin, and administration of tri-iodothyronine, methylprednisolone and insulin. Our primary end-point was donor heart acceptance, depending collectively on the results of cardiac output studies, cardiac contractility and coronary artery patency at the time of retrieval operation. RESULTS: We retrieved 14 (56%) borderline hearts after donor management (Group A) with a 30-day survival rate of 86%. Twelve (44%) organs were declined due to poor heart function (n=8; 66.7%; P<0.001) and/or palpable coronary artery disease (n=4; 33.3%; P=0.018) (Group B). The mean age of Groups A and B was 42.77 and 47.78 years, respectively (P=0.19). Most of the female donors, i.e. 10 (83%), were declined, and only 4 (27%) were accepted (P=0.005). Majority of patients in both groups (Group A: 71.4%; n=10; and Group B: 66.7%; n=8) were on high-dose noradrenaline (>0.08 µg kg(-1) min(-2)) at the time of donor offer. Group A had a mean cardiac output of 6.29 and 3.09 l/min for Group B (P=0.01). A positive smoking history was present in 28.6% (n=4) and 33.5% (n=4) in Groups A and B, respectively (P=0.793). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on 3 (21.4%) patients in Group A and 2 (16.7%) in Group B (P=0.759). A history of hypertension was present in 7.1% (n=1) of the Group A and 33.3% (n=4) of the Group B donors. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we were able to retrieve more than half of the potential heart donors as a result of early active donor management without impacting on the post-transplant recipient outcome. Early active donor management may assist in increasing the number of heart transplantations, thus warranting further investigation.

Cardiac transplantation with hearts from donors after circulatory declaration of death: haemodynamic and biochemical parameters at procurement predict recovery following cardioplegic storage in a rat model.

OBJECTIVES: Donation after circulatory declaration of death (DCDD) could significantly improve the number of cardiac grafts for transplantation. Graft evaluation is particularly important in the setting of DCDD given that conditions of cardio-circulatory arrest and warm ischaemia differ, leading to variable tissue injury. The aim of this study was to identify, at the time of heart procurement, means to predict contractile recovery following cardioplegic storage and reperfusion using an isolated rat heart model. Identification of reliable approaches to evaluate cardiac grafts is key in the development of protocols for heart transplantation with DCDD. METHODS: Hearts isolated from anaesthetized male Wistar rats (n = 34) were exposed to various perfusion protocols. To simulate DCDD conditions, rats were exsanguinated and maintained at 37°C for 15-25 min (warm ischaemia). Isolated hearts were perfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer for 10 min (unloaded), arrested with cardioplegia, stored for 3 h at 4°C and then reperfused for 120 min (unloaded for 60 min, then loaded for 60 min). Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed using an intraventricular micro-tip pressure catheter. Statistical significance was determined using the non-parametric Spearman rho correlation analysis. RESULTS: After 120 min of reperfusion, recovery of LV work measured as developed pressure (DP)-heart rate (HR) product ranged from 0 to 15 ± 6.1 mmHg beats min(-1) 10(-3) following warm ischaemia of 15-25 min. Several haemodynamic parameters measured during early, unloaded perfusion at the time of heart procurement, including HR and the peak systolic pressure-HR product, correlated significantly with contractile recovery after cardioplegic storage and 120 min of reperfusion (P < 0.001). Coronary flow, oxygen consumption and lactate dehydrogenase release also correlated significantly with contractile recovery following cardioplegic storage and 120 min of reperfusion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Haemodynamic and biochemical parameters measured at the time of organ procurement could serve as predictive indicators of contractile recovery. We believe that evaluation of graft suitability is feasible prior to transplantation with DCDD, and may, consequently, increase donor heart availability.

Desigualdades por sexo e por raça e o direito aos transplantes de órgãos no Brasil / Inequalities by gender and race and the right to organ transplantantion in Brazil

O presente texto trata do perfil dos transplantados e do problema das desigualdades no acesso aos transplantes de órgãos no Sistema Nacional de Transplantes (SNT) do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). A equidade mos procedimentos relacionados com transplantes de órgãos no Brasil recebe garantias constitucionais. Um recorte por gênero indica que o Brasil tem população com maioria de mulheres. Sob o ponto de vista étnico, pretos e pardos são a maioria da população. As necessidades de transplantes não diferem muito entre esses diferentes grupos populacionais. A despeito disso, constata-se que a maioria dos transplantes de órgãos, no Brasil, são feitos em homens e em brancos. Existem inúmeras causas para essas desigualdades.

Propuesta de indicadores para la evaluación de la calidad del subprograma de donación de órganos para trasplante / Proposal of indicators for assessment of quality of a subprogram of organ donation for transplantation

Se realizó un estudio que se inscribe como una investigación de desarrollo con la finalidad de diseñar criterios, indicadores y estándares útiles para evaluar la calidad del subprograma de donación de órganos para trasplante, a nivel de las coordinaciones regionales en Cuba. Se utilizaron la revisión bibliográfica y consulta con expertos a través de una técnica grupal de consenso, el grupo Delphi. Se contó con la participación de 23 expertos nacionales seleccionados atendiendo a los criterios de ser profesionales del sector salud capacitados en donación y trasplante de órganos, tener experiencia de tres años o más de trabajo como coordinadores de trasplante a nivel del Centro Coordinador Nacional de Trasplante, las coordinaciones regionales o los servicios hospitalarios de coordinación de trasplantes en una unidad generadora de órganos. Se construyeron 34 criterios de estructura, proceso y resultados con sus correspondientes indicadores y estándares

Authors conducted a developmental study to design criteria, indicators and standards useful to assess the quality of a subprogram of organ donation for transplantation at level of regional coordinations in Cuba. A bibliographic review and consultation with experts through a consensus group technique: the Delphi group. There was the participation of twenty three national experts selected taking into account the criteria to be professionals of health sector trained in organs donation and transplantation at level of the National Coordinator Center of Transplantation, the regional coordinations or hospital services of transplantation coordination in an generator unit of organs. Thirty four structure criteria were constructed, process and results with its corresponding indicators and standards

The treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease: consensus recommendations of experts from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is the commonest complication of allogeneic bone marrow and blood stem-cell transplantation, occurring in 50% of all cases and causing late mortality in as many as 25%. There are now about 10 000 patients with cGVHD in Germany, and their number is growing by about 500 each year. cGVHD is a chronic multisystem disease due to impaired tolerance mechanisms. It affects many organs in variable ways, impairing organ function and lowering quality of life. METHODS: We present consensus recommendations on the treatment of cGVHD that were developed jointly by the German Working Group on Bone Marrow and Blood Stem-Cell Transplantation, the German and Austrian Societies of Hematology and Oncology, the Swiss Blood Stem-Cell Transplantation Group, and the German-Austrian Working Group on Pediatric Stem-Cell Transplantation. All of the recommendations are based on an evaluation of selected publications. RESULTS: Recommendations are given regarding the diagnostic evaluation of cGVHD, first-line treatment (which has a response rate of 30% to 50%), second-line treatment, and topical immunosuppression. Patients with cGVHD should also receive supportive care including anti-infective prophylaxis, vaccinations, hormone replacement, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and psychosocial assistance. CONCLUSION: Patients with cGVHD need multidisciplinary care under the guidance of the transplantation center. The aim of these recommendations is to standardize the treatment of cGVHD and thereby improve patient care.