The following entries contain information on topics that have been brought up during discussions related to organ disease and treatments.

Index

Topic Alternate Name
ACR ↓ Acute Cellular Rejection
Acyclovir ↓ Zovirax
AFP ↓ Alpha-Fetoprotein
AIH ↓ Autoimmune hepatitis
Albumin ↓  
ALP ↓ Alkaline phosphatase
ALT ↓ Alanine aminotransferase
Ammonia Level ↓  
Angiogram ↓  
Angioplasty ↓  
Ascites ↓  
AST ↓ Aspartate aminotransferase
Asterixis ↓  
Atrophy ↓  
Bausch PAP ↓ Patient Assistance Program
Bilirubin ↓  
BK Virus ↓ ‘BK’ are initials
BMP ↓ basic metabolic panel
BUN Test ↓ Blood-urea-nitrogen
Camino Hospital IOP ↓ Intensive OutPatient
Cirrhosis ↓  
CMV ↓ [Human] CytoMegaloVirus
Compensated Cirrhosis ↓  
Corewell Health ↓  
CostPlus ↓  
CPMC ↓ California Pacific Medical Center
Creatinine ↓  
Creatinine Test ↓  
CTA ↓ Computed Tomography Angiogram
CYP3A4 inhibitors ↓  
Deceased Organ Donation ↓  
Deceased-Donor Liver Size ↓  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ↓  
Dialysis ↓  
Diverticulitis ↓  
Donor Info ↓  
Drug Regimen ↓  
DSA ↓ Donor Service Area
Duncan Mills ↓  
Dupuytren’s contracture ↓  
DXA scan ↓ Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
Dysphagia ↓  
Edema ↓ Oedema
El Camino Car ↓  
Encephalitis ↓  
Encephalopathy ↓  
Erica Storm ↓  
ESLD ↓ End-Stage Liver Disease
Esophageal Varices ↓  
ESWL ↓ Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Everolimus ↓ Afinitor, Zortress
Excess Protein ↓  
FIB-4 ↓ Fibrosis-4
Fibroscan ↓  
Filgrastim ↓ Neupogen, Nivestym, Zarxio
Fine-Needle Aspiration ↓ FNA
Fistula ↓  
Gabapentin ↓ Neurontin
Gallbladder ↓  
Gallbladder Cancer ↓  
GFR and Aging ↓ Glomerular Filtration Rate
GGT ↓ gamma-glutamyl transferase
Gougol ↓  
Gynecomastia ↓  
HCC GALAD Model ↓ Hepatocellular Carcinoma • Gender, Age, …
HE ↓ Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hemochromatosis ↓  
Hemodialysis ↓  
Hepatitis ↓  
HIDA Scan ↓ Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid
HLA ↓ Human Leukocyte Antigen
HPMV ↓ Human Metapneumovirus
Hyper ↓  
Hyperbilirubinemia ↓  
Hypo ↓  
Hypoalbuminemia ↓  
Hypomagnesium ↓  
Hyponatremia ↓  
Immunosuppressant ↓  
Immunosuppression ↓  
INR ↓ International Normalized Ratio
IOP ↓ Intense Outpatient Program
Itching ↓  
J-Tube ↓ Jejunal Tube
Jaundice ↓  
Ketorolac ↓ Toradol
Kidney Biopsy ↓  
Kt/V ↓  
Lactulose ↓ Kristalose, Enulose
Lactulose vs. Miralax ↓  
Liver Circle ↓  
Liver Function Tests ↓  
Liver In A Box ↓  
Liver Pain ↓  
LiverSpot.org ↓  
Liver Spots ↓  
Living Donor Liver Transplant ↓  
LOLA ↓ L‐ornithine‐L‐aspartate
Medical Marijuana ↓  
MELD ↓ Model for end-stage liver disease
MELD 3 ↓  
MELD Exception Score ↓  
MRE ↓ Magnetic resonance elastography
MRI ↓ Magnetic resonance imaging
Multiple Listing ↓  
Mycophenolate Mofetil ↓ CellCept, Myfortic
Naltrexone ↓ Vivitrol, ReVia
NASH ↓ Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Neuropathy ↓  
Neutropenia ↓  
Nurse Treats ↓  
OPTN ↓ Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network
Osmolite ↓  
Oxycodone ↓ OxyContin, Percocet
Paracentesis ↓  
PCNL ↓ Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Persistent Ascites ↓  
PET ↓ Positron emission tomography
PEth ↓ Phosphatidylethanol
Pink Cloud ↓  
Pontine Stroke ↓ Pontine Infarction
Post-Transplant Relapse ↓  
POG ↓ Panel of Gods
Prednisone ↓  
Printed Liver ↓  
PT ↓ Prothrombin Time
PTPVS ↓ Percutaneous portal venoplasty and stenting
Punctate Infarct ↓ Punctate Stroke
Recompensated ↓  
Recteq ↓  
Reddit for Transplant Support Study ↓  
Retacrit ↓ Epoetin Alfa-epbx
Safety net ↓  
Scar Tissue ↓  
Skin Cancer Risk ↓  
Skin Changes ↓  
SRTR ↓ Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients
Stanford KPD ↓ Kidney Paired Donation
Steatotic Liver Disease ↓ MASLD, MASH, NAFLD, SLD, Fatty Liver Disease
St. Mary’s Reno ↓  
TACE ↓ Transarterial chemoembolization
Tacrolimus ↓ Prograf, Astagraf, Envarsus
Tacrolimus Skin Cancer ↓  
Tacrolimus vs. CellCept ↓  
Tacrolimus-induced Ascites ↓  
Tattoos ↓  
Thoracentesis ↓  
Tinnitus ↓  
TIPS ↓ Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Topical Tacrolimus ↓  
Tramadol ↓ ConZip, Qdolo, Ultram
Transplant Age ↓  
Transplant Blood Type Compatibility ↓  
Transplant Games ↓  
Transplant Gender Correlations ↓  
Transplant Survival Benefit ↓  
Tumeric ↓  
uACR ↓ Urine Albumine Creatinine Ratio
Umbilical Hernia ↓  
UNOS ↓ United Network for Organ Sharing
UNOS Regions ↓  
URS ↓ Ureteroscopy
Ursodiol ↓ Actigall, Reltone, Urso
Valcyte ↓ Valganciclovir
Vivitrol ↓ Naltrexone
XIAFLEX ↓ Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum
Xifaxan ↓ Rifaximin

Entries

ACR

Acute cellular rejection

«While antibody mediated hyper-acute vasculitic rejection is rare in liver transplant recipients, acute and chronic rejection have clinical significance. The liver allograft behaves differently to other solid organ transplants as acute rejection generally does not impair graft survival and chronic rejection (CR) is uncommon. The incidence of acute and chronic rejection has declined in current era due to improved immunosuppressive regimens. Acute rejection generally improves with steroid boluses and steroid resistant rejection is uncommon. CR may improve with escalation of immunosuppression or may result in irreversible loss of graft function leading to retransplantation or death. The current review discusses diagnosis and management of acute and chronic liver allograft rejection» — [1]

«High dose corticosteroids are standard of care for ACR and doses vary at different centers. Usually 500–1000 mg pulse of methylprednisolone is given for 1–3 days followed by taper» — [1]

Acyclovir

«Acyclovir is used to treat viral infections like chickenpox, herpes zoster (shingles) and genital herpes (a sexually transmitted disease). Acyclovir is in a class of medications called antivirals. It works by stopping the spread of the virus in the body.» — [2]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Acyclovir
  • Brand: Zovirax

Refs

AFP

«An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the level of AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) in a sample of your blood. It’s usually used to help diagnose certain types of cancer and to check how well treatment is working.» — [1]

AIH

«Autoimmune hepatitis 〚AIH〛 is a liver disease that happens when the body’s immune system attacks the liver. This can cause swelling, irritation and damage to the liver. The exact cause of autoimmune hepatitis is unclear, but genetic and environmental factors appear to interact over time to trigger the disease.» — [1]

Interestingly, the treatment for AIH is similar to the treatment for a post-transplant renal replacement procedure: in both cases the body needs to be prevented from attacking the liver but still function effectively against pathogens.

Albumin

«Albumin is responsible for transporting vitamins, enzymes and hormones throughout your body. Albumin makes up 50% of the proteins found in your plasma. When your albumin levels are low, hormones and other important compounds aren’t able to get to where they need to go in your body to fulfill their duties.» — [2]

ALP

«Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme that’s found throughout your body. ALP blood tests measure the level of ALP in your blood that comes from your liver and bones, and it’s one of the tests included in a comprehensive metabolic panel. High levels of ALP in your blood may indicate liver disease or certain bone disorders» — [1]

ALT

«An alanine aminotransferase test, also called an ALT test, is a blood test to check the health of your liver. ALT is a substance found mostly in the liver. If your liver is OK, the ALT level usually stays low. But when liver cells are irritated or damaged, ALT can leak into the bloodstream. So the ALT level can go up.» — [1]

Ammonia Level

«A blood ammonia level of 200 micromol /L is associated with coma and convulsions.» — [1]

Angiogram

«An angiogram is a diagnostic procedure that uses imaging to show your provider how your blood flows through your blood vessels or heart. An injected contrast material makes it easy to see where blood is moving and where blockages are. Your provider can use X-rays or other types of imaging for your angiogram.» — [1]

Angioplasty

Ascites

«Ascites is the accumulation of water in the abdomen, commonly due to leakage from the liver’s portal vein. Ascites adds significant body weight as the water accumulates, making movement more difficult. It also pushes on internal organs, and this compression can affect ability to breath, eat, and other body activities.» — [3]

AST

«An aspartate aminotransferase test, also called an AST test, is a blood test. It’s commonly used to check the health of the liver. AST is a substance found mostly in the liver. But it’s also in the heart, kidneys, muscles and other organs. When tissues in these organs are damaged, AST can leak into the blood. So the AST level goes up.» — [1]

Asterixis

«Asterixis is an inability to maintain sustained posture, commonly causing hands to flap when the wrist is extended. It is a symptom of hepatic encephalopathy and is why a doctor may ask a patient to hold out their hands.» — [3]

Atrophy

«Muscle loss during hospitalization is a major clinical concern, as it has been associated with reduced physical function, quality of life, and increased mortality. This review outlines the key causes of muscle wasting and highlights practical strategies to support muscle mass preservation during hospitalization.» — [1]

«National Institutes of Health. Critical care patients can lose up to 3% of leg muscle mass per day.» — [1]

«showing an average loss of about 1 kg (2.2 lbs) within 24 hours of acute care and up to 2.3 kg (5 lbs) by discharge,» — [2]

Bausch PAP

Bausch Health PAP Summary (2026) What it is: A program that provides Xifaxan at no cost for up to one year for eligible patients

Bilirubin

«Bilirubin is a yellowish substance made during your body’s normal process of breaking down old red blood cells. Bilirubin is found in bile, a fluid your liver makes that helps you digest food. If your liver is healthy, it will remove most of the bilirubin from your body.» — [1]

BK Virus

«The BK virus is a virus that most people get in childhood. Symptoms can feel like a common cold. Once you get a BK virus infection, the virus stays in your system for good but in an inactive state.

When you take anti-rejection medications due to an organ transplant, the BK Virus can become active to the point that it will damage kidneys.» — [3]

BMP

« A basic metabolic panel (BMP) is a blood test that measures eight different substances in your blood. The panel provides helpful information about your body’s chemical balance and metabolism (how your body transforms the food you eat into energy). » — [1]

BUN Test

Camino Hospital IOP

«The Scrivner Center for Mental Health & Addiction Services’ evening outpatient Addiction Services Program offers expert care and support for adults seeking help for a substance-use disorder or chemical dependency.» — [1]

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Cirrhosis

«Cirrhosis is a condition in which your liver is scarred and permanently damaged. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue and prevents your liver from working normally. As cirrhosis gets worse, your liver begins to fail.» — [5]

«Liver cirrhosis (LC) is defined as an advanced stage of liver fibrosis with distortion of the hepatic vasculature and architecture. Histologically, regenerative nodules with fibrous tissues form in response to chronic injury and lead to LC[4,5]. Consequently, disruption of the liver architecture due to liver fibrosis and/or cirrhosis causes hemodynamic instability and portal hypertension. The development of portal hypertension is a hallmark of LC.» — [6]

CMV

«A cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a condition caused by a common virus. The CMV virus stays in the body for life after infection.

〚…〛

For people who have weakened immune systems, CMV infection can be fatal. The risk is especially high for people who’ve had an organ, stem cell or bone marrow transplant.» — [1]

Alternate name

«Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), also called human herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5), is a species of virus in the genus Cytomegalovirus» — [3]

Compensated Cirrhosis

« Compensated liver cirrhosis (CLC) is defined as cirrhosis with one or more decompensating events, such as ascites, variceal haemorrhage, or hepatic encephalopathy. Patients with CLC are largely asymptomatic with preserved hepatic function.» — [1]

«Someone with compensated cirrhosis doesn’t necessarily look or feel sick. Their symptoms of the disease may be mild or nonexistent even though the liver is severely scarred.» — [2]

Corewell Health

3535 W. 13 Mile Road Suite 644, Royal Oak, MI 48073

CostPlus

« We started Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company because every American should have access to safe, affordable medicines. If you don’t have insurance or have a high deductible plan, you know that even the most basic medications can cost a fortune. Many people are spending crazy amounts of money each month just to stay healthy. No American should have to suffer—or worse—because they can’t afford basic prescription medications» — [1]

CPMC

California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC)

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Creatinine

«Creatinine is the waste byproduct of the muscles processing energy from creatine. Properly functioning kidneys remove creatinine from the blood supply.» — [2]

Creatinine Test

CTA

«A CT angiogram 〚Computed Tomography Angiogram〛 is a test that checks for blockages and other problems in your arteries. It’s a CT scan with the added benefit of contrast dye. A healthcare provider injects the dye into a vein in your arm. The dye flows through your blood vessels and makes them look bright on the CT images. This means it’s easier to see blood flow and spot issues.» — [1]

CYP3A4 inhibitors

«An increase in the serum concentration of tacrolimus can be caused by CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as grapefruit, pomelo, clementine, pomegranate, ginger and turmeric, 〚…〛» — [1]

Deceased Organ Donation

«Deceased organ donation occurs in two ways: Donation after Brain Death (DBD) and Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD, sometimes called cardiac death).» — [AI:Google ‘Deceased Organ Donation Brain Circulatory’]

Deceased-Donor Liver Size

Decompensated Cirrhosis

«Decompensated cirrhosis is defined as an acute deterioration in liver function in a patient with cirrhosis and is characterized by jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome or variceal haemorrhage.

Liver damage and severe scarring can progress to the point where the liver can no longer function properly and the patient will begin to experience more severe symptoms. Liver function will continue to decrease with the patient being more at risk for more severe complications like internal bleeding, liver cancer and liver failure and the need for liver transplant.» — [3]

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Dialysis

«Dialysis functions as a very effective but partial replacement for the processes of the kidneys. The main capability is the removal of waste products (e.g. see Creatinine above) from the blood supply. A secondary capability is the removal of water from the blood supply, and through that, from areas water is over-accumulating.» — [3]

Diverticulitis

«Diverticula are common, especially after age 50. They are usually found in the lower part of the colon. Most often, they don’t cause problems. The presence of diverticula is called diverticulosis. Diverticulosis isn’t a disease condition. When these pouches become inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. Inflammation is immune system activity that increases blood flow and fluids to a site in the body and delivers disease-fighting cells. Inflammation of diverticula can cause severe pain, fever, nausea and changes in your stool habits.» — [1]

Donor Info

Drug Regimen

«A drug regimen describes the specific instructions and schedule for administering one or more drugs to a patient. It includes factors such as drug dosage, frequency, route of administration, and duration of treatment.» — [2]

DSA

A Donor Service Area (DSA) is a smaller portion of a UNOS Region in which organs can be transported successfully.

Duncan Mills

Dupuytren’s contracture

DXA scan

«A DXA scan is an imaging test that measures the strength of your bones. It uses X-rays to measure your bone density. DXA is an abbreviation for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.» — [1]

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is an inability to swallow properly. Food and liquids orally taken can be aspirated (inhaled) and cause pneumonia and other illness.

Edema

Edema (or Oedema) is swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body’s tissues. Edema can affect any part of the body. But it’s more likely to show up in the legs and feet.

El Camino Car

Encephalitis

«Encephalitis is swelling of the brain. Frequently also used as an easier to pronounce version of encephalopathy by laymen, myself included.» — [4]

Encephalopathy

«Encephalopathy is disease affecting the brain, from the Greek ‘enkephalos’ (about the brain) and ‘pathos’ (disease). Depending on severity encephalopathy can show up as symptoms from headaches to coma. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is caused by liver problems and accumulated toxins in the blood.» — [3]

Erica Storm

ESLD

End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) is when the liver is damaged beyond repair due to chronic liver disease or acute liver failure.

Esophageal Varices

Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat and stomach. Esophageal varices most often happen in people with serious liver diseases.

ESWL

«Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 〚ESWL〛is a procedure to break up stones inside the urinary tract, bile ducts or pancreatic duct with a series of shock waves generated by a machine called a lithotripter.» — [1]

Everolimus

«Everolimus is used to treat advanced (late-stage) cancers or noncancerous tumors, such as kidney and breast cancer, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA, a brain tumor), renal angiomyolipoma (kidney tumor), and partial-onset seizures (epilepsy) with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas, stomach or bowels, and lungs. It is used for patients who have already received other medicines that did not work well or those who will not be treated with surgery.

Everolimus works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected, other unwanted effects will also occur. It belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastics (cancer medicines). » — [2]

«Efficacy and safety of everolimus with reduced tacrolimus» — [1]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Everolimus
  • Brand: Afinitor, Zortress

Refs

Excess Protein

FIB-4

Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Index for Liver Fibrosis. Noninvasive estimate of liver scarring in HCV and HBV patients, to assess need for biopsy.

«We use FIB-4 as an initial assessment. In chronic HCV, when combined with APRI, it has excellent negative predictive value for excluding advanced fibrosis. The positive predictive value is less clear. Those with FIB-4 >1.5 and/or APRI >0.5 often go on to liver elastography.» — [1]

Fibroscan

«FibroScan is a special ultrasound technology that measures liver stiffness (hardness) and fatty changes in your liver. These measurements help your healthcare provider learn more about your liver disease» — [1]

Filgrastim

«Filgrastim injection is used to treat neutropenia (low white blood cells) that is caused by cancer medicines. It is a synthetic (man-made) form of a substance that is naturally produced in your body called a colony stimulating factor. Filgrastim helps the bone marrow to make new white blood cells. » — [1]

«NIVESTYM (filgrastim-aafi) is a biosimilar to Neupogen (filgrastim) and part of the largest oncology biosimilars portfolio, brought to you by Pfizer» — [Unknown]

So it is a brand name related to filgrastim

Drug Names

  • Generic: Filgrastim
  • Brand: NIVESTYM

Refs

Fine-Needle Aspiration

«Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a procedure healthcare providers use to get a cell sample from a suspicious lump or an abnormal area of your body. It’s also called a fine-needle biopsy. FNA involves using a thin needle and a syringe to pull out cells, tissue and fluids.» — [1]

Fistula

«An Arteriovenous (AV) fistula is a direct connection between an artery and a vein. Normal blood flow goes from arteries through capillaries and then into veins. The fistula’s direct connection causes much more blood flow into a vein. Surgically creating a fistula in a chronic hemodialysis patient enables more effective and safer treatment compared to using a central venous catheter.» — [3]

Gabapentin

«Gabapentin works in the brain to prevent seizures and relieve pain for certain conditions in the nervous system. It can also be used for controlling the effects of neuropathy.» — [2]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Gabapentin
  • Brand: Neurontin

Refs

Gallbladder

« gallbladder attached to the donor liver will be detached to ensure that it does not cause problems with your new liver, and your gallbladder will also be removed. » — [1]

Gallbladder Cancer

Hilar/perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) [Sometimes incorrectly concidered gallbladder cancer] is recognized as a specific MELD exception condition, often receiving a score equal to the median MELD at transplant (MMaT) minus 3 points, subject to National Liver Review Board (NLRB) approval.

GFR and Aging

«This paper discusses the known effects of ageing on GFR 〚Glomerular Filtration Rate〛and the consequences of using a classification system for defining CKD that does not take into account the normal decline of GFR with ageing» — [1]

GGT

«A gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) test measures the amount of GGT in your blood GGT is an enzyme. Enzymes are proteins that speed up certain chemical reactions in your body. Thousands of enzymes play an important role in all of your body functions. The GGT enzyme is found throughout your body, but it is mainly found in your liver.» — [1]

Gougol

Professional Education

  • Fellowship: UCSF Dept of Gastroenterology (2023) CA
  • Fellowship: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Division of Gastroenterology (2022) PA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Transplant Hepatology (2024)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology (2023)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2019)
  • Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Internal Medicine (2019) PA
  • Medical Education: Tehran University of Medical Sciences (2011) Iran

Gynecomastia

«Gynecomastia (guy-nuh-koh-MAS-tee-uh) is an increase in the amount of breast gland tissue in boys or men. An imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone causes it. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly.» — [1]

HCC GALAD model

« The GALAD model has been demonstrated to have higher diagnostic accuracy for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) when compared to the use AFP, AFP-L3, and DCP markers alone or in combination. The performance of the GALAD score has also been reported to be superior to ultrasound for HCC detection» — [1]

HE

HE is short for Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Encephalopathy is disease affecting the brain, from the Greek ‘enkephalos’ (about the brain) and ‘pathos’ (disease). Depending on severity encephalopathy can show up as symptoms from headaches to coma. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is caused by liver problems and accumulated toxins in the blood.

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis (he-moe-kroe-muh-TOE-sis) causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat. Excess iron is stored in your organs, especially your liver, heart and pancreas. Too much iron can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.

Hemodialysis

«Hemodialysis is dialysis done by pulling blood from the body and running it through a dialyzer (filter) along with a dialysate (solution) to filter the blood of toxins.» — [2]

Hepatitis

«Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Usually the term is short for one of the five Viral Hepatitis strains: Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.»

HIDA Scan

«A hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan is an imaging procedure that shows how well your liver, bile ducts and gallbladder are functioning. It can help diagnose certain conditions, such as cholecystitis, biliary leak and biliary atresia.» — [1]

HLA

«HLA DSA (Human Leukocyte Antigen Donor-Specific Antibody) refers to antibodies in a transplant recipient’s bloodstream that specifically target and attack the unique HLA proteins of a donor. These are routinely monitored because they can trigger immune rejection of a transplanted organ or stem cells» — [AI:Google]

HPMV

Hyper

«Hyper-: Prefix meaning high, beyond, excessive, or above normal,» — [1]

Hyperbilirubinemia

«Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition in which there is a build up of bilirubin in the blood, causing yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin, called jaundice. 〚…〛» — [1]

Hypo

«Hypo-: Prefix meaning low, under, beneath, down, or below normal, » — [1]

Hypoalbuminemia

«Hypoalbuminemia, or low albumin levels in your blood, affects your body’s ability to manage body fluids. Albumin is a protein that keeps fluid inside your blood vessels. It also transports vitamins, enzymes and hormones throughout your body. Hypoalbuminemia happens when your body doesn’t produce enough albumin, or you lose unusually large amounts of it when you pee or poop. This condition is often a symptom of health issues like heart failure and kidney disease» — [1]

Hypomagnesium

« How is hypomagnesemia treated?

  • Treatment for hypomagnesemia depends on how mild or severe it is and the underlying cause.
  • If the hypomagnesemia is mild, your healthcare provider will likely recommend magnesium tablets taken by mouth.
  • If the hypomagnesemia is severe, you’ll likely be in a hospital and receive fluids and magnesium through an IV.

Your provider will also prescribe a treatment plan to manage the underlying cause. » — [2]

«Magnesium oxide, sodium bicarbonate, Sucralfate, or other antacids should not be taken within two hours of taking tacrolimus. For example, if your child takes tacrolimus at 8:00 a.m., magnesium oxide should not be given until 10:00 a.m. or later.» — [3]

«By consuming foods high in magnesium, such as green vegetables, fruit, whole grains, cereals, and legumes, one can meet the RDA for this mineral. In order of highest to lowest magnesium concentration, some foods include Trusted Source:» — [1]

Hyponatremia

«Hyponatremia (hi-poh-nay-tree-me-uh) is when the level of sodium in your blood is lower than normal.

Sodium is an important mineral that helps balance the amount of fluid (water) in your body. It also helps your nerves and muscles to work properly. When the sodium level in your blood is too low, extra water moves into your cells and makes them swell (get bigger). This can be dangerous, especially in the brain where there is not a lot of room to expand.» — [1]

«Hyponatremia is a condition that happens when the level of sodium in the blood is lower than the typical range. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that’s in and around your cells.

In hyponatremia, one or more factors cause the sodium in the body to be diluted. These factors can range from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water. When this happens, the body’s water levels rise, and cells begin to swell. This swelling can cause many health problems, from mild to life-threatening.» — [2]

Immunosuppressant

«Immunosuppressants are drugs or medicines that lower the body’s ability to reject a transplanted organ. Another term for these drugs is anti-rejection drugs.» — [5]

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Immunosuppression

INR

«An International Normalized Ratio (INR) test calculates how long it takes for blood to clot compared to a normal healthy person (with a value of ‘1’). Blood thinners and illness can cause blood to take several times longer than normal to clot.» — [3]

IOP

An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a hospital program that meets several times a week for several hours at a time. IOPs are supposed to be as effective as residential programs and can also function as a transition from an inpatient program to normal life surroundings.

Virtual IOP

Itching

«Itching is a common symptom from liver damage. Possible helpful treatments include: Cholestyramime Powder, Hydroxyzine, and Sarna lotion .» — [2]

J-Tube

A Jejunal Tube (J-Tube) is a one-meter tube extending from outside your nose to your duodenum (small intestine). It is used to deliver food and medicines to people who are incapable of orally consuming them.

Jaundice

«Jaundice is a yellow color of the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes. The yellow coloring comes from bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells. Jaundice can be a symptom of several health problems.»

Ketorolac

«Ketorolac is used to relieve moderately severe pain, usually pain that occurs after an operation or other painful procedure. It belongs to the group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).» — [1]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Ketorolac
  • Brand: Toradol

Refs

Kidney Biopsy

«A kidney biopsy may be done to:

  • Diagnose a kidney problem that can’t otherwise be identified
  • Help develop treatment plans based on the kidney’s condition
  • Determine how quickly kidney disease is progressing
  • Determine the extent of damage from kidney disease or another disease

» — [1]

Kt/V

The parameter Kt/V is a measurement of the efficacy of a dialysis session (hemo or peritoneal)

Lactulose

«Lactulose (sometimes called ‘The L-Word’) is a laxative with a secondary treatment for Hepatic Encephalopathy. Its chief mechanism of action is by decreasing the intestinal production and absorption of ammonia.» — [2]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Lactulose
  • Brand: Kristalose, Enulose

Refs

Lactulose vs. Miralax

«Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with liver failure and/or portal systemic shunting. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) electrolyte solution is a commonly used for catharsis of gut, which has been demonstrated to relieve HE in a number of randomized controlled trials. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of PEG with lactulose for current HE treatment» — [1]

LiverSpot.org

«Welcome! LiverSpot is a community for people with a diseased liver, kidney, heart, lung, or other organ (“OrganSpot”) who want to provide knowledge and support to each other.»

Liver Circle

«Imagine a world where a liver disease diagnosis isn’t a dead end, but a new beginning. Where the fear of a “transplant” is replaced by the power of knowledge and a supportive community.

This is the world The Liver Circle, Inc. (TLC) is building. We’re more than an organization; we’re a vital connection for patients, advocates, and medical professionals. We elevate the conversation around liver health and organ donation from the ordinary to the extraordinary, ensuring no one faces this journey alone.» — [1]

Liver Function Tests

«Liver function tests are blood tests used to help find the cause of your symptoms and monitor liver disease or damage. The tests measure the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood.

Some of these tests measure how well the liver is performing its regular functions of producing protein and clearing bilirubin, a blood waste product. Other liver function tests measure enzymes that liver cells release in response to damage or disease.» — [1]

  • Albumin and total protein
  • Bilirubin
  • Enzyme Tests
    • ALP — Alkaline phosphatase
    • ALT — Alanine transaminase
    • AST — Aspartate transaminase
  • GGT — Gamma-glutamyltransferase

Albumin and Bilirubin are also part of the MELD liver transplant prioritization score.

Refs

Liver In A Box

The transportation of a donated liver by placing it into a ‘box’ (machine) that provide ‘normothermic’ (standard temperature) perfusion.

Liver Pain

Liver Spots

«Liver spots are patches of darker skin. They vary in size from about a tenth of an inch (one-quarter centimeter) to half an inch (one centimeter) across. They often show up on skin areas that have sun exposure, such as your face, hands or arms.» — [1]

Living Donor Liver Transplant

«A living-donor liver transplant is a surgery in which a portion of the liver from a healthy living person is removed and placed into someone whose liver is no longer working properly.

The donor’s remaining liver regrows and returns to its normal size, volume and capacity within a couple of months after the surgery. At the same time, the transplanted liver portion grows and restores normal liver function in the recipient.» — [1]

LOLA

L‐ornithine‐L‐aspartate for hepatic encephalopathy

«Results: A total of 12 articles were ultimately included, involving 858 patients, with 433 in the treatment group and 425 in the control group. Meta-analysis results: In terms of the total effective rate (RR: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.22, 1.42), the result is statistically significant (Z = 7.15, P = 0.00001 < 0.05), and for AST, ALT, NH3, TBIL, P = 0.00001 < 0.05. The pooled (RR: 1.31 [95% CI = 1.22, 1.42]), which is statistically significant, LOLA and Lactulose is 31% more effective than Lactulose alone in the control group in treating HE.» — [2]

LOLA is not FDA approved for HE at all, although it wouldn’t really be possible to prevent oral administration using foreign dispensaries. It appears that the studies have been viewed as very weak and the usage of LOLA is always in addition to Lactulose (alone) or with Rifaximin. So it is unclear what the benefits are if you are on L+R (which is FDA approved).

Medical Marijuana

→

MELD

«The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score helps decide how urgently someone needs a liver transplant in the next three months. The score ranges from 6 to 40. A person with a higher score needs a liver transplant sooner than does a person with a lower score.» — [1]

The MELD score is really only relevant if a transplant is indicated, but used somewhat to produce an approximate sickness level for someone with Cirrhosis.

There are statistical correlations between level of liver illness (e.g. the MELD score) and the chance of survival for a period of time (E.g. « A MELD score above 30 indicates a 50% chance of dying in three months.» — [2] ).

«A MELD score of 25 indicates a high risk of mortality, with estimated 3-month mortality rates typically falling within the range of 19.6% to 45.5%. » — [6]

«Here are typical MELD scores and how often they’re recalculated:

  • 25 or higher — Every week.
  • 19 to 24 — Every 30 days.
  • 11 to 18 — Every three months.
  • 10 or less — Once a year. » — [7]

MELD 3

«The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, introduced in 2002, has since been refined. MELD 3.0, launched in 2023 in the United States, improves mortality prediction by incorporating sex and albumin. … » — [1]

MELD Exception Score

A MELD Exception Score is a modifier to the calculated MELD score. Some transplant candidates have a medical condition, such as cancer or rare forms of chronic liver disease, where MELD or PELD will not accurately predict their short-term transplant need. If so, they may qualify for an exception score — a separately assigned score to be used instead of their calculated MELD or PELD in matching the person for available organ offers. The goal of exception scores is to make access to transplant more equitable among patients with similar levels of medical urgency.

MRE

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a technology that combines MRI imaging with low-frequency vibrations to create a visual map (elastogram) that shows stiffness of body tissues.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of diagnostic test that can create detailed images of nearly every structure and organ inside the body. MRI uses magnets and radio waves to produce images on a computer.

Multiple Listing

Multiple listing involves registering at two or more transplant hospitals. In general, candidates listed at hospitals closest to the donor hospital will get more matching priority than other candidates who are in similar medical condition, but listed at transplant hospitals farther away.

Mycophenolate Mofetil

«Mycophenolate Mofetil is an immunosuppressant that prevents rejection of transplanted organs and augments Tacrolimus.» — [3]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Mycophenolate Mofetil
  • Brand: CellCept, Myfortic

Refs

Naltrexone

«Naltrexone is a prescription medication used to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) to reduce cravings and help control physiological dependence.» — [1]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Naltrexone
  • Brand: Vivitrol, ReVia

Refs

NASH

«Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which the liver builds up excessive fat deposits.» — [2]

Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy happens when the nerves that are located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) are damaged.

Neutropenia

«Neutropenia involves having lower-than-normal levels of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in your blood. It’s especially common among people receiving cancer treatments, like chemotherapy. Neutrophils help fight infections. If you have neutropenia, it’s important to take extra precautions to avoid germs that may make you sick.» — [2]

« Hand washing should be done: Before eating, drinking, and taking medicine 〚…〛 After contact with pets

You must avoid all of the following:

  • 〚…〛
  • Crowds
  • 〚…〛
  • Grooming pets or cleaning bird cages, litter boxes, and fish tanks Long periods of bed rest Hot and humid environments, such as saunas, greenhouses, and pools » — [1]

Nurse Treats

Possible treats that the medical team might like and appreciate from patients in gratitude for their service:

OPTN

«Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is a unique public-private partnership that links all professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system. Also crucial to the system are individuals who sign organ donor cards, people who comment on policy proposals and countless volunteers who support donation and transplantation, among many others.» — [1]

Osmolite

Oxycodone

«Oxycodone is used to relieve severe pain. Oxycodone is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.» — [1]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Oxycodone
  • Brand: OxyContin, Percocet

Refs

Paracentesis

«Paracentesis is the process of draining water from the abdominal cavity. A long needle is inserted into a pocket of water (commonly found through ultrasound) and the water drained into vacuum bottles. With severe ascites, several liters can be removed. Beyond the comfort from draining excess water, the fluid can be analyzed for infections or other causes.» — [3]

PCNL

«Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (per-kyoo-TAYN-ee-uhs NEF-roe-lih-THOT-uh-me) 〚PCNL〛 is a procedure used to remove kidney stones from the body when they can’t pass on their own.

“Percutaneous” means through the skin. The procedure creates a passageway from the skin on the back to the kidney. A surgeon uses special instruments passed through a tiny tube in your back to locate and remove stones from the kidney. » — [1]

Persistent Ascites

«Persistent ascites (PA) after liver transplantation (LT), commonly defined as ascites lasting more than 4 wk after LT, can be expected in up to 7% of patients. » — [1]

PET

PET (positron emission tomography) scans producse pictures of the inside of the body

«A PET scan uses a radioactive chemical called a radiotracer (or tracer) and a PET scan machine to produce images that help a doctor understand how tissues or organs are functioning. PET scans are most often used to:

  • find cancer or track its progress,
  • assess brain damage or disorders such as tumors, seizures, or cognitive issues,
  • evaluate damage to the heart following a heart attack, or
  • assess the state of coronary artery disease. » — [1]

Refs

→

PEth

«Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing is a reliable method to help create a picture of alcohol consumption.» — [2]

Pink Cloud

POG

The Panel-of-Gods (POG) or the Tansplant Review Board decides whether to accept a patient as a transplant recipient case. It is composed of doctors and additional staff that do a detailed evaluation of the patient along many axes.

Pontine Stroke

« A pontine stroke (infarction) happens when there’s a blood flow blockage to a part of your brainstem called the pons. It’s a type of ischemic stroke. The blockage may be sudden (acute) or develop over time (chronic).» — [1]

Post-Transplant Relapse

«The prevalence rate of alcohol relapse in liver transplant patients with ALD varies across studies. Reported post-transplant alcohol relapse rates in recipients with ALD range from 15% to 50% [5].» — [1]

Prednisone

«Corticosteroid medicines such as prednisolone and dexamethasone (commonly called steroids) 〚…〛 also causes the liver to release extra sugar into the blood stream. » — [3]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Prednisone
  • Brand: Deltasone

Refs

Printed Liver

Could 3D-printed livers make transplant lists a thing of the past?

PT

Prothrombin Time (PT) is a measure of blood coagulation.

PTPVS

« Technical success was achieved in all patients. No procedure-related complications occurred. Liver function was normalized gradually and the symptoms of PHT also improved following PTPVS. » — [1]

Punctate Infarct

«A punctate infarct is a very small, dot-like area of dead tissue in the brain caused by a localized lack of blood flow. These tiny lesions (often ≤ 5 mm) typically indicate cerebral small vessel disease and are frequently found incidentally on MRI scans» — [AI: Google ‘punctate infarct’]

«Background/Objective: Punctate infarcts (PI) 〚Punctate Strokes〛 are increasingly seen on DWI of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) due to small vessel disease (SVD). We aimed to determine their incidence and potential causes in a large ischemic stroke (IS) cohort that had thorough etiologic workup.» — [1]

Recompensated

«As highlighted previously, the term recompensated cirrhosis is only limited to aetiologies where a clear cause is identified and can be targeted. This limits the application of this term to aetiologies like viral cirrhosis and ALD. According to the present evidence, patients with NAFLD by definition cannot be categorized as recompensated despite fulfilling other criteria. This may limit the application of this term as NAFLD remains the most common form of liver disease and in the future may become the leading cause of cirrhosis and its complications worldwide. There is an evidence that sustained weight loss decreases hepatic steatosis and can cause reversal of fibrosis. Defining recompensation in the context of NAFLD may need modification of the criteria mentioned above in the future. However, the pertinent question in this aspect is whether or not a patient with NAFLD can ever be considered recompensated as data regarding recompensation in NAFLD does not exist unlike other aetiologies. Conceptualizing a model to define recompensation in NAFLD cirrhosis with the current backdrop of aetiological suppression would be challenging given the dynamics of metabolic risk factors once cirrhosis sets inpatients with NAFLD.» — [1]

«Adapting a concept of recompensation can have its own ethical issues, especially in countries where disease-specific scores are used to decide the timing of transplantation. Labelling a patient recompensated may lead to delisting from transplant list.» — [1]

Recteq

Reddit for Transplant Support Study

« Consulting r/Transplant: Assessment of Reddit Use and Sentiment in Solid Organ Transplantation»

« Solid organ transplants are life-changing experiences that impact recipients, donors, care partners, medical teams, communities, and popular media. Social media is an influential part of modern life and provides a platform for healthcare experiences. This study assessed perspectives on solid organ transplantation by exploring the transplant community’s utilization of the social media site Reddit.» — [1]

Retacrit

«This medication is used to treat anemia (low red blood cell count) in people with long-term serious kidney disease (chronic kidney failure), people receiving zidovudine to treat HIV, and people receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer (cancer that does not involve the bone marrow or blood cells). It may also be used in anemic patients to reduce the need for blood transfusions before certain planned surgeries that have a high risk of blood loss (usually given with an anticoagulant/”blood thinner” medication such as warfarin to lower the risk of serious blood clots).» — [2]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Epoetin Alfa-epbx
  • Brand: Retacrit

Refs

Safety Net

The website about the safety net program that was on UNOS was seriously messed up recently with an administrative change, but you can read about it here (if the archive works… can be slow) and some quotes are below

« What is a safety net policy?

A safety net policy is for candidates who may not meet eligibility criteria for a simultaneous organ transplant, or who were not listed for a multi-organ transplant. For candidates who need a heart or lung transplant and have some renal dysfunction, transplant programs may opt to proceed with a single organ transplant (in this case a heart or lung transplant) in order to allow the kidneys to recover. If the kidneys do not recover in a timely fashion, a candidate may be eligible to receive safety net priority for a kidney transplant. » — [1]

«How long will the candidate remain at the safety net priority?

  • When the transplant program reports the candidate meets the criteria, they will remain at this classification for 30 days from the date of the qualifying test or treatment.
  • If the transplant program reports another qualifying test or treatment, the candidate will remain at this classification for another 30 days from the date of the most recent test or treatment.
  • If the transplant program reports that the candidate meets the criteria for 90 consecutive days, then the candidate will remain at this classification until they are removed from the kidney waiting list. » — [1]

Scar Tissue

Scar tissue reaches approximately 50% of original skin strength at 6 weeks and up to 80% at 3 months, but it never regains the full elasticity or strength of uninjured skin. — [1]

Skin Cancer Risk

At least need yearly skin checks, although someone heard it needs to be four times per year.

Skin Changes

Cirrhosis can cause nutrient deficiencies that make skin more susceptible to cuts and tears. Especially ‘paper skin’ where whole swaths of skin come off are ‘disturbing’, especially when combined with poor blood clotting (see INR or PT) that can also accompany cirrhosis.

SRTR

«The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) supports the transplant community with analyses, in an effort to better patient results and experience. Through the evaluation of national data collected by the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) on transplant programs and organ procurement organizations…» — [1,2]

The SRTR website provides access to a very detailed group of reports and tools to review organ transplant data. This information can be used by patients, family members / caregivers, and living donors / potential living donors, as well as transplant professionals, industry professionals, government regulators, and others.

Stanford KPD

«StanfordKPD is a platform for kidney paired donation (KPD). It allows hospitals to store patient and donor information and find matches using an intelligent matching algorithm.» — [1]

Steatotic Liver Disease

«Steatotic liver disease (SLD) involves having excess fat in your liver. Metabolic conditions and heavy alcohol use are risk factors. Depending on the type of SLD you have, the fat buildup may not cause problems, or it may lead to liver damage. Often, you can prevent or even reverse SLD with medications and lifestyle changes» — [1]

«Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a liver condition that affects people with excess weight, obesity or other metabolic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. In MASLD, too much fat builds up in the liver.»

St. Mary’s Reno

TACE

«Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) places chemotherapy and synthetic materials called embolic agents into a blood vessel feeding a cancerous tumor to cut off the tumor’s blood supply and trap the chemotherapy within the tumor. It is most often used to treat liver cancer but may also be used in patients whose cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Chemoembolization may be used as a standalone treatment or in combination with surgery, ablation, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.» — [1]

«Y-90 therapy, also known as selective internal radiation therapy or SIRT, is a minimally invasive, image-guided approach treating malignant lesions in the liver. The procedure uses a catheter to deliver tiny radioactive beads into the blood vessels that lead directly to the tumor. This allows doctors to treat tumors that are not accessible using conventional surgery or radiation treatments. A Y-90 procedure typically takes about two hours, but requires an overnight stay for observation.» — [2]

Tacrolimus

«Tacrolimus is a very powerful immunosuppressant that prevents rejection of transplanted organs.» — [2]

«The average elimination half-life of tacrolimus is about 12 hours» — [3]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Tacrolimus
  • Brand: Prograf, Astagraf, Envarsus

Refs

Tacrolimus Skin Cancer

«Tacrolimus is a potent immunosuppressant used in liver transplants that significantly increases the risk of skin cancer—often by 10- to 30-fold—due to suppressed immune surveillance. Risk is linked to cumulative exposure, with higher doses in the first year increasing cancer likelihood. Regular dermatological monitoring is vital» — [1]

Tacrolimus vs. CellCept

«Tacrolimus (a calcineurin inhibitor) is generally more potent at preventing acute rejection, while CellCept is often better tolerated with fewer metabolic side effects» — [AI]

Tacrolimus-induced Ascites

Tattoos

«Getting a tattoo if you have a weakened immune system could put you at risk of complications, doctors have warned. The caution comes after a woman with cystic fibrosis and lung transplants developed thigh and knee pain after having body art inked on her leg.» — [1]

«Tattoos and piercings are common forms of expression that many individuals wish to get post-transplant, but there are mixed reviews on whether or not these are safe to receive post-transplant.» — [2]

Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is a procedure that a provider uses to drain extra fluid from around the lungs (pleural space) with a needle. It’s used to test the fluid for infection or other illnesses and to relieve chest pressure that makes it tough to breathe. Thoracentesis is a short, low-risk procedure done while you’re awake.

Tinnitus

«Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears.» — [1]

TIPS

«Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure to create new connections between two blood vessels in your liver. You may need this procedure if you have severe liver problems.» — [2]

«TIPS procedures typically take one to two hours. Your team will move you to a recovery room after the procedure. They’ll check on you as you wake up from anesthesia» — [1]

Topical Tacrolimus

Tramadol

«Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain, including pain after surgery. It is also used to treat pain severe enough to require opioid treatment and when other pain medicines did not work well enough or cannot be tolerated. The extended-release capsules or tablets are used for chronic ongoing pain.» — [1]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Tramadol
  • Brand: ConZip, Qdolo, Ultram

Refs

Transplant Age

«There is no strict, universal maximum age for a liver transplant, as candidacy is based on physiological, not chronological, age. » — AI Summary

Transplant Blood Type Compatibility

«Organ transplants in which the donor and recipient Rh factors are different are performed quite often. The Rh antigen does not function as a “transplantation antigen,” because it is only present on the surface of red blood cells and not on the parenchymal cells of the graft. Therefore, Rh-mismatched transplanted organs are not rejected more frequently than Rh-matched organs» — [1]

Transplant Games

Transplant Gender Correlations

  • Gender gap study: — [1]

Refs

Transplant Survival Benefit

«With 1 year of available post-transplant follow-up, MELD category 15–17 represented a transition point. Posttransplant mortality risk was more than three times higher than waiting list mortality for MELD scores 6–11 (hazard ratio = 3.64; 95% confidence interval = 2.23–5.95; p < 0.001). The hazard ratio was also greater than 1.0 among patients with MELD 12–14 (hazard ratio = 2.35; 95% confidence interval 1.48–3.76; p < 0.001). Conversely, significant transplant survival benefit was observed at MELD scores 18 and higher, and the magnitude of transplant benefit increased with increasing MELD score» — [1]

— [2]

«Typically, people with MELD scores of 15 or higher are more likely to live longer 〚about a year longer if MELD < 20〛 if they receive new livers. This is known as life expectancy» — [3]

Tumeric

uACR

Urine Albumine Creatinine Ratio (uACR) is a calculated value that deals with the sampling issue with a point-in-time urine tests, where the ‘Liters’ is highly-variable so the amounts of excretions within the urine in absolute terms are highly-variable. So instead uACR is a formula that calculates the excretion of Albumin given the excretion of Creatinine in any given sample of urine.

So if you have:

  • Urine Albumin ‘A’ in mg/dL
  • Urine Creatinine ‘C’ in g/dL
  • uACR is simply A/C in mg/g

«Albumin Creatinine Ratio = Albumin in mg/dL / Creatinine in g/dL» — [2]

Umbilical Hernia

UNOS

«United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) manages the transplant system for the United States.» — [2]

UNOS Regions

URS

«A ureteroscopy 〚URS〛 is a procedure in which a healthcare provider uses a tool to look inside your kidneys and ureters. Providers use ureteroscopy (yoo-ree-tuh-ROS-keh-pee) to evaluate and treat blockages and abnormalities in your urinary system.» — [1]

Ursodiol

Ursodiol is a bile thinner that helps your body recover from the removal of the gallbladder.

Drug Names

  • Generic: Ursodiol
  • Brand: Actigall, Reltone, Urso

Refs

Valcyte

«Valganciclovir is used to treat symptoms of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, an infection in the eyes of people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Valganciclovir will not cure this eye infection, but it may help to keep the symptoms from becoming worse.» — [1]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Valganciclovir
  • Brand: Valcyte

Refs

Vivitrol

«Vivitrol is a long-acting injectable form of naltrexone, which is a medication used to treat two substance use disorders - opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). Vivitrol is used as part of a treatment program. It helps prevent people with alcohol or opioid dependence from feeling like they need to use these substances.» — [2]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Naltrexone
  • Brand: Vivitrol

Refs

XIAFLEX

«XIAFLEX is an FDA-approved nonsurgical injectable treatment for adults with Dupuytren’s contracture when a “cord” can be felt.» — [1]

Drug Names

  • Generic: Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum
  • Brand: XIAFLEX

Refs

Xifaxan

Rifaximin (tradename Xifaxan) treats traveler’s diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome by stopping the growth of the bacteria that cause diarrhea. Rifaximin treats hepatic encephalopathy by stopping the growth of bacteria that produce toxins and that may worsen liver disease.

Drug Names

  • Generic: Rifaximin
  • Brand: Xifaxan, Xifaxanta, Zaxine

Refs

Xifaxan is now available as a generic (Rifaxamin) in Canada. The patent protection in the US (Until 2029?) did not happen in Canada.

Other brand names are: Xifaxanta/Zaxine_