Transplantation

NHS blood and transplant donor echocardiography standard to improve organ utilisation in heart transplantation (2025)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Akhtar W; Peck M; *Miller A; Billyard T; Goedvolk C; Ryan M; Soliman Aboumarie H; Gil FR; Berman M; Rubino A

Citation:

The Journal of the Intensive Care Society. 17511437251394267, 2025 Nov 15.

Abstract:

Focused echocardiography plays a vital role in assessing donor hearts and improving donor utilisation in the United Kingdom. A NHS Blood & Transplant working group was established and, through a review of the current evidence and modified Delphi approach, developed guidance for a minimum dataset for image acquisition in donor heart assessment. This is in intended as a pragmatic optional supplementation to current focused echocardiography protocols. We present a donor echocardiography proforma with accompanying educational materials for use in the United Kingdom.

DOI: 10.1177/17511437251394267

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Lung Ultrasound for Diagnosis of Primary Graft Dysfunction in Lung Transplantation Recipients (2024)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
O'Brien E.; Curry S.; Rubino A.; Barker A.; *Miller A.; Parmar J.

Citation:
Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. Conference: ISHLT 44th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions Prague Congress Centre. Prague Czechia. 43(4 Supplement) (pp S345), 2024. Date of Publication: April 2024.

Abstract:
Purpose: To determine if lung aeration scores calculated using LUS correlate with the identification and grading of PGD in lung transplantation recipients identified on bedside chest radiography (CXR) and PaO2/FiO2 as the reference standard. Method(s): This is a two-year, single-centre, prospective observational study investigating lung transplantation patients admitted post-operatively to Critical Care at Royal Papworth Hospital (RPH). LUS assessments to examine 12-lung regions were conducted at specified timepoints and scored retrospectively. Differences between LUS aeration scores for PGD and non-PGD were tested for and correlation of LUS score and PGD grading was assessed. Result(s): To date, data has been collected from 29 consecutive adult patients in 12 months. A total of 816 lung ultrasound clips have been collected for analysis. The mean aeration scores in PGD patients was higher than non-PGD (t(42) = 4.58, p < 0.001). PGD severity grading and LUS score shows a moderate positive linear association r(42) =.67, p < 0.01. Conclusion(s): This interim data analysis demonstrates exciting potential of LUS as an imaging modality in this cohort for PGD. This study is set to continue for a further 12 months, to allow for a larger sample size and further analysis of the utilisation of LUS in this cohort.