Education
Timely Topics in Transplantation Webinar Series
March 17, 2015
Norah Terrault MD, MPH • University of California, San Francisco
Moderated by Robert Brown, MD, MPH • Columbia University Medical Center
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C has been considered a relative or absolute contraindication for non-liver transplantation in the past, due to concerns of liver disease progression post-transplantation and a lack of safe and effective therapies. The recent availability of interferon-free, all-oral, antiviral drug combinations to treat of chronic hepatitis C provides an opportunity to revise management algorithms to optimize the care of non-liver transplant candidates and recipients.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the components of the new HCV all-oral combinations, the role of ribavirin, and anticipated rates of HCV eradication with treatment
- Summarize the safety data of new HCV therapies as it pertains to non-liver transplant candidates and recipients, including key drug-drug interactions (HCV antivirals and immunosuppressive drugs)
- Evaluate the pros and cons of HCV treatment pre versus post-transplantation, including considerations related to use of anti-HCV positive donors
The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C has been considered a relative or absolute contraindication for non-liver transplantation in the past, due to concerns of liver disease progression post-transplantation and a lack of safe and effective therapies. The recent availability of interferon-free, all-oral, antiviral drug combinations to treat of chronic hepatitis C provides an opportunity to revise management algorithms to optimize the care of non-liver transplant candidates and recipients.
Objectives:
- Describe the components of the new HCV all-oral combinations, the role of ribavirin, and anticipated rates of HCV eradication with treatment
- Summarize the safety data of new HCV therapies as it pertains to non-liver transplant candidates and recipients, including key drug-drug interactions (HCV antivirals and immunosuppressive drugs)
- Evaluate the pros and cons of HCV treatment pre versus post-transplantation, including considerations related to use of anti-HCV positive donors
February 17, 2015
David Serur, MD • New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell
Elisa Gordon, PhD, MPH • Northwestern University
Catherine Garvey, RN, BA, CCTC • University of Minnesota Health
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
The long-term acceptance of living donor transplantation has been based on a combination of excellent recipient outcomes and belief that in actuarial terms, there is no increased risk of living with one kidney. However, recent studies have raised controversy and concerns regarding the long-term risks of CKD in kidney donors. How do we interpret these findings? How do we evaluate and when do we clear donors with pre-existing medical conditions like hypertension, obesity, kidney stones, etc., and convey divergent opinions to patients? Comprehensive donor consent remains at the core of this process. Though perceived as challenging existing assumptions, the disclosure of new data will enable a better understanding of the risks so that potential living donors can make a more meaningful, informed decision.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Distinguish between 'low risk donors' and medically complex living donors
- Evaluate the meanings of new studies regarding donor risk
- Refine the current informed consent process in light of the evolving data
The long-term acceptance of living donor transplantation has been based on a combination of excellent recipient outcomes and belief that in actuarial terms, there is no increased risk of living with one kidney. However, recent studies have raised controversy and concerns regarding the long-term risks of CKD in kidney donors. How do we interpret these findings? How do we evaluate and when do we clear donors with pre-existing medical conditions like hypertension, obesity, kidney stones, etc., and convey divergent opinions to patients? Comprehensive donor consent remains at the core of this process. Though perceived as challenging existing assumptions, the disclosure of new data will enable a better understanding of the risks so that potential living donors can make a more meaningful, informed decision.
Objectives:
- Distinguish between “low risk donors” and medically complex living donors.
- Evaluate the meanings of new studies regarding donor risk.
- Refine the current informed consent process in light of the evolving data.
February 10, 2015
Peter Reese, MD, MSCE • University of Pennsylvania
John Friedewald, MD • Northwestern Medicine
Moderated by: Jason Wertheim, MD, PhD • Northwestern University
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
The debate over the appropriateness of combined liver and kidney transplants was stoked by the introduction of the MELD system and continues today as the waiting list for kidney alone candidates continues to grow. This education session will feature a review of the current data and experience with combined liver and kidney transplantation and will explore the controversial topics of when to allocate a kidney to candidates with liver failure and acute kidney injury.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
1. Describe the current policies at UNOS regarding simultaneous liver-kidney allocation
2. Explain data related to outcomes for liver transplant candidates with kidney injury
3. Summarize arguments and ethics surrounding the development of new allocation policies for simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
The debate over the appropriateness of combined liver and kidney transplants was stoked by the introduction of the MELD system and continues today as the waiting list for kidney alone candidates continues to grow. This education session will feature a review of the current data and experience with combined liver and kidney transplantation and will explore the controversial topics of when to allocate a kidney to candidates with liver failure and acute kidney injury.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
1. Describe the current policies at UNOS regarding simultaneous liver-kidney allocation
2. Explain data related to outcomes for liver transplant candidates with kidney injury
3. Summarize arguments and ethics surrounding the development of new allocation policies for simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation
January 20, 2015
Jon Kobashigawa, MD • Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute
Matt Morrell, MD • University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Moderated by Julie Yabu, MD • Stanford University
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
Explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies, including the role of desensitization, in lung and heart transplantation. Discuss challenges and avenues for further research and investigation.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Describe how to diagnose antibody-mediated rejection in lung and heart transplant recipients.
- Evaluate and review the desensitization strategies currently used in lung and heart transplant candidates and recipients.
- Summarize the different treatment approaches for treatment of antibody-mediated rejection.
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
Explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies, including the role of desensitization, in lung and heart transplantation. Discuss challenges and avenues for further research and investigation.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Describe how to diagnose antibody-mediated rejection in lung and heart transplant recipients.
- Evaluate and review the desensitization strategies currently used in lung and heart transplant candidates and recipients.
- Summarize the different treatment approaches for treatment of antibody-mediated rejection.
November 18, 2014
Lara Danziger-Isakov, MD, MPH • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Deepali Kumar, MD, MSc, FRCPC • University Health Network
Moderated by Camille Kotton, MD • Massachusetts General Hospital
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
Transplant clinicians strive to prevent infection, and vaccination provides an opportunity to expand this effort. The current recommendations for vaccination, innovative research, and opportunity for advancing these efforts will be discussed.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Explore current pre- and post-transplant vaccination recommendations for pediatric and adult transplant candidates/recipients.
- Appraise recent vaccination studies in transplantation with a focus on live-vaccines and more recently approved vaccinations.
- Identify new opportunities for vaccination in transplantation that are emerging.
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
Transplant clinicians strive to prevent infection, and vaccination provides an opportunity to expand this effort. The current recommendations for vaccination, innovative research, and opportunity for advancing these efforts will be discussed.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Explore current pre- and post-transplant vaccination recommendations for pediatric and adult transplant candidates/recipients.
- Appraise recent vaccination studies in transplantation with a focus on live-vaccines and more recently approved vaccinations.
- Identify new opportunities for vaccination in transplantation that are emerging.
December 12, 2016
Speaker: Minnie Sarwal, MD, PhD, MRCP, DCH, FRCP • University of California San Francisco
Moderator: Julie Yabu, MD • Stanford University
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Identify potential biomarkers and assays for diagnosis for rejection and graft injury
- Describe the integration of bioinformatics and datasets in transplantation
- Design a strategy to prospectively manage transplant patients using biomarkers to preserve organ function
Moderator: Julie Yabu, MD
November 04, 2014
Gena Boyle, MPA • UNOS
Richard Formica, MD • Yale University
Moderated by Nicole Turgeon, MD • Emory University
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
The new kidney allocation system is being implemented on December 4, 2014. Is your transplant program, OPO, and/or histocompatibility laboratory ready? During this webinar, the presenters will walk through the six major elements of the new kidney allocation system. For each element, the presenters will use screen shots and other illustrations to provide information on:
- The essential preparations that transplant programs, histocompatibility laboratories, and OPOs need to take to prepare for implementation
- How the UNOS computer system is currently programmed to assist transplant programs with preparing their list for December 4
- How the new system will capture and use these new data elements
- Helpful hints for complying with the new policy
- Answers to frequently asked questions
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the impact of upcoming policy and system changes related to the new kidney allocation system for patients and the transplant centers.
- Utilize tools and resources provided by the OPTN to prepare for system implementation for patients and the transplant centers.
- Identify methods for compliance with the new kidney allocation policies for transplant centers.
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
The new kidney allocation system is being implemented on December 4, 2014. Is your transplant program, OPO, and/or histocompatibility laboratory ready? During this webinar, the presenters will walk through the six major elements of the new kidney allocation system. For each element, the presenters will use screen shots and other illustrations to provide information on:
- The essential preparations that transplant programs, histocompatibility laboratories, and OPOs need to take to prepare for implementation
- How the UNOS computer system is currently programmed to assist transplant programs with preparing their list for December 4
- How the new system will capture and use these new data elements
- Helpful hints for complying with the new policy
- Answers to frequently asked questions
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the impact of upcoming policy and system changes related to the new kidney allocation system for patients and the transplant centers.
- Utilize tools and resources provided by the OPTN to prepare for system implementation for patients and the transplant centers.
- Identify methods for compliance with the new kidney allocation policies for transplant centers.
November 17, 2016
Speaker: Stephanie Pouch, MD • The Ohio State University Medical Center
Moderator: Shirish Huprikar, MD • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) pose a particular threat to solid organ transplant recipients. Infections due to these pathogens are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and current therapeutic options are limited.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the epidemiology and outcomes of select MDRO infections in solid organ transplant recipients.
- Describe an approach to the use of organs from donors colonized or infected with CRE.
- Discuss the role of infection control and antimicrobial stewardship in curtailing the spread of MDROs in solid organ transplant recipients.
October 21, 2014
Christian Oberkofler, MD • University Hospital Zurich
Thomas Mueller, MD, PhD • University Hospital Zurich
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
Whether you missed the World Transplant Congress or simply did not have time to catch all of the sessions, attend this webinar and get the important clinical highlights from the meeting.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the impact of novel methods of immune monitoring, antibody detection and immune phenotyping on individualized patient treatment
- Discuss living donor safety in respect to current publications and concerns
- Explain surgical innovations in the field of transplantation – organ perfusion systems, laparoscopic/robotic kidney and uterus transplantation
Free to AST members: $25 fee is waived upon logging in during the checkout process.
Whether you missed the World Transplant Congress or simply did not have time to catch all of the sessions, attend this webinar and get the important clinical highlights from the meeting.
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the impact of novel methods of immune monitoring, antibody detection and immune phenotyping on individualized patient treatment
- Discuss living donor safety in respect to current publications and concerns
- Explain surgical innovations in the field of transplantation – organ perfusion systems, laparoscopic/robotic kidney and uterus transplantation
November 15, 2016
Speaker: Jignesh Patel, MD • Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute
Moderator: Monica Colvin, MD, MS • University of Michigan
The presence of donor specific antibodies predisposes the thoracic allograft to the risk of antibody mediated rejection, chronic graft dysfunction and increased mortality. Optimal outcomes depend upon a comprehensive understanding of the significance of circulating antibodies after transplantation. What are the best strategies for defining deleterious antibodies, what are the current available therapies to address these and how effective are they?
After participating in this webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Identify the significance of circulating antibodies in patients awaiting thoracic transplantation or in patients with development of de novo antibodies after transplantation.
- Order appropriate tests to detect relevant donor specific antibodies.
- Design rational therapies for the treatment of post-thoracic transplant circulating antibodies.