2007/10/07

Thymoglobulin Induction Protects Liver Allografts From Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury




The Department of Surgery of the University of Illinois, published a study in August 2005 trying to asses the ability of TG to protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury in liver transplant recipients.

Twenty two cadaveric liver transplant recipients were randomized to receive either TG (1,5 mg/kg/dose) during the anhepatic period and QOD x 2 doses, or no TG. Maintenance immunosupression consisted of Tacrolimus (or Cyclosporine) and steroids in both groups. Donor byopsies were taken during the organ procurement, cold storage, and 1 hour after re-vascularization.

Patient survival at 3 months was 100%. There was no incidence of PNF and no need for re-transplantation. The incidence of acute rejection was similar in both groups. Patients with TG had significanly decreases in alanine amino transferase and total bilirubin.

The group concluded that TG allowed for more compromised liver grafts to be transplanted with less clinical evidence or ischemia/reperfusion injury and improved function. You can read the article here...

Clin Transplant 2005: 19: 507-511

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