Transplant Surgery Flashcards
Organ or tissue transplanted from one individual to another of the same species
Allograft
Organ or tissue transplanted from one point to another of the same individuals body
Autograft
Graft placed in a site different from that where the organ is normally located e.g. kidney transplant
Heterotopic Graft
What is Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)?
Immediate graft destruction (minutes to hours)
- Cause?
- Characteristics?
- Therapy?
Hyperacute Rejection
- Caused by ABO or preformed anti-HLA antibodies (from previous blood transfusion/transplant/pregnancy).
- Characterized by interstitial haemorrhage and intravascular thrombosis.
- The only therapeutic option is to remove the allograft immediately
Graft destruction weeks to months (<6)
- Cause?
- Characteristics?
- Therapy?
Acute Rejection
- Antibody-mediated, cell-mediated or BOTH
- Characterised by mononuclear cells (Cytotoxic T-Cells, B-Cells, natural killer (NK) cells) infiltration of the graft
- Reversible usually with additional immunosuppressives
Graft rejection after first six months as late as years after transplant
Chronic Rejection
- Most common cause of graft failure. Cause not fully understood though alloantibodies major cause
- Results in intimal thickening and fibrosis of graft vessels as well as graft atrophy
- Functional deterioration of the graft over months/years resulting in complete graft failure
Early Causes of Allograft Dysfunction
Primary non-function – irreversible ischaemic damage
Delayed function – reversible ischaemic injury
Hyperacute/Acute rejection
Arterial or venous thrombosis of graft vessels
Drug toxicity
Infection
Mechanical obstruction e.g. ureter/bile duct
Late Causes of Allograft Dysfunction
Chronic rejection
Arterial Stenosis
Recurrence of original disease in graft
Mechanical Obstruction
MOA of Immunosuppression
Examples
Immunosuppressive agents work to prevent rejection by acting at different stages during T-Cell activation
Most regimens include steroids, a calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus), and an anti-proliferative agent (azathioprine)
Side Effects of Immunosuppression
Indications for Liver Transplant
- Paracetamol overdose
- Alcoholic liver dx [6/12 abstinence b4 consideration]
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- HCV
Complications of Liver Transplant
Rejection
Opportunistic infection
SCC of Skin
Contraindications for Liver Transplant
Predicted life expectancy <5 years
Chronic current systemic infection [sepsis]
Continued abuse of alcohol or drugs
Active malignancy
Indications for Cardiac Transplant
Recurrent life-threatening left ventricular arrhythmias despite an implantable cardiac defibrillator, antiarrhythmic therapy, or catheter-based ablation.
End-stage congenital HF with no evidence of pulmonary hypertension.
Refractory angina without potential medical or surgical therapeutic options.
Cardiogenic shock requiring continuous intravenous inotropic therapy.
Refractory cardiogenic shock requiring intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation or left ventricular
assist device (LVAD).