Organ Transplantation Flashcards
T/F: Patients with metastatic cancer can be donors.
True (for corneas)
What is the only absolute contraindication to organ donation?
HIV positive
What is the mechanism of hyperacute rejection? What is it caused by?
Mechanism is vascular thrombosis caused by preformed antivodies
How is hyperacute rejection prevented?
ABO matching and lymphocytotoxic crossmatch
When does hyperacute rejection occur?
Within minutes of reestablishing blood supply to the organ
When does acute rejection occur?
after the first 5 days and usually within the first 3 months
What confirms acute rejection?
organ biopsy
T/F: In the case of liver transplant, signs of organ dysfunction (usually seen as a sign of acute rejection) are more commonly caused by “technical problems” like biliary obstruction or vascular thrombosis.
True!
With signs of liver dysfunction (rising GGT, Alk Phos, and bili), perform ultrasound to r/o biliary obstruction and Doppler to r/o vascular thrombosus
Why are routine ventricular biopsies done after cardiac transplantation?
Signs of functional deterioration occur to late to allow effective therapy for acute rejection
What is the first line of therapy for acute rejection? If unsuccessful, what is given?
first line: steroid bolus
If unsuccessful, lymphocyte agents (like OKT3) are given.
When is chronic rejection seen?
Years after the transplant
T/F: There is no treatment for chronic rejection.
True, but patients are still biopsied in case its a treatable case of acute rejection
What are the symptoms/signs of chronic rejection?
gradual, insidious loss of organ function
