Publications by authors named "Katsanos G"
Detailed characterization of B cells in dialysis patients who are candidates for kidney transplant is still lacking, with little information on how dialysis duration and modality impact B cell subsets. Cluster analysis of flow cytometry determined the frequencies and absolute numbers of B-cell subsets and divided the cohort of 78 candidates into two distinct clusters, one with shorter and one with longer dialysis duration. The immune profiles of the clusters differed depending on whether frequencies or absolute counts were considered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedian arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) poses a rare challenge in diagnosis and management. We present a case of MALS in a 50-year-old male with recurrent epigastric pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Diagnostic imaging revealed celiac artery stenosis and gastroduodenal artery collateral dilatation.
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- - The study aimed to assess changes in immune cell counts in kidney transplant recipients over a year and how these changes relate to various clinical factors.
- - Using flow cytometry on 112 patients, researchers found most T cell subsets increase post-transplant, with variations influenced by recipient age, donor type, and dialysis method.
- - Key findings indicate that younger recipients and better graft function lead to higher T cell counts, while living donor kidneys and certain dialysis types positively affect immune recovery.
Article Synopsis
- The annual number of solid organ transplants is increasing, with kidneys, livers, and hearts being the most common, and outcomes are improving, leading to a higher likelihood that surgeons will manage transplant patients with acute abdominal issues.
- Complications in immunocompromised transplant patients can arise from both graft-related and non-graft-related problems, emphasizing the need for careful perioperative management, including immunosuppression regulation and cardiovascular evaluations.
- Atypical clinical presentations can delay diagnoses, increasing risks of morbidity and mortality, making early imaging, like multidetector CT scans, crucial for effective management in these patients.
Article Synopsis
- B and T regulatory cells (Bregs and Tregs) play a crucial role in kidney transplantation, and this study aims to track their changes in frequency and numbers before and after transplant.
- Researchers used flow cytometry to analyze cells from 50 kidney recipients without rejection, assessing renal function through estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
- Findings indicate that at six months post-transplant, Tregs, tBregs, and plasmablasts decreased in frequency, whereas mBregs remained stable; notably, better graft function correlates positively with tBregs and plasmablasts, especially when eGFR is above 60.
This review aims to present the developments occurring in the field of artificial organs and particularly focuses on the presentation of developments in artificial kidneys. The challenges for biomedical engineering involved in overcoming the potential difficulties are showcased, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in this marriage of medicine and technology. In this review, modern artificial kidneys and the research efforts trying to provide and promise artificial kidneys are presented.
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- Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion syndrome causes complications after surgeries like liver transplants and major resections, impacting not just the liver but also other body systems, prompting the need for better treatments.
- Treprostinil, a synthetic form of prostaglandin I2, has shown promising results in reducing injury during liver transplantation and is already approved for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- It helps improve liver and kidney function while reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting it could be an effective therapy to minimize damage from ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected global public health and the socioeconomic status of many countries, particularly impacting liver transplantation (LT) practices due to heightened risks for patients with liver disease.
- Studies indicate that LT procedures were restricted during the pandemic, with guidelines recommending prioritization of emergency cases to avoid severe COVID-19 complications among these vulnerable patients.
- This review highlights the evolving treatment guidelines for LT candidates and recipients during the pandemic, along with data from a specific transplantation center regarding COVID-19 cases in LT patients.
Hemangiomas are the most common noncystic benign hepatic tumors and are usually incidentally discovered during routine radiological examinations. The diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas with a typical presentation is generally easy with plain and cross-sectional imaging; however, it can be complicated when hemangiomas undergo histological changes such as fibrosis. Sclerosed hepatic hemangioma (SHH) is the extreme presentation of this fibrotic process.
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- Liver transplantation is crucial for patients with end-stage liver disease, and prioritization for surgery is mainly based on the MELD score, which predicts short-term mortality but overlooks factors like sarcopenia and frailty.
- A study at Aristotle University focused on how an active lifestyle might influence physical frailty among liver transplant candidates by assessing their activity levels, functional capacity, and frailty.
- Results indicated that physically active candidates had significantly better oxygen uptake and functional capacity compared to sedentary candidates, highlighting the potential benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle for those awaiting transplant.
Article Synopsis
- Liver transplantation can lead to chest complications due to the liver's proximity to the diaphragm and the effects of chronic liver disease on lung function.
- The review focuses on identifying chest complications during and after liver transplantation that may require invasive procedures or surgical interventions.
- A collaborative approach among abdominal surgeons, ICU physicians, and thoracic surgeons is essential for early recognition and treatment of these complications.
Article Synopsis
- Liver transplantation is a crucial treatment for severe liver disease, but there's a significant shortage of suitable grafts, leading to the exploration of alternative strategies like living donor and split liver transplants.
- The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of LIDAR 3D photography in accurately predicting liver graft volume and mass using seven grafts from deceased donors.
- Results showed a high accuracy of 97.88% and a strong correlation in measurements with only a mean weight error of 17.03 grams, suggesting LIDAR could be a practical solution for evaluating liver grafts, although more research is needed.
Article Synopsis
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) has transformed surgical practices and is gaining acceptance in various specialties, particularly in general surgery and potentially in liver transplantation (LT).
- A systematic review of studies on ERAS in orthotopic LT showed significant reductions in hospital stays without adverse effects on readmission rates.
- The findings suggest that ERAS is a safe and effective approach for enhancing recovery in selected LT patients, supporting its future use in this complex surgical field.
Article Synopsis
- TAF was found to be just as effective as TDF in suppressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) but had less impact on kidney health.
- This study compared post-liver transplant patients who switched from TDF to TAF due to low kidney function against those who remained on TDF, revealing no significant differences in renal function over a year.
- While no adverse effects from TAF were reported, and it showed a slight numerical improvement in kidney function, the overall conclusion was that switching to TAF did not significantly help kidney health for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) after one year.
Article Synopsis
- Patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI can experience distal microvascular embolization due to thrombotic material.
- A study of 20 cases showed that those treated with a two-step procedure and tirofiban infusion had different rates of embolization compared to those receiving immediate stent implantation.
- While embolization was more frequent in the immediate stent group, outcomes were similar overall, suggesting that a two-staged approach may be beneficial for certain patients with high thrombus levels.
Introduction: Despite great improvements in the short-term patient and kidney graft survival, the long-term morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients still remains a significant problem. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of both donor and transplant recipient factors, as well as renal function indices on the very long-term (>25 years) kidney allograft survival.
Material And Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 41 kidney transplant recipients (KTR), group A: follow-up = 25 years, 20 KTR, 10 male, mean age (mean [M] ± standard deviation [SD]): 34.
Aims: Variations of the anatomy of donor hepatic arteries increase the number of arterial anastomoses during liver transplantation and, possibly, the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). In this study, we describe the arterial anatomic variations in liver grafts procured and transplanted by a single center in Greece, the techniques of arterial anastomosis, and their effect on the incidence of early HAT.
Materials And Methods: From January 2013 to December 2017, the arterial anatomy of 116 grafts procured for liver transplantation were recorded, as well as the technique of arterial anastomosis and the incidence of early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT <30 days).
Background/purpose: Preoperative selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) may improve the results of partial hepatectomy (PH) or radiofrequency destruction (RF) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this combined approach.
Methods: Patients with cirrhosis and HCC selected for PH or RF were prospectively included and systematically proposed for preoperative SIRT.
Background: Reports show that selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) may downsize inoperable liver tumors to resection or transplantation, or enable a bridge-to-transplant. A small-cohort study found that long-term survival in patients undergoing resection following SIRT appears possible but no robust studies on postsurgical safety outcomes exist. The Post-SIR-Spheres Surgery Study was an international, multicenter, retrospective study to assess safety outcomes of liver resection or transplantation following SIRT with yttrium-90 (Y-90) resin microspheres (SIR-Spheres; Sirtex).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGastric bypass for morbid obesity in a patient with situs inversus totalis.
Acta Chir Belg
November 2015
The aim of this case report is to outline the challenge and the feasibility of laparoscopic gastric bypass in a patient with situs inversus totalis. Situs inversus totalis does not seem to be a contraindication for laparoscopic surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity in a Patient with Situs Inversus Totalis.
Acta Chir Belg
January 2015
The aim of this case report is to outline the challenge and the feasibility of laparoscopic gastric bypass in a patient with situs inversus totalis. Situs inversus totalis does not seem to be a contraindication for laparoscopic surgery.
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- - The study analyzed the outcomes of 70 living liver donors in France, focusing on the laparoscopic technique for left lateral sectionectomy, which has been used since 2002.
- - Out of the donors, 94% underwent the procedure laparoscopically, with a complication rate of 24.2%, but no fatalities were reported.
- - The one-year and five-year survival rates for pediatric liver transplant recipients were 95% and 84%, respectively, indicating the procedure's safety and effectiveness.
Introduction: Optimising the management of hospitalised patients is a major concern. In colorectal surgery, the concept of enhanced recovery has been popularised by means of "fast-track" protocols, aiming at patient's discharge on the second postoperative day. Nevertheless, a strict fast-track protocol has several limitations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF[Multidisciplinary management of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients].
Rev Med Brux
September 2012
The treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients is challenging: the incidence is increasing, the cirrhosis dramatically limits the tolerance to treatment possibilities, there are many therapeutic modalities but resources are limited, namely in the context of organ shortage for transplantation. Liver transplantation (LT) is the optimal treatment as it combines the largest tumor resection possible and the correction of the underlying liver disease. Due to organ shortage however, LT is reserved for early-stages HCC.
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