Organ Procurement and Allocation
Complications and Implications
Survival
100

Which organ is most often transplanted? Which organ is least often transplanted?

Kidney is the most often transplanted 

Intestines are least often transplanted 

100

Why would it be stressful to be a candidate for a transplant? 

Recipient could die waiting, someone else has to die for them to live

100

What transplant has the highest survival rate? What transplant as the lowest survival rate?

Kidney- 97% 1 year survival, 86% 5 year survival 


Intestines- 82% 1 year survival, 59% 5 year survival 

200

Describe the organ procurement and distribution system. Which organizations keep track of transplant candidates in the U.S? 

UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) keeps a national waiting list

There are 11 regions in the US and each area has an organ procurement organization (OPO)

200

What biopsychosocial issues affect organ recipients?

Anxiety, legal/ethical considerations

Pre transplant: declining status, uncertainty, medical expenses, waiting period

Post-transplant: long recovery, potential rejection, lifelong changes, post-op complications, side effects of meds 

300

What happens for a donor to be able to donate their organs? What are some qualifications they have to meet?

Brain death (not coma)

No evidence of cancer or sepsis (Hep B or C)

Body weight limits

Donor organ testing 

300

Explain the complications that can occur after organ transplant.

Ischemic reperfusion injury, incompatibility, acute and chronic rejection, immunosuppression 

400

How is an organ recipient matched with a donor?

Patient is listed at the transplant center (after eval)

Classified by UNOS: (blood type, body weight, medical urgency, age, time on waiting list, co-morbidities, chance of survival)

Medical compatibility of donor and recipient, preference given to people at top of list 

400

Why does immunosuppression lead to complications?

Immunosuppression is the leading cause of death in transplant recipients 

- infection due to immunosuppression

- graft rejection (immunologic)

500

What are the different viability times for different organs? 

Heart- up to 6 hours

Lung- up to 8 hours

Liver- up to 12 hours 

Intestines- up to 16 hours 

Pancreas- up to 18 hours 

Kidney- up to 36 hours 


500

Explain the importance of physical activity for transplant candidates (pre transplant) and transplant recipients. 

Pre transplant need for exercise: these people are deconditioned from failing organ, decreased exercise tolerance, DOE, fatigue

Post transplant need for exercise: recipients can progressively return to "normal" activity level, monitor vitals, effects of denervation, med effect, return to work, safely participate in sports and exercise 

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