Banff 2022 pancreas transplantation multidisciplinary report: Refinement of guidelines for T cell-mediated rejection, antibody-mediated rejection and islet pathology. Assessment of duodenal cuff biopsies and noninvasive diagnostic methods.

The Banff pancreas working schema for diagnosis and grading of rejection is widely used for treatment guidance and risk stratification in centers that perform pancreas allograft biopsies. Since the last update, various studies have provided additional insight regarding the application of the schema and enhanced our understanding of additional clinicopathologic entities. This update aims to clarify terminology and lesion description for T cell-mediated and antibody-mediated allograft rejections, in both active and chronic forms. In addition, morphologic and immunohistochemical tools are described to help distinguish rejection from nonrejection pathologies. For the first time, a clinicopathologic approach to islet pathology in the early and late posttransplant periods is discussed. This update also includes a discussion and recommendations on the utilization of endoscopic duodenal donor cuff biopsies as surrogates for pancreas biopsies in various clinical settings. Finally, an analysis and recommendations on the use of donor-derived cell-free DNA for monitoring pancreas graft recipients are provided. This multidisciplinary effort assesses the current role of pancreas allograft biopsies and offers practical guidelines that can be helpful to pancreas transplant practitioners as well as experienced pathologists and pathologists in training.

Single-center retrospective assessment of robotic-assisted simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants: Exploring clinical utility.

The diabetic population is witnessing a rise in obesity rates, creating specific hurdles for individuals seeking pancreas transplantation because they are frequently disqualified due to their elevated body weight. Introducing a robotic-assisted approach to transplantation has been proven to yield improved outcomes, particularly in patients with obesity. A retrospective analysis was conducted between January 2015 and September 2023. The study included a total of 140 patients, with 16 receiving robotic-assisted simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (RSPK) and 124 undergoing open approach simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (OSPK) during the study period. The median age was 45 (36.8-52.7) and 44.5 years (36.8-51.8) (RSPK vs OSPK, P = .487). There were no significant differences in demographics except body mass index (RSPK vs OSPK, 34.9 vs 28.1, P < .001) and a higher percentage of patients with high cardiac risk in the RSPK group. The robotic approach has a lengthier overall operative time and warm ischemia time. Surgical and nonsurgical complications at 30-days and 1-year grafts and patient survival (93.8% vs 96.8%, RSPK vs OSPK, P = .521) were similar. Our findings suggest that employing robotic assistance in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation is safe. Wider adoption and utilization of this technique could potentially improve transplant accessibility for individuals with obesity and diabetes.

Pancreas Transplantation in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Patients-Single Centre Experience in the UK.

Ethnic disparities in the outcomes after simultaneous pancreas kidney (SPK) transplantation still exist. The influence of ethnicity on the outcomes of pancreas transplantation in the UK has not been reported and hence we aimed to investigate our cohort. A retrospective analysis of all pancreas transplant recipients (n = 171; Caucasians = 118/Black Asian Ethnic Minorities, BAME = 53) from 2006 to 2020 was done. The median follow-up was 80 months. Patient & pancreas graft survival, rejection rate, steroid free maintenance rate, HbA1c, weight gain, and the incidence of secondary diabetic complications post-transplant were compared between the groups. p < 0.003 was considered significant (corrected for multiple hypothesis testing). Immunosuppression consisted of alemtuzumab induction and steroid free maintenance with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Pancreas graft & patient survival were equivalent in both the groups. BAME recipients had a higher prevalence of type-2 diabetes mellitus pre-transplant (BAME = 30.19% vs. Caucasians = 0.85%, p < 0.0001), and waited for a similar time to transplantation once waitlisted, although pre-emptive SPK transplantation rate was higher for Caucasian recipients (Caucasians = 78.5% vs. BAME = 0.85%, p < 0.0001). Despite equivalent rejections & steroid usage, BAME recipients gained more weight (BAME = 7.7% vs. Caucasians = 1.8%, p = 0.001), but had similar HbA1c (functioning grafts) at 3-,12-, 36-, and 60-months post-transplant.

Comparing Outcomes and Cost Between Pancreas Transplant and Standard of Care in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Pancreas transplant is the only treatment that establishes normal glucose levels for patients diagnosed with diabetes. We analyzed the outcome of pancreas transplant alone (PTA) versus standard of care in the United States from 2008 to 2018. We also developed an economic model to analyze the cost-effectiveness of pancreas transplant versus continuing standard of care. METHODS: We used the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database and analyzed PTA recipient survival. Using those results, we developed a Markov model that followed a cohort of 40-year-old patients with type 1 diabetes over a 10-year time horizon. The primary outcomes were (i) the survival benefit of a pancreas transplant, (ii) quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and (iii) total costs. RESULTS: We found no difference in survival advantage of PTA compared with standard of care (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-2.14). However, pancreas transplant ($172,823, 6.87 QALY) was cost-saving compared with standard of care ($232,897, 6.04 QALY) for type 1 diabetes. Pancreas transplantation was cost-effective in 95% of 10,000 simulations in probabilistic sensitivity analysis, using a $100,000/QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is no difference in survival for PTA compared with standard of care, PTA is a cost-saving therapy for type 1 diabetes.

The impact of race on metabolic, graft, and patient outcomes after pancreas transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Racial disparities following pancreas transplantation (PTX) are poorly defined. METHODS: This was a large-scale, single-center, longitudinal cohort study including adult PTX recipients. Patients were grouped by race to allow for comparisons. RESULTS: 287 PTX recipients were included; 125 (43.5%) were African American (AA). At baseline, AAs had a significantly higher proportion of T2DM (19.4% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.001), were younger, and more likely to be female. AAs experienced significantly higher rates of pancreatic leaks and post-operative bleeding. PTX rejection was comparable, however, kidney rejection tended to be higher among AA SPKs. Long-term mean HgbA1C levels were significantly higher among AAs (6.9% vs. 6.3%, p = 0.039). Patient and graft survival was comparable between groups, but early patient survival tended to be lower in AAs. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated significant perioperative health disparities among AA PTX recipients, including poorer glycemic control and more early deaths, despite similar long-term patient and graft survival.

[Pancreas transplantation-clinic, technique, and histological assessment]. / Pankreastransplantation ­ Klinik, Technik und histologische Beurteilung.

BACKGROUND: In Germany pancreas transplants are performed in only a few selected and specialized centres, usually combined with a kidney transplant. Knowlegde of the indications for and techniques of transplantation as well as of the histopathological assessment for rejection in pancreas and duodenal biopsies is not very widespread. AIM: To give an overview of the development and status quo in pancreas-kidney-transplantation in Germany summarizing the experience of the largest German pancreas transplant centre and to give a résumé of the results of histological diagnoses of biopsy specimens submitted between 06/2017 and 12/2020. Moreover, a detailed description and illustration of histological findings is included. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A thorough literature search for aspects of the history, technique and indication for pancreas transplantation was performed and discussed in the context of the local experience and technical particularities specific for the transplant centre in Bochum. The occurrence of complications was compared with international reports. Results of pancreas and duodenal biopsies submitted to Erlangen between 06/2017 and 12/2020 for histological evaluation, which were evaluated according to the Banff classification, were summarized. For a better understanding key histological findings of pancreas rejection and differential diagnoses were illustrated and discussed. RESULTS: A total of 93 pancreas transplant specimens and 3 duodenal biopsies were included. 34.4% of pancreas specimens did not contain representative material for a diagnosis. In the remaining 61 biopsies 24.6% showed no rejection, 62.3% were diagnosed with acute T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) and 8.2% with signs suspicious of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). Acute acinary epithelial injury was seen in 59%, pancreatitis in 8.2% and allograft fibrosis was reported in as many as 54.1%. Calcineurin-inhibitor toxicity was discussed in only 4.9%. CONCLUSION: Pancreas-kidney-transplantation and standardized histological assessment of the transplanted pancreas or rarely duodenum with reporting according to the updated Banff classification of pancreas transplants or previous reports of duodenal rejection are important mainstays in the management of patients with diabetes.

Ischemia-Reperfusion Injuries Assessment during Pancreas Preservation.

Maintaining organ viability between donation and transplantation is of critical importance for optimal graft function and survival. To date in pancreas transplantation, static cold storage (SCS) is the most widely practiced method of organ preservation. The first experiments in ex vivo perfusion of the pancreas were performed at the beginning of the 20th century. These perfusions led to organ oedema, hemorrhage, and venous congestion after revascularization. Despite these early hurdles, a number of factors now favor the use of perfusion during preservation: the encouraging results of HMP in kidney transplantation, the development of new perfusion solutions, and the development of organ perfusion machines for the lung, heart, kidneys and liver. This has led to a resurgence of research in machine perfusion for whole organ pancreas preservation. This review highlights the ischemia-reperfusion injuries assessment during ex vivo pancreas perfusion, both for assessment in pre-clinical experimental models as well for future use in the clinic. We evaluated perfusion dynamics, oedema assessment, especially by impedance analysis and MRI, whole organ oxygen consumption, tissue oxygen tension, metabolite concentrations in tissue and perfusate, mitochondrial respiration, cell death, especially by histology, total cell free DNA, caspase activation, and exocrine and endocrine assessment.

Pre-operative ankle-brachial index for cardiovascular risk assessment in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients: a simple and elegant strategy!

BACKGROUND: Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus type 1 (IDDM1) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation (SPKT) are a population with diffuse atherosclerosis and elevated risk of cardio- and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of preoperative screening for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), specifically ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing, to predict peri- and postoperative outcomes in SPKT recipients. METHODS: Medical data (2000-2016) from all patients with IDDM and ESKD undergoing SPKT at our transplant center were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between PAD (defined by an abnormal ABI before SPKT and graft failure and mortality rates as primary end points, and the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular complications as secondary end points were investigated after adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Among 101 SPKT recipients in our transplant population who underwent structured physiological arterial studies, 17 patients (17%) were diagnosed with PAD before transplantation. PAD, as defined by a low ABI index, was an independent and significant predictor of death (HR, 2.99 (95% CI 1.00-8.87), p = 0.049) and pancreas graft failure (HR, 4.3 (95% CI 1.24-14.91), p = 0.022). No significant differences were observed for kidney graft failure (HR 1.85 (95% CI 0.76-4.50), p = 0.178). In terms of the secondary outcomes, patients with PAD were more likely to have myocardial infarction, stroke, limb ischemia, gangrene or amputation (HR, 2.90 (95% CI 1.19-7.04), p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-transplant screening for PAD and cardiovascular risk factors with non-invasive ABI testing may help to reduce perioperative complications in high-risk patients. Future research on long-term outcomes might provide more in depth insights in optimal treatment strategies for PAD among SPKT recipients.

Using Geographic Catchment Areas to Measure Population-based Access to Kidney Transplant in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring efforts to improve access to transplantation requires a definition of the population attributable to a transplant center. Previously, assessment of variation in transplant care has focused on differences between administrative units-such as states-rather than units derived from observed care patterns. We defined catchment areas (transplant referral regions [TRRs]) from transplant center care patterns for population-based assessment of transplant access. METHODS: We used US adult transplant listings (2006-2016) and Dartmouth Atlas catchment areas to assess the optimal method of defining TRRs. We used US Renal Data System and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient data to compare waitlist- and population-based kidney transplant rates. RESULTS: We identified 110 kidney, 67 liver, 85 pancreas, 68 heart, and 43 lung TRRs. Most patients were listed in their assigned TRR (kidney: 76%; liver: 75%; pancreas: 75%; heart: 74%; lung: 72%), although the proportion varied by organ (interquartile range for kidney, 65.7%-82.5%; liver, 58.2%-78.8%; pancreas, 58.4%-81.1%; heart, 63.1%-80.9%; lung, 61.6%-76.3%). Patterns of population- and waitlist-based kidney transplant rates differed, most notably in the Northeast and Midwest. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of TRR-based kidney transplant rates differ from waitlist-based rates, indicating that current metrics may not reflect transplant access in the broader population. TRRs define populations served by transplant centers and could enable future studies of how transplant centers can improve access for patients in their communities.

Geographic Disparities in Access to Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplant in the Pre- and Post-Pancreas Allocation System Eras.

BACKGROUND: The 2014 pancreas allocation system (PAS) intended to decrease geographic variability in listing practices for simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant and define eligibility criteria for those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our primary aims were to evaluate geographic disparities in access to SPK and assess T2DM SPK listings in the pre- and post-PAS eras. METHODS: Adult listings for SPK and kidney transplant (pre-PAS, January 2010 to October 29, 2014; post-PAS, October 30, 2014, to June 2, 2017) were identified in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Multivariable logistic regression models tested associations of geography and/or diabetes mellitus type on the likelihood of SPK versus kidney transplant listing pre- and post-PAS. Competing risk models tested the likelihood of SPK transplantation within 2 years of listing for SPK. RESULTS: Among 41 205 listings (27 393 pre-PAS; 24 439 T2DM), univariate analysis showed reduced percentages for SPK post-PAS (22.1%-20.8%; P = 0.003). After adjusting for patient and center characteristics, geographic disparities declined slightly but persisted post-PAS (era by region interaction P < 0.001). The era by type of diabetes mellitus interaction effect was statistically significant (P = 0.039), reflecting that the proportions of SPK listings for T2DM increased in the post-PAS era (3.4%-3.9%; univariate P = 0.038), while those for type 1 diabetes mellitus remained statistically stable (47.9%-48.4%; univariate P = 0.571). Among people listed for SPK, geographic disparities in the cumulative incidence of transplantation within 2 years declined and the overall likelihood of transplantation increased in the post-PAS era (both P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Geographic disparities in access to SPK declined slightly but persisted post-PAS. With new allocation change proposals and elimination of listing criteria for T2DM, further monitoring is warranted.

Transplantes de órgãos sólidos no Brasil: estudo descritivo sobre desigualdades na distribuição e acesso no território brasileiro, 2001-2017 / Trasplantes de órganos sólidos en Brasil: estudio descriptivo sobre desigualdades en la distribución y acceso en el territorio brasileño, 2001-2017 / Solid organ transplantation in Brazil: a descriptive study of distribution and access inequalities across the Brazilian territory, 2001-2017

Objetivo: descrever a distribuição dos transplantes de órgãos sólidos no Brasil, bem como informações da lista de espera (demanda) e origem dos pacientes transplantados, por tipo de órgão e Unidade da Federação, de 2001 a 2017. Métodos: estudo descritivo, com dados das Centrais Estaduais de Transplantes, da Associação Brasileira de Transplantes de Órgãos e do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH/SUS). Resultados: 153 centros de transplante foram identificados em 2017, apenas 11,8% deles localizados nas regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste; no período em estudo, foram realizados 99.805 transplantes, variando de 3.520 (2001) a 8.669 (2017); as regiões Sul e Sudeste concentraram o maior número de transplantes. Conclusão: existem desigualdades regionais na realização dos transplantes, possivelmente por não haver uniformidade na distribuição dos serviços.

Objetivo: describir la distribución de los trasplantes de órganos sólidos en Brasil, así como informaciones de la lista de espera (demanda) y origen de los pacientes trasplantados por tipo de órgano y unidad federativa, entre 2001 y 2017. Métodos: estudio descriptivo usando datos extraídos de Centrales Estatales de Trasplantes, Asociación Brasileña de Trasplantes de Órganos y Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias del Sistema Único Nacional de Salud (SIH/SUS). Resultados: 153 centros de trasplante identificados en 2017, solamente 11,8% están ubicados en las regiones Norte y Centro-Oeste; se realizaron 99.805 trasplantes, desde 3.520 (2001) hasta 8.669 (2017); Sur y Sudeste concentran el mayor número de trasplantes. Conclusión: hay desigualdad en el acceso a los trasplantes, posiblemente debido a la falta de uniformidad en la distribución de los servicios.

Objective: to describe the distribution of solid organ transplants in Brazil, as well as information about the waiting list (demand) and origin of transplant patients by organ type and Federative Unit, from 2001 to 2017. Methods: this was a descriptive study using data from State Transplantation Centers, the Brazilian Organ Transplant Association, and the Brazilian National Health System Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS). Results: 153 transplant units were identified in 2017, with only 11.8% located in the Northern and Midwest regions; within the study period, 99,805 transplants were performed, ranging from 3,520 (2001) to 8,669 (2017); the highest number of transplants was concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Conclusion: there are inequalities in transplantation access, possibly due to lack of uniformity in service distribution.

Exploration of the Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation With Psychosocial and Medical Outcomes in Kidney and Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: The Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT) is a psychometric instrument designed to assess patient risk for transplant. We investigated the association between SIPAT scores and demographic data with psychosocial and medical outcomes within a diverse kidney/kidney-pancreas transplant population. DESIGN: The SIPAT was administered to all pretransplant candidates. A retrospective review of transplanted patients who had at least 6 months of follow-up was completed. RESULTS: The sample included 136 patients: male (n = 77 [57%]) with a mean age of 47 years old. Thirty-eight percent were black (n = 51), 55% had less than a high school education (n = 74), and 65% had low socioeconomic status (n = 89). Statistical difference was found among SIPAT scores and substance use and support system instability (P = .035, P = .012). Females (P = .012) and patients with a history of psychopathology (P = .002) developed or had a relapse of psychopathology following transplant. Patients with more than a high school education (P = .025) and who were less than 30 years (P = .026) had higher rejection incidence rates. Risk factors for rehospitalizations included Hispanic race, diabetes, and low socioeconomic status (P = .036, P = .038, P = .014). African American/Black and male patients had higher incidence of infection events (P = .032, P = .049). Mortality and treatment nonadherence were not significantly associated with SIPAT scores or demographic variables. CONCLUSION: The SIPAT was associated with posttransplant substance use and support system instability, while demographic variables were associated with the development and/or relapse of psychopathology, graft loss, rejection, infection events, and medical rehospitalizations. Revision of the SIPAT to include additional demographic components may lend to improved prediction of transplant outcomes.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation and the impact of postoperative complications on hospitalization cost. / Impacto das complicações pós-transplante simultâneo pâncreas-rim sobre o custo da internação hospitalar.

OBJECTIVE: considering simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation cases, to evaluate the financial impact of postoperative complications on hospitalization cost. METHODS: a retrospective study of hospitalization data from patients consecutively submitted to simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT), from January 2008 to December 2014, at Kidney Hospital/Oswaldo Ramos Foundation (Sao Paulo, Brazil). The main studied variables were reoperation, graft pancreatectomy, death, postoperative complications (surgical, infectious, clinical, and immunological ones), and hospitalization financial data for transplantation. RESULTS: the sample was composed of 179 transplanted patients. The characteristics of donors and recipients were similar in patients with and without complications. In data analysis, 58.7% of the patients presented some postoperative complication, 21.8% required reoperation, 12.3% demanded graft pancreatectomy, and 8.4% died. The need for reoperation or graft pancreatectomy increased hospitalization cost by 53.3% and 78.57%, respectively. The presence of postoperative complications significantly increased hospitalization cost. However, the presence of death, internal hernia, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and pancreatic graft dysfunction did not present statistical significance in hospitalization cost (in average US$ 18,516.02). CONCLUSION: considering patients who underwent SPKT, postoperative complications, reoperation, and graft pancreatectomy, as well as surgical, infectious, clinical, and immunological complications, significantly increased the mean cost of hospitalization. However, death, internal hernia, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and pancreatic graft dysfunction did not statistically interfere in hospitalization cost.

OBJETIVO: avaliar o impacto financeiro das complicações pós-operatórias no transplante simultâneo pâncreas-rim durante a internação hospitalar. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo dos dados da internação hospitalar dos pacientes submetidos consecutivamente ao transplante simultâneo pâncreas-rim no período de janeiro de 2008 a dezembro de 2014 no Hospital do Rim/Fundação Oswaldo Ramos. As principais variáveis estudadas foram a reoperação, pancreatectomia do enxerto, óbito, complicações pós-operatórias (cirúrgicas, infecciosas, clínicas e imunológicas) e os dados financeiros da internação para o transplante. RESULTADOS: a amostra foi composta de 179 pacientes transplantados. As características dos doadores e receptores foram semelhantes nos pacientes com e sem complicações. Na análise dos dados, 58,7% dos pacientes apresentaram alguma complicação pós-operatória, 21,8% necessitaram de reoperação, 12,3%, de pancreatectomia do enxerto e 8,4% evoluíram para o óbito. A necessidade de reoperação ou pancreatectomia do enxerto aumentou o custo da internação em 53,3% e 78,57%, respectivamente. A presença de complicação pós-operatória aumentou significativamente o custo. Entretanto, a presença de óbito, hérnia interna, infarto agudo do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral e disfunção do enxerto pancreático não apresentaram significância estatística no custo, cuja média foi de US$ 18,516.02. CONCLUSÃO: complicações pós-operatórias, reoperação e pancreatectomia do enxerto aumentaram significativamente o custo médio da internação hospitalar do SPK, assim como as complicações cirúrgicas, infecciosas, clínicas e imunológicas. No entanto, o óbito durante a internação, a hérnia interna, o infarto agudo do miocárdio, o acidente vascular cerebral e a disfunção do enxerto pancreático não interferiram estatisticamente neste custo.

Joint modelling for organ transplantation outcomes for patients with diabetes and the end-stage renal disease.

This article is motivated by jointly modelling longitudinal and time-to-event clinical data of patients with diabetes and end-stage renal disease. All patients are on the waiting list for the pancreas transplant after kidney transplant, and some of them have a pancreas transplant before kidney transplant failure or death. Scant literature has studied the dynamical joint relationship of the estimated glomerular filtration rates trajectory, the effect of pancreas transplant, and time-to-event outcomes, although it remains an important clinical question. In an attempt to describe the association in the multiple outcomes, we propose a new joint model with a longitudinal submodel and an accelerated failure time submodel, which are linked by some latent variables. The accelerated failure time submodel is used to determine the relationship of the time-to-event outcome with all predictors. In addition, the piecewise linear function in the survival submodel is used to calculate the dynamic hazard ratio curve of a time-dependent side event, because the effect of the side event on the time-to-event outcome is non-proportional. The model parameters are estimated with a Monte Carlo EM algorithm. The finite sample performance of the proposed method is investigated in simulation studies. Our method is demonstrated by fitting the joint model for the clinical data of 13,635 patients with diabetes and the end-stage renal disease.

Assessment and management of coronary artery disease in kidney and pancreas transplant candidates.

: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing evaluation for kidney and/or pancreas transplantation represent a population with unique cardiovascular (CV) profiles and unique therapeutic needs. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in patients with ESRD, mediated by both the overrepresentation and higher prognostic value of traditional CV risk factors amongst this population, as well as altered cardiovascular responses to failing renal function, likely mediated by dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and abnormal calcium and phosphate metabolism. Within the ESRD population, obstructive CAD correlates highly with adverse coronary events, including during the peri-transplant period, and successful revascularization may attenuate some of that increased risk. Accordingly, peri-transplant coronary risk assessment is critical to ensuring optimal outcomes for these patients. The following provides a review of CAD in patients being evaluated for kidney and/or pancreas transplantation, as well as evidence-based recommendations for appropriate peri-transplant evaluation and management.

Impacto das complicações pós-transplante simultâneo pâncreas-rim sobre o custo da internação hospitalar / Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation and the impact of postoperative complications on hospitalization cost

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o impacto financeiro das complicações pós-operatórias no transplante simultâneo pâncreas-rim durante a internação hospitalar. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo dos dados da internação hospitalar dos pacientes submetidos consecutivamente ao transplante simultâneo pâncreas-rim no período de janeiro de 2008 a dezembro de 2014 no Hospital do Rim/Fundação Oswaldo Ramos. As principais variáveis estudadas foram a reoperação, pancreatectomia do enxerto, óbito, complicações pós-operatórias (cirúrgicas, infecciosas, clínicas e imunológicas) e os dados financeiros da internação para o transplante. Resultados: a amostra foi composta de 179 pacientes transplantados. As características dos doadores e receptores foram semelhantes nos pacientes com e sem complicações. Na análise dos dados, 58,7% dos pacientes apresentaram alguma complicação pós-operatória, 21,8% necessitaram de reoperação, 12,3%, de pancreatectomia do enxerto e 8,4% evoluíram para o óbito. A necessidade de reoperação ou pancreatectomia do enxerto aumentou o custo da internação em 53,3% e 78,57%, respectivamente. A presença de complicação pós-operatória aumentou significativamente o custo. Entretanto, a presença de óbito, hérnia interna, infarto agudo do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral e disfunção do enxerto pancreático não apresentaram significância estatística no custo, cuja média foi de US$ 18,516.02. Conclusão: complicações pós-operatórias, reoperação e pancreatectomia do enxerto aumentaram significativamente o custo médio da internação hospitalar do SPK, assim como as complicações cirúrgicas, infecciosas, clínicas e imunológicas. No entanto, o óbito durante a internação, a hérnia interna, o infarto agudo do miocárdio, o acidente vascular cerebral e a disfunção do enxerto pancreático não interferiram estatisticamente neste custo.

ABSTRACT Objective: considering simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation cases, to evaluate the financial impact of postoperative complications on hospitalization cost. Methods: a retrospective study of hospitalization data from patients consecutively submitted to simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT), from January 2008 to December 2014, at Kidney Hospital/Oswaldo Ramos Foundation (Sao Paulo, Brazil). The main studied variables were reoperation, graft pancreatectomy, death, postoperative complications (surgical, infectious, clinical, and immunological ones), and hospitalization financial data for transplantation. Results: the sample was composed of 179 transplanted patients. The characteristics of donors and recipients were similar in patients with and without complications. In data analysis, 58.7% of the patients presented some postoperative complication, 21.8% required reoperation, 12.3% demanded graft pancreatectomy, and 8.4% died. The need for reoperation or graft pancreatectomy increased hospitalization cost by 53.3% and 78.57%, respectively. The presence of postoperative complications significantly increased hospitalization cost. However, the presence of death, internal hernia, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and pancreatic graft dysfunction did not present statistical significance in hospitalization cost (in average US$ 18,516.02). Conclusion: considering patients who underwent SPKT, postoperative complications, reoperation, and graft pancreatectomy, as well as surgical, infectious, clinical, and immunological complications, significantly increased the mean cost of hospitalization. However, death, internal hernia, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and pancreatic graft dysfunction did not statistically interfere in hospitalization cost.

Evaluation of a single-pass with biphasic intravenous contrast medium injection CT protocol for the assessment of complications post-simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant.

AIM: To evaluate the use of a single-pass with biphasic intravenous contrast medium injection computed tomography (CT) protocol to provide diagnostic quality CT studies for the assessment of complications post-simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an audit of practice and the need for informed consent was waived. The protocol was used in consecutive patients undergoing CT to exclude intra-abdominal sepsis post-SPK between June and December 2015. Single CT acquisition of the abdomen and pelvis was initiated 70 seconds after the start of biphasic contrast medium injection (66 ml at 1.2 ml/s, followed by 34 ml at 2.4 ml/s, 370 mg iodine/ml). The named transplant pancreas vessels were identified and the attenuation values of the blood within were measured. Diagnostic quality was confirmed if values were >211 HU and >80 HU in the arteries and veins, respectively. RESULTS: Thirteen CT studies were performed in 10 patients. CT studies were excluded due to complete pancreatic necrosis, and transplant superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombus with pancreatic head ischaemia causing effacement of the transplant superior mesenteric vein (SMV). Diagnostic quality of the analysed CT studies were confirmed with mean attenuation value of blood >211 HU in the transplant pancreatic arteries (SMA=259.0±51.4 HU, splenic artery=245.3±37.5 HU), and >80 HU in the pancreatic veins (SMV=195.4±36.2 HU, splenic vein=185.1±54.2 HU). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic quality CT studies were obtained using the single-pass CT protocol. Radiation exposure to patients may be reduced with this protocol, while permitting simultaneous assessment of parenchymal and vascular complications post-SPK.