Publications by authors named "Molly Howsare"

Background: Potential organ donors often have suffered anoxic and/or traumatic brain injury during which they may have experienced aspiration of gastric material (AGM). Evaluation of such donors typically includes a screening bronchoscopic examination during which determinations of aspiration are made. The efficacy of this visual screening and its relationship to post-transplant allograft function are unknown.

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Background: Advanced age is considered a risk factor for lung transplantation (LTX). We sought to evaluate the long-term outcomes of LTX in the septuagenarian.

Methods: LTX recipients in the UNOS transplant registry (May 1, 2005-June 12, 2020) were stratified into 18-59, 60-69, and > = 70 years of age.

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Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after lung transplantation (LT) and is associated with higher cost and mortality. We sought to evaluate the incidence of postoperative AKI, defined as AKI within 14 days of transplant, and identify associated perioperative factors.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective review of 153 lung transplant recipients.

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Patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) and advanced lung disease are often considered suboptimal candidates for lung transplantation (LTx) due to their underlying medical complexity and potential surgical risk. There is substantial variability across LTx centers regarding the evaluation and listing of these patients. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation-supported consensus document on lung transplantation in patients with CTD standardization aims to clarify definitions of each disease state included under the term CTD, to describe the extrapulmonary manifestations of each disease requiring consideration before transplantation, and to outline the absolute contraindications to transplantation allowing risk stratification during the evaluation and selection of candidates for LTx.

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COVID-19, the clinical syndrome caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, continues to rapidly spread, leading to significant stressors on global healthcare infrastructure. The manifestations of COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients are only beginning to be understood with cases reported to date in transplant recipients on chronic immunosuppression. Herein, we report the first case of COVID-19 in a lung transplant recipient in the immediate posttransplant period, and we describe the epidemiologic challenges in identifying the source of infection in this unique situation.

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Purpose Of Review: Over the last two decades advances in vascularized composite allotransplantation have achieved clinically significant milestones. This review provides a synopsis for immunosuppressive maintenance therapy for VCA and discusses the nuances surrounding the determination of the right amount of immunosuppression in vascularized composite allotransplantation.

Recent Findings: Functional results after vascularized composite allotransplantation remain highly encouraging as are the immunologic outcomes, however, challenges persist.

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The decision making in patients with an atrial septal defect (ASD) in setting of pulmonary hypertension is complex. In the era of pulmonary arterial vasodilator therapy, every patient should undergo evaluation by pulmonary hypertension experts especially if defect closure is being considered. Defect closure in the inappropriate group can lead to poor outcomes.

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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Molly Howsare"

  • - Molly Howsare's research primarily focuses on lung transplantation, exploring the efficacy of screening methods and evaluating long-term outcomes in various patient populations, including the elderly and those with complex medical conditions.
  • - Recent studies have investigated critical aspects such as the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury in lung transplant recipients and the implications of aspiration during donor screening on allograft function.
  • - Howsare has also contributed to consensus guidelines aimed at optimizing lung transplantation protocols for patients with connective tissue diseases, highlighting the need for careful evaluation and risk stratification in this unique group.