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R Gruessner

Publications and source records attributed to R Gruessner.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Successful 96-Hr cold-storage preservation of canine pancreas with UW solution containing the thromboxane A2 synthesis inhibitor OKY046.

Prostanoids, such as prostacyclin (PGI) and thromboxane A2 (TxA), have been recently suggested to play an important role in preservation-induced injury of pancreas grafts. We have previously shown that the TxA synthesis inhibitor OKY046 prevents a decrease of both the PGI/TxA ratio and blood flow in pancreas grafts after 24-hr preservation with Euro-Collins solution. In our present study, we analyzed whether OKY046 added to University of Wisconsin (UW) solution could extend successful cold-storage preservation of segmental canine pancreas grafts, compared with UW alone. We divided 30 dogs into four preservation groups: Group 1, UW solution for 72 hr (n = 7); Group 2, UW solution for 96 hr (n = 8); Group 3, UW solution plus OKY046 (10(-4) M) for 72 hr (n = 7); and Group 4, UW solution plus OKY046 (10(-4) M) for 96 hr (n = 8). After the cold storage period, segmental pancreas auto-transplantation with immediate completion pancreatectomy was done. Preservation was deemed successful if serum glucose less than 150 mg/dl was maintained for at least 5 days. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests and biopsies were done in those dogs with functioning grafts 14 days post-transplant. Successful preservation rates were as follows: Group 1, 57.1%; Group 2, 12.5%; Group 3, 100%; and Group 4, 75%. The mean K values (+/- standard error) were: Group 1, 1.54 +/- 0.13; Group 2, 0.59; Group 3, 1.54 +/- 0.14; and Group 4, 1.59 +/- 0.24 (not statistically different).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine↗

A single institution's experience with solitary pancreas transplantation: a multivariate analysis of factors leading to improved outcome.

The results of cadaveric donor pancreas transplantation at a single institution using the bladder drainage technique have been analyzed according to several factors that may impinge on outcome. Both multivariate and univariate statistical methods were used, with emphasis on solitary (pancreas after kidney and pancreas transplant alone) as opposed to simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplants. Of the 444 pancreas transplants performed at our institution from December 1966 through December 1991, we analyzed 249 bladder-drained cadaver donor pancreas transplants from November 1984 through August 1991. The factors that had a significant impact on outcome in the Cox multivariate analysis included retransplantation, age, preservation time, and degree of HLA mismatching. The results of solitary pancreas transplants improved with time as the factors that have an impact on graft survival rates were deliberately manipulated. During the 1988 to 1991 era, pancreas graft functional survival (insulin-independent) rates were not significantly different among the 3 recipient categories. Solitary pancreas transplant recipients less than 45 years old receiving primary grafts had a 1-year function rate of 61% in the pancreas transplant alone group (n = 32) and 74% in the pancreas after kidney group (n = 24). By placing emphasis on minimizing HLA mismatches, by giving adequate immunosuppression, and by detecting and treating rejection episodes early based on a decline in urine amylase, the results with solitary pancreas transplantation can be as good as those with simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation. There are limitations to the interpretations that can be given to retrospective studies using inhomogeneous factors, as is the case in the analyses presented here. We cannot identify risk factors with certainty because the protocols changed over time, eg, immunosuppressive regimens, policies on HLA matching, and choice of duct-management techniques. Thus, in the analysis of all cases, not only was there a higher proportion by the bladder-drainage techniques in the later period, but the proportion of cases with good HLA matches was also higher: yet the earlier cases (more poorly matched, performed by the other techniques, and with worse results), were in the model. Retransplantation is also a problem for the analysis. The number performed was proportionately greater in the later period, and the possibility of retransplantation differed according to the patient's age. Over such a long time, we cannot evaluate our gain in experience statistically.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Influence of preservation time on outcome and metabolic function of bladder-drained pancreas transplants.

The influence of cold storage preservation time on graft survival and metabolic function of pancreatic transplants was studied in 130 recipients of bladder-drained grafts (47 simultaneous with, 33 after, and 50 without a kidney transplant) between October 1, 1984 and May 1, 1989. The recipients were divided into four groups according to the preservation time: less than 6 hr (n = 11), 6-12 hr (n = 24), 12-24 hr (n = 75), and greater than 24 hr (n = 20). Twenty-six grafts were procured by other transplant teams and sent to us. Silica gel fractionated plasma was used for preservation in 104 cases and the University of Wisconsin solution in 25 (1 in the less than 6 hr, 2 in the 6-12 hr, 16 in the 12-24 hr, and 6 in the greater than 24 hr groups). The technical failure rate at 1 month was 13% (17 grafts), 1 (9%) in the less than 6 hr, 5 (21%) in the 6-12 hr, 9 (12%) in the 12-24 hr, and 2 (10%) in the greater than 24 hr groups. At 1 month, 107 (82%) of the grafts were functioning, 10 (91%) in the less than 6 hr, 18 (75%) in the 6-12 hr, 62 (83%) in the 12-24 hr and 17 (85%) in the greater than 24 hr groups, the longest preserved for 30 hr. The respective 1-year graft survival rates were 51%, 50%, 57%, and 70%. Ninety patients (10 in the less than 6 hr, 16 in the 6-12 hr, 51 in the 12-24 hr, and 13 in the greater than 24 hr groups) had metabolic studies between 2 and 6 weeks postransplant. The results of 24-hour profiles (14 blood glucose determinations) were similar in each preservation time group; the means of the mean (+/- SD) profile glucose (mg/dl) values were 130 +/- 19, 126 +/- 31, 130 +/- 24, and 129 +/- 30, respectively (P greater than 0.6). Mean plasma glucose levels at 2 hr during OGTT were 141 +/- 32, 145 +/- 43. 163 +/- 49, and 184 +/- 100 in the respective preservation groups (P greater than or equal to 0.064). According to the National Diabetes Data Group classification, 75% of recipients in the less than 6 hr, 50% in the 6-12 hr, 44% in the 12-24 hr, and 33% in the greater than 24 hr groups had normal OGTT results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Blood Glucose↗

Detection of pancreatic fluid and urine leakage after pancreas transplantation: value of CT and cystography.

Leakage from the urinary bladder or duodenal stump after pancreas transplantation with urinary bladder drainage of the graft is difficult to diagnose clinically. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with fluoroscopic cystography and CT to determine their relative merit in the diagnosis of pancreatic fluid and urine leakage as documented by surgical exploration in pancreas transplant recipients. Thirteen leaks were diagnosed by fluoroscopic cystography or by CT in 11 patients after pancreas transplantation with urinary bladder drainage of pancreatic fluid. Conventional retrograde fluoroscopic cystography showed 11 leaks; CT with retrograde bladder opacification showed three leaks. Of the five CT studies that did not show a leak and that also were done within 7 days of a cystogram with abnormal findings, failure to use retrograde bladder opacification accounted for the majority (three cases) of missed diagnoses. Focal or free peritoneal abdominal fluid was seen in all CT examinations, with extravasation of contrast material seen into both walled-off collections and free ascites. Our experience suggests that retrograde bladder and duodenal stump opacification should be a routine part of the CT evaluation performed to detect leakage from the urinary bladder or duodenal stump after pancreas transplantation.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

A 10-year experience with 290 pancreas transplants at a single institution.

Since our report at the 1984 American Surgical Association meeting of 100 pancreas transplants from 1966 through 1983, another 190 have been performed. The current series, begun in 1978, now numbers 276 cases, and includes 133 nonuremic recipients of pancreas transplants alone (PTA), 46 simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplants (SPK), and 97 pancreas tranplants after a kidney transplant (PAK). Duct management techniques used were free intraperitoneal drainage in 44 cases, duct occlusion in 44, enteric drainage in 89, and bladder drainage in 128. The 1-year patient and graft survival rates in the entire cohort of 276 were 91% and 42%. One-year patient survival rates were 88% in the first 100, 91% in the second 100, and 92% in the last 76 cases; corresponding 1-year graft survival rates were 28%, 47%, and 56% (p less than 0.05). A prospective comparison of bladder drainage (n = 82) versus enteric drainage (n = 46) in PAK/PTA cases since November 1, 1984 favored bladder drainage (1-year graft survival rates of 52% vs. 41%) because of urinary amylase monitoring. The best results were in recipients of primary SPK bladder-drained transplants (n = 39), with a 1-year pancreas graft survival rate of 75%, kidney graft survival rate of 80%, and patient survival rate of 95%. Logistic regression analysis, with 1-year graft function as the independent variable, showed significant (p less than 0.05) predictors of success (odds ratio) to be technique: bladder drainage (5.8) versus enteric drainage (2.5) versus duct injection (1.0); category: SPK (6.0) versus PAK from same donor (3.2) versus PAK from different donor (1.2) versus PTA (1.0); and donor HLA DR mismatch: 0 (5.0) versus 1 (2.5) versus 2 (1.0) antigens. On April 1, 1989, 90 patients had functioning grafts (60 euglycemic and insulin-free for more than 1 year, 10 for 5 to 10 years); these, along with 24 others whose grafts functioned for 1 to 6 years before failing, are part of an expanding cohort in whom the influence of inducing a euglycemic state on pre-existing secondary complications of diabetes is being studied. Only preliminary data is available. In regard to neuropathy, at more than 1 year after transplant in patients with functioning grafts, conduction velocities in some nerves were increased over baseline. In regard to retinopathy, deterioration in grade occurred in approximately 30% of the recipients by 3 years, whether the graft functioned continuously or failed early, but thereafter retinopathy in the patients with functioning grafts remained stable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Diabetes Mellitus↗

Lymphomas in solid organ transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation was to identify and characterize abdominal lymphomas as they occur in a large solid-organ-transplant population. METHODS: A large transplant population was isolated, and all patients developing an abdominal lymphoma were identified. These patients were further characterized after review of their medical records and radiologic examinations. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (1%) of 2925 patients developed lymphoma following transplantation. Of these 28 patients, 14 developed abdominal manifestations of disease. Examples of the wide variety of abdominal manifestations of posttransplant lymphoma are presented. Most of these patients had positive titers for Epstein-Barr virus and were treated with cyclosporin as a part of their immunotherapy. The majority of patients died secondary to this aggressive disease process. CONCLUSION: The development of lymphoma following solid organ transplantation is more common than in the general population. One-half of the patients in our study population developed abdominal manifestations of this disease.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Pre-emptive renal transplantation.

We report our experience with pre-emptive renal transplantation and review the literature. While eliminating the cost, complications and inconvenience of dialysis, transplantation prior to dialysis therapy can be performed safely and effectively as it does not pose any additional immunological hazards to allograft outcome. It is safe regardless of the immunosuppressive agents employed and is successful without early rejection even in the nonuremic state.

Blood Transfusion↗