For centuries, many cultures have described mythical creatures with bodies that combined human and animal features, often the result of violating taboos. This study attempted to investigate the beliefs of transplant patients about xenografting. A survey was given to 100 patients ranging in age from 17 to 74 years old, with 65 men and 35 women, including 72 whites, 18 Hispanics, 5 African Americans, and 4 Asian Americans. The subjects included liver, heart, kidney, lung, and multi-organ transplant patients. The patients were not aware of plans for xenografting at the center under study. Eighty patients agreed with xenografting in an emergency situation. Ten subjects replied, "under no circumstances." Ninety percent believed animal research has advanced medical science. In descending order, the patients preferred human (96%), monkey (44%), mechanical (43%), pig (42%), or dog (34%) organs. Twenty-four patients thought a xenograft would change their appearance, personality, or eating or sexual habits. Twenty patients believed animals have souls. The patients also documented any ethical concerns about xenografting.

Liver Transplantation and SurgeryVolume 3, Issue 3 p. 322-327 Original ArticleFree Access Treatment of the postoperative alcoholic liver transplant recipient with other addictions K L Coffman, K L CoffmanSearch for more papers by this authorA Hoffman, A HoffmanSearch for more papers by this authorL Sher, L SherSearch for more papers by this authorS Rojter, S RojterSearch for more papers by this authorJ Vierling, J VierlingSearch for more papers by this authorL Makowka, L MakowkaSearch for more papers by this author K L Coffman, K L CoffmanSearch for more papers by this authorA Hoffman, A HoffmanSearch for more papers by this authorL Sher, L SherSearch for more papers by this authorS Rojter, S RojterSearch for more papers by this authorJ Vierling, J VierlingSearch for more papers by this authorL Makowka, L MakowkaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 30 December 2003 https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.500030320Citations: 40AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume3, Issue3May 1997Pages 322-327 RelatedInformation

BACKGROUND:Severe liver failure is associated with high mortality. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only effective therapeutic modality; there is a need for a 'bridge' system to support patients until an organ becomes available.METHODS:A bioartificial liver (BAL) was used to treat 10 patients with severe liver failure. A plasmapheresis system was used to pump patient plasma through a module with porcine hepatocytes. Each treatment lasted 6-7 h.RESULTS:All patients tolerated the procedure(s) well. Eight patients underwent OLT following BAL treatment(s). There were two late deaths after recovery from liver failure. Five patients with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and decerebration had ICP normalization, increased cerebral perfusion pressure and full neurologic recovery after OLT. There was improvement in the level of encephalopathy and a significant decrease in serum ammonia after BAL treatment(s).CONCLUSIONS:BAL treatment is safe and beneficial and can be successfully used as a 'bridge' to transplantation.

A 26-year-old female patient with fulminant hepatic failure and a history of autoimmune hepatitis was heterotopically transplanted with a pig hepatic xenograft to provide temporary metabolic support prior to transplantation with a human donor organ, Circulating natural antipig antibodies were removed prior to transplantation by plasmapheresis and ex vivo en bloc perfusion of the donor pig kidneys. The Liver xenograft functioned after transplantation as measured by active bile production, stabilization of prothrombin levels, and reduction in the circulating levels of lactic acid and the enzymes AST and ALT. Despite the re moval of greater than 90% of the recipient's natural xenoantibodies prior to transplantation, the levels of antibody rapidly returned and were associated with antibody and complement-mediated rejection of the donor graft. Immunohistochemical evidence of graft rejection could be detected by the deposition of antibody, complement components including properdin, and endothelial swelling as early as 3 hr posttransplantation These lesions progressed in severity and were accompanied by evidence of thrombosis and ischemic necrosis of the Liver xenograft by 34 hrs posttransplantation. The main portal vein, hepatic artery, and vena cava were patent. The placement of the liver graft did not result in any improvement in the neurological status of the patient and she died 34 hr after xenografting due to irreversible brain damage, The information derived from this case has renewed interest in the clinical use of bioartifical devices and whole organ perfusion using xenogeneic tissue for temporary bridging of patients prior to allografting.

PURPOSE To assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography for evaluating portal vein patency in candidates for liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS MR angiography was performed in the main portal vein and proximal confluence of the portal vein in 102 candidates for liver transplantation (64 male patients and 38 female patients aged 8 months to 74 years; mean age, 47 years). The MR angiographic results were compared with the surgical and histologic findings in the explanted liver and excised main portal vein. RESULTS MR angiography depicted 10 portal vein clots, all of which were confirmed at transplantation. Ninety-two portal veins were patent at MR angiography, a finding that was confirmed at transplantation. One tiny chronic clot in a small, intrahepatic branch of the portal vein was not seen at MR angiography or transplantation. It was identified at histologic analysis of the explanted liver. CONCLUSION MR angiography is accurate in the evaluation of portal vein patency.