Current Issues in Organ Preservation: Clinical Case Studies and Expert Commentary

Faculty

Needs Statement

As the need for organ transplantation increases and the waiting list continues to grow, successful utilization and transplantation of as many available donor organs as possible has become paramount. While short-term outcomes have continued to improve and the incidence of acute rejection episodes has decreased, there has been only modest improvement in longer term outcomes, due to a variety of factors. Clearly, the greater use of extended criteria donors (ECD) and donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors should be considered as a contributing factor, which reduce both short and long-term graft survival. These donors contribute an increasingly larger percentage of organs for transplantation — older donors and DCD account for the major growth in deceased donors over the past 5 years. The maintenance of organ viability during recovery and preservation remains a key factor in successful outcomes. Knowledge surrounding the impact of brain death, warm and cold ischemia, and reperfusion injury on post-transplant organ function has increased dramatically in recent years. Increasing awareness of the effects of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury on transplant outcomes has sparked a revived interest in cold storage preservation solutions. Optimal selection and use of preservation solutions to minimize the tissue damage and injury during the ischemic period to avoid post-transplant complications is an emerging area of research. The purpose of this monograph is to critically evaluate selected currently available and widely used preservation solutions in liver and pancreas transplantation based upon published literature. Case studies and expert commentary will be used to illustrate key considerations of the impact of organ preservation solutions on post-transplant outcomes and how this impacts the dynamically changing nature of organ donor utilization in the United States.

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for medical professionals involved in the management of transplant patients including: transplant physicians, surgeons, and organ procurement personnel.

Objectives

1. Differentiate among commonly used solid organ preservation solutions;
2. Discuss factors that influence the outcome in organ preservation;
3. Describe the impact of organ preservation solutions on transplant outcomes.

Accreditation

CME
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Fung has served on Essential Pharmaceuticals speaker bureau.
Dr. Gaber has received consultation fees from Essential Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Miller has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Dr. Shapiro has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Dr. Sutherland has no relevant financial relationships disclose.
Dr. Blisard has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

 

 

Activity Sponsorship

This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky and CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Essential Pharmaceuticals, LLC.