Current practice of heart donor evaluation in Germany: multivariable risk factor analysis confirms practicability of guidelines.

Background. Organ shortage has liberalised the acceptance criteria of grafts for heart transplantation, but which donor characteristics ultimately influence the decision to perform transplantation? For the first time this was evaluated using real-time donor data from the German organ procurement organization (DSO). Observed associations are discussed with regard to international recommendations and guidelines.

Liver resection using heat coagulative necrosis: indications and limits of a new method.

Background: A new approach towards achieving bloodless liver resection is the use of heat coagulative necrosis. The latest stage of this technique is a four-probe device (Habib Sealer), which we used for a variety of resections to find the best indications for the method.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2006 we performed 28 liver resections in 20 consecutive patients.

Split-liver transplantation in the high-MELD adult patient: are we being too cautious?

The fear that patients with high-mathematical model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score may not be suitable candidates for segmental grafts because of their need for greater liver mass has continued to push the transplant community toward the use of whole LT (WLT) in preference to split LT (SLT). In order to define the outcome of segmental liver transplantation in a better manner in high-MELD patients (score > or =26), we queried the UNOS registry for graft and patient survival results according to MELD score in adult patients receiving WLT and SLT in the United States from the inception of MELD allocation (February 27, 2002) through March 9, 2007. A total of 316 adult patients received a SLT as compared with 20 778 WLTs.