ORGAN TRANSPLANT

Overview & Facts

Organ transplantation is frequently the main treatment for end stage organ failure, for example, in liver and heart failure. Despite the fact that end stage kidney disease can be treated with dialysis, kidney transplantation is commonly acknowledged as the best treatment both for personal satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. Kidney transplantation is one of the most common forms of transplantation nowadays.

The acquirement of organs for transplantation includes the removal of organs from the dead body of a person. This removal must follow legal procedures, including a death consent.

Types & Symptoms

TYPES

Types of organ transplants may include the following:

Heart transplant
Lung transplant
Liver transplant
Pancreas transplant
Cornea transplant
Trachea transplant
Kidney transplant
Skin transplant
Vascular tissues transplant

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Before doing a transplant, the doctor may request for the following laboratory tests:

Blood and Urine Testing
EKG and Chest X-Ray
Cardiopulmonary Stress Test
Echocardiogram
Radionuclide Angiographyor MUGA Scan
Heart Catheterization
Carotid Doppler Studies
Non-Invasive Flow Study
Abdominal Ultrasound
Pulmonary Function Testing

TREATMENT

After the transplant, post-transplant medicines may be given to decrease the possibilities of organ rejection.

There are usually two types of immunosuppressants: induction drugs which are powerful anti-rejection medicines that are used at the time of transplant, and maintenance medicines which are used long-term.

There are usually four classes of maintenance drugs:

Calcineurin Inhibitors, such as Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine
Antiproliferative agents, such as Mycophenolate Mofetil, Mycophenolate Sodium and Azathioprine
mTOR inhibitor, such as Sirolimus
Steroids, such as Prednisone

ORGAN TRANSPLANT

Overview & Facts

Types & Symptoms

Diagnosis & Medications

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