Factors affecting organ donation rate during devastating brain injuries: a 6-year data analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The discrepancy between organ donation rate and the number of patients waiting transplantation has been a common problem in Turkey. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), traumatic brain injury (TBI), anoxic encephalopathy, stroke, and brain tumors comprise the majority of the causes of brain death. This study thus aimed is to analyze potential brain deaths and factors associated with organ donation among such patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of 629 intensive care unit (ICU) patients with potentially devastating cerebral lesions from 01/2013 to 12/2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics and the prevalence of consent for organ donation were then assessed. RESULTS: Although possible brain death was considered in 102 patients, 21 (18%) died before diagnostic tests could be performed. Accordingly, the 81 potential organ donors had a donor conversion rate (DCR) of 30%. Causes of non-organ retrieval among potential donors included refusal of consent by relatives (89.5%), indecision of the family regarding donation or no relatives present (7%), and medical unsuitability for donation (3.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that refusal by the family was the most common reason for failure of deceased organ donations. To maximize the number of procured organs, transplant communities need to focus on increasing awareness regarding brain death and organ donation and establish strategies to increase consent obtained from the families.

Retrospective Investigation of Grafted Kidney Function After Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade Using Neostigmine or Sugammadex.

INTRODUCTION: Sugammadex has the steroid-encapsulating effect that reverses neuromuscular block induced by aminosteroid neuromuscular-blocking agents. Sugammadex can interact with other drugs that have the same steroidal structure with rocuronium, such as corticosteroids. Corticosteroids play a crucial role in the immunosuppression of kidney transplantation. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are any differences in grafted kidney function in recipients of kidney transplantation when sugammadex or neostigmine is given to the recipient. METHODS: The study included 42 recipients of kidney transplant, with complete, readable medical charts and anesthetic records. Fourteen recipients' neuromuscular block was reversed with sugammadex (group S) and 28 recipients' neuromuscular block was reversed with neostigmine (group N). We tested noninferiority for serum creatinine during the preoperative period and 5 days after transplantation. Short-term (28 days) outcomes of kidney transplantations were assessed by the incidence of acute rejection episodes, graft failure, length of stay at hospital, and mortality. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics, serum creatinine values, short-term outcomes, and graft survival rates at 28 days' postoperatively between group S and group N (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed no difference in risk of serious adverse effects on short-term graft functions in patients who underwent kidney transplantation. However, considering the sugammadex-corticosteroids interaction, the immunosuppression and long-term effects on grafted kidney functions, current safety experience is insufficient to support the recommendation of routine sugammadex use in this population. These results need to be confirmed by sufficiently powered, controlled, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies on larger patient populations.

Normal Saline Versus Balanced Crystalloid Solutions for Kidney Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The ideal crystalloid solution to be used during the perioperative period in patients undergoing kidney transplantation remains unclear. Normal saline (NS), the intravenous fluid commonly using during the perioperative period, contains a high chloride content, which may be associated with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and acute kidney injury. Balanced crystalloid (BC) solutions have a lower chloride content. The purpose of the study was to determine if a BC solution prevents the incidence of hyperchloremia and hyperkalemia during renal transplantation. METHODS: NS and BC given during kidney transplantation are compared. The primary outcome was hyperchloremia and hyperkalemia within 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes were levels of serum creatinine at preoperative and within 5 days after transplantation, the incidence of acute rejection episodes, graft failure, length of stay at hospital, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were included in the study (30 in the BC group and 30 in the NS group). The mean postoperative chloride was 103.0 mmol/L (95% CI, 101-105) in the NS group and 100 mmol/L (95% CI, 98-102) in the BC group (P < .05). There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics, serum creatinine values within 5 days, short-term outcomes, and graft survival rates at 28 days postoperatively between groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a moderate volume (approximately 1500.0 mL) of NS infusion causes hyperchloremia rather than adverse clinical outcomes. A moderate amount of NS infusion can be used safely during uncomplicated living-donor kidney transplantations.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Systemic Infection in Deceased Donors.

BACKGROUND: Organ donation shortage is the primary barrier to all organ transplantations.Infectious disease transmission through transplantation is considered controversial for organ retrieval. Donors with bacteremia and sepsis are considered controversial for organ retrieval due to potential transmission of an infectious agent to the recipient. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of bacterial culture of the donor's blood from peripheral venous or central venous catheter, urine, and bronchial aspiration from the organ donation registries of 102 potential donors from the Ministry of Health and Tissue Transplant Coordination Center of Istanbul Region in 2015. RESULTS: Of the 102 deceased donors included in the analysis, 24 (23.5%) had infection. The most common sites of infection were the bloodstream (41.6%) and the respiratory system (37.5%). The most common isolated pathogens of the bacterial cultures were Gram-positive bacteria (21), Gram-negative microorganisms (14), and Candida (1). The significant risk factor for infection was duration of stay at the intensive care unit (median: 5 day; 25-75%: 3-5 day) (odds ratio, 2.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-8.12; P < .05). The presence of infection in the donor accounted for a significant part of the reasons why the organs were not accepted for transplantation (kidneys 9%, liver 4%, heart 6%). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that deceased donors with prolonged stays in the intensive care unit have an increased risk for developing nosocomial infections; so there is a need for establishing and enforcing the prevention and control of infection in possible donors.

Reasons Why Organs From Deceased Donors Were Not Accepted for Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The rate of organ donations from deceased donors in Turkey is among the lowest in the world. We analyzed the reasons why some potential donors whose families had given consent did not become actual solid organ donors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the organ donation, retrieval, and transplantation registries of 102 potential donors from the Ministry of Health Organ and Tissue Transplant Coordination Centre of Istanbul Region from the year 2015. RESULTS: Cardiac arrest occurred in 8 of the potential donors while waiting for organ procurement or during surgery. The organ specific suitability ratio was 83% for kidneys, 82% for livers, 72% for hearts, and 75% for lungs. Of these suitable organs, the transplantation rates were as follows: kidneys 88%, livers 70%, hearts 30%, and lungs 13%. Medical reasons (donor unsuitable) (14%-24%) and poor organ function (2%-24%) were the reasons most organs were not accepted for transplant. These reasons included diabetes insipidus, electrolyte imbalance caused by neuro-humoral changes, inotrope/vasopressor requirement for hemodynamic instability, hypoperfusion, and myocardial dysfunction after brain death. CONCLUSION: The mismatch between organ donation and demand is a major problem worldwide. In addition to low organ donation rates, late diagnosis of potential donors or inappropriate management of the pathophysiological consequences of brain death reduce the number of transplantable organs even more in our country. In order to overcome these setbacks, we need education programs to improve quality and decrease donor losses in an intensive care unit goal-directed protocol for the management of potential donors.

Adverse Effect of Sildenafil on Healing Ischemic Wounds: Results of an In vivo Study.

Phosphodiesterase-5 is an enzyme that inactivates cyclic guanosine monophosphate and regulates the balance of nitric oxide (NO). NO is an important molecule synthesized during wound repair. An in vivo study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sildenafil, known to have a role in regulating the effect of NO in perfusion, on the wound healing process under ischemic conditions in rats. Reepithelialization, neovascularization, inflammatory cells, and amount and maturation of granulation tissue were scored on a scale of 0-3 (none, partial, complete but immature/thin, complete and mature, respectively). Data were analyzed using ANOVA one-way test, with statistical significance determined at P < 0.05. Forty-two (42) Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, wounded with H-shaped flaps, and randomized into 2 groups: 1 group received 10 mg/kg sildenafil (dissolved in 1 mL distilled water) orally via orogastric tubes and the other group received a 0.9% NaCl solution via intraperitoneal injection (0.1 mL). On days 3, 5, and 10, 7 rats from each group were sacrificed. Blinded investigators analyzed skin samples for the wound healing evaluating criteria using from hematoxylin/eosin staining under an optical microscope at 10X and 40X magnification. Histopathological analysis showed sildenafil significantly reduced reepithelialization, neovascularization, amount of granulation tissue, and number of inflammatory cells on day 3 and increased inflammatory cells on day 10 (P < 0.05). Further research is needed to clarify the potential role of oral or topically applied different doses of sildenafil for ischemic wound healing as well to evaluate its safety and efficacy when administered alone or in combination with other therapies.

Effects of systemic erythropoietin on ischemic wound healing in rats.

Results of in vivo studies have shown erythropoietin (EPO) is associated with anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and cell protective effects on wound healing. These effects are dose-dependent. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the duration of EPO treatment affects the healing process in the ischemic wound. Forty-two (42) Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, wounded with H-shaped flaps, and randomized to 2 groups; Group 1 received 400 u/kg/day EPO and Group 2 received a saline solution, both via intraperitoneal injection following the wounding. All substances were administered once daily at the same time for up to 10 days after surgery. At days 3, 5, and 10, 7 rats from each group were sacrificed. Skin samples were stained with hematoxylin/eosin, viewed under an optical microscope at 10X and 40X magnification, and analyzed by blinded investigators for re-epithelialization, neovascularization amount and maturation of granulation tissue, inflammatory cells, and ulcer healing using an evaluation scale where 0 = none; 1 = partial; 2 = complete, but immature/thin: and 4 = complete and mature. Blood hemoglobin and hematocrit levels also were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA one-way test (P <0.05). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels rose while subsequent doses of EPO were administered over time, accompanied by a transient surge in healing on day 5, when differences in healing scores were significant. Flap necrosis, ulceration, and abscess were noted on post-wounding day 10 near the pedicle. The study showed EPO therapy can improve wound healing early in the post-wounding period but can reduce wound healing after post-injury treatment day 5. Further research is necessary, particularly to establish how EPO influences the microcirculation and rheology.

Cerebral oximetry probes-associated skin burns in pediatric patients.

Cerebral oxygen monitoring continuously monitors cerebral oxygenation with a noninvasive technique based on near-infrared spectroscopy. In this report, we describe 2 children in whom skin burns followed the reuse of probes monitoring cerebral oxygenation with In Vivo Optical Spectroscopy.

[Comparison of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine with epidural technique for labor analgesia]. / Epidural yöntem ile yapilan dogum analjezisinde bupivakain ve levobupivakainin karsilastirilmasi

OBJECTIVES: The labor pain is one of the most severe pains that a woman could ever be suffered. Today, many medical and psychological methods are used in an effort to reduce labor pain.Epidural analgesia is the best current method used for the purposes of obstetric analgesia. METHODS: The study was carried out on 60 ASA-I pregnant women whose 3 to 6 cm of cervical dilatation, treated in Health Ministry Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic, within vaginal labor process. With use of patient controlled epidural analgesia method, the bupivacaine combined with low dose fentanyl were administered to 30 pregnant women (Group B). Levobupivacaine, combined with low dose fentanyl applied with the same method was administered to another 30 pregnant women (Group L). Between the two groups, the hemodynamic parameters on the mother and fetus, the course of the labor process, severity of pain, its influences on newborn and mother satisfaction were compared. RESULTS: In our study, there was no difference as to motor block development between groups, but the sensory block was monitored less in group L at the minutes 15, 30, 45 and 90. Furthermore, the 5 minutes pain score was found lower in group L. The VAS values at the other times were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, with the usage of 0.125% bupivacaine or 0.125% levobupivacaine, sufficient labor analgesia is achieved with patient controlled epidural analgesia method at the same side effect frequency. Consequently, both local analgesic medicines are seemed to be safely used in labor analgesia.