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ABSTRACT: Background
Heart transplantation is limited by a severe donor organ shortage. Potential donors with brain death (BD) and left ventricular dysfunction due to neurogenic stunning are currently excluded from donation--although such abnormalities can be reversible with aggressive treatment including Hormonal Treatment (HT) and deferred organ retrieval.Aim
To assess the recovery of left ventricular dysfunction in potential brain-dead donors with hemodynamic instability treated by aggressive treatment and HT.Methods
In a single-center, observational study design, we evaluated 15 consecutive brain-dead potential donors (DBD) (8 males, age?=?48?±?15?years) with hemodynamic instability. All underwent standard hemodynamic monitoring and transthoracic 2-dimensional echo (2-DE) with assessment of Ejection Fraction (EF). Measurements were obtained before BD and after BD within 6?h, at 24?h and within 48?h. HT (with insulin, methylprednisolone, vasopressin and T3) was started as soon as possible to treat hemodynamic instability and avoid administration of norepinephrine (NE). Eligible potential heart donors underwent coronary angiography.Results
After HT, we observed a normalization of hemodynamic conditions with improvement of mean arterial pressure (pre?=?68?±?8?mmHg vs post?=?83?±?13?mmHg, p?ConclusionIn BD donors, intensive treatment including HT is associated with improvement of regional and global LV function and reverse remodeling detectable by transthoracic 2DE. Donor hearts with recovered LV function may be eligible for uneventful heart transplant. The wait (in brain death), treat (with HT) and see (with 2D echo) strategy can help rescue organs suitable for heart donation.
SUBMITTER: Casartelli M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3439356 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Casartelli Marilena M Bombardini Tonino T Simion Davide D Gaspari Maria Grazia MG Procaccio Francesco F
Cardiovascular ultrasound 20120621
<h4>Background</h4>Heart transplantation is limited by a severe donor organ shortage. Potential donors with brain death (BD) and left ventricular dysfunction due to neurogenic stunning are currently excluded from donation--although such abnormalities can be reversible with aggressive treatment including Hormonal Treatment (HT) and deferred organ retrieval.<h4>Aim</h4>To assess the recovery of left ventricular dysfunction in potential brain-dead donors with hemodynamic instability treated by aggr ...[more]