A comprehensive strategy in donor acceptance: Impact on pediatric waitlist and heart transplant outcomes.

Significant inter- and intra-center practice variability is present in pediatric donor heart acceptability. This may contribute to variation in the donor refusal rate and may impact waitlist time, morbidity, mortality, and transplant rates. In order to reduce practice variability, our center developed and implemented a comprehensive strategy regarding donor acceptance in September 2017. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of this strategy on waitlist time and outcomes as well as early post-transplant outcomes. We performed a single-center, retrospective analysis of all pediatric (<18 years) patients listed for single-organ heart transplant at our center from September 2015 to September 2018. Patients were divided into those listed before (Group 1) and after implementation of the comprehensive strategy (Group 2). The primary end-point was waitlist time. Secondary end-points included waitlist removal due to death or clinical deterioration, donor refusals per listed patient, early post-transplant outcomes (graft failure, mechanical ventilation time, inotropic support, length of hospital stay) and 1-year post-transplant survival. Of 78 listed patients, 54 were transplanted (29 in Group 1), 9 were removed due to death or clinical deterioration (7 in Group 1) and 15 were removed due to clinical improvement (12 in Group 1). The waitlist time was significantly shorter in Group 2 (17 days, IQR 7-53) vs Group 1 (90 days, IQR 14-162); P = .006. The number of donor refusals was lower in Group 2 (1, IQR 0-2.2) vs Group 1 (4, IQR 2-19); P < .001. The percentage of refused donors with normal function (Left ventricular ejection fraction > 50%) was lower in Group 2 vs Group 1 (53% vs 84%; P < .001). Difference in removal from the waitlist for death or deterioration in Group 2 vs Group 1 (n = 2, 7% vs n = 7, 20%, P = .18) did not reach statistical significance. There was no difference in post-transplant outcomes between groups. The waitlist time and donor refusals significantly decreased after implementation of a comprehensive donor acceptance strategy without impacting transplant outcomes. This analysis supports the need for a comprehensive approach to donor organ acceptance within a pediatric transplant center.

Cimetidine: A Safe Treatment Option for Cutaneous Warts in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients.

Abstract:Background andObjectives: Immunosuppressed individuals are at particularly increased risk for human papilloma virus-related infections. The primary objective of our study is to determine if there are any adverse effects associated with high-dose cimetidine treatment. A secondary objective is to report our experience with cimetidine in the treatment of cutaneous warts in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Methods and Results: This was a retrospective observational study. A total of 8 pediatric heart transplant recipients diagnosed with multiple recalcitrant warts were the subject of the study. All patients were treated with cimetidine (30-40 mg/kg/day) in two divided doses for 3 to 6 month durations. All patients had complete resolution of their lesions except 1 patient who had no clinical improvement. Of these 8 patients, one had recurrence of warts at one year follow-up, which resolved with restarting cimetidine therapy. One patient who had only 3 months of cimetidine therapy had immediate relapse after cimetidine was stopped. None of them had significant change in their tacrolimus trough, serum creatinine, and alanine transaminase levels. No adverse events were reported except one patient experienced mild gynecomastia. Conclusion: Cimetidine can be a safe and alternative treatment option for multiple warts in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

Healthcare providers' attitudes toward parent participation in the care of the hospitalized child.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE: To examine healthcare providers' attitudes toward parent participation in the care of their hospitalized child. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this descriptive, comparative study, 504 pediatric healthcare providers were surveyed to measure attitudes toward parent participation. RESULTS: Results from 256 respondents indicated support for parent participation, but there was substantially less support for parental activities usually carried out by healthcare providers and those involving complex patient care tasks. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Although pediatric healthcare providers support parent participation, they tend to draw the line on what they believe are suitable parent activities. Newly developed pain standards and cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines incorporating parent participation have important implications for expanding the boundaries of parental involvement.