12: Transplantation Flashcards
What are the following characteristics of the immunosuppresive agent FK-506 (Prograf, Tacrolimus)?
- Mechanism of action
- Side effect
- Mechanism of action: Binds FK-binding protein with actions similar to, but more potent than Cyclosporin (inhibition of cytokine synthesis)
- Side effect: Nephrotoxicity, more GI symptoms and mood changes than Cyclosporin
[Much less entero-hepatic recirculation compared to Cyclosporin. Less rejection episodes in kidney transplants with FK-506 compared to Cyclosporin. Need to keep trough between 10 and 15.]
What is the most common complication following a pancreas transplant?
Venous thrombosis
[Pancreas transplant rejection is hard to diagnose if the patient does not also have a kidney transplant. Signs of rejection may include increased glucose or amylase, fever, or leukocytosis.]
ABO blood compatibility is generally required for all transplants except which one?
Liver transplant
What is the criteria for an urgent liver transplant?
Fulminant hepatic failure (encephalopathy: stupor, coma)
What is the likely cause of the following postoperative conditions after a kidney transplant?
- Postoperative Oliguria
- Postoperative diuresis
- New proteinuria
- Postoperative diabetes
- Postoperative Oliguria: Usually due to acute tubular necrosis (pathology shows hydrophobic changes)
- Postoperative diuresis: Usually due to urea and glucose
- New proteinuria: Suggestive of renal vein thrombosis
- Postoperative diabetes: Side effect of Cyclosporin, Tacrolimus, or steroids
What is the most common complication and most common cause of death for a living kidney donor?
- Most common complication: Wound infection (1%)
- Most common cause of death: Fatal pulmonary embolism
[The remaining kidney hypertrophies.]
What is the 5-year kidney graft survival in the following circumstances?
- Cadaveric graft
- Living donor graft
- Overall 5-year survival
- Cadaveric graft: 65%
- Living donor graft: 75%
- Overall 5-year survival: 70%
What are the 2 most common malignancies following any transplant?
- Skin cancer is #1 (squamous cell cancer is most common)
- Post-transplant lympho-proliferative disorder (PTLD) is #2 (Epstein-Barr virus related)
How do the effects of early hepatic artery thrombosis differ from late hepatic artery thrombosis in a liver transplant patient?
- Early hepatic artery thrombosis leads to fulminant hepatic failure
- Late hepatic artery thrombosis leads to biliary strictures and abscesses but not fulminant hepatic failure
[Early hepatic artery thrombosis will likely need emergent re-transplantation for ensuing fulminant hepatic failure (revision of the anastomosis or a stent can be attempted).]
What are the below characteristics of acute liver transplant rejection?
- Clincal
- Labs
- Pathology
- Timing
- Clincal: Fever, jaundice, decreased bile output
- Labs: Leukocytosis, eosinophilia, increased LFTs, increased total bilirubin, and increased PT
- Pathology: Shows portal triad lymphocytosis, endotheliitis (mixed infiltrate), and bile duct injury
- Timing: Usually occurs in first 2 months
[Chronic rejection is unusual after liver transplant. When it occurs, it causes disappearing bile ducts, gradually leading to bile duct obstruction with increases in alkaline phosphatase and portal fibrosis.]
What are the below characteristics of a liver transplant:
- How long can it be stored?
- Contraindications to liver transplant?
- Most common reason for liver transplant in adults?
- How long can it be stored? 24 hours
- Contraindications to liver transplant? Current ethanol abuse, acute ulcerative colitis
- Most common reason for liver transplant in adults? Chronic hepatitis C
How long can the following be stored prior to transplantation?
- Heart
- Lung
Both can be stored for 6 hours
What is the treatment for the following types of rejection?
- Hyperacute rejection
- Accelerated rejection
- Acute rejection
- Chronic rejection
- Hyperacute rejection: Emergent re-transplantation or just removal of organ if kidney
- Accelerated rejection: Increase immunosuppression, pulse steroids, and possibly antibody treatment
- Acute rejection: Increase immunosuppression, pulse steroids, and possibly antibody treatment
- Chronic rejection: Increase immunosuppression (no really effective treatment)
What is the treatment for post-transplant lympho-proliferative disorder (PTLD)?
- Withdrawal of immunosuppression
- May need chemotherapy and XRT for an aggressive tumor
[PTLD is Epstein-Barr virus related.]
What is the #1 cause of early mortality following lung transplant and what is the treatment?
- Reperfusion injury
- Treatment is similar to ARDS