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Electrocardiographic characteristics of potential organ donors and associations with cardiac allograft use.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Khush, KK; Menza, R; Nguyen, J; Goldstein, BA; Zaroff, JG; Drew, BJ
Published in: Circ Heart Fail
July 1, 2012

BACKGROUND: Current regulations require that all cardiac allograft offers for transplantation must include an interpreted 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). However, little is known about the expected ECG findings in potential organ donors or the clinical significance of any identified abnormalities in terms of cardiac allograft function and suitability for transplantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A single experienced reviewer interpreted the first ECG obtained after brain stem herniation in 980 potential organ donors managed by the California Transplant Donor Network from 2002 to 2007. ECG abnormalities were summarized, and associations between specific ECG findings and cardiac allograft use for transplantation were studied. ECG abnormalities were present in 51% of all cases reviewed. The most common abnormalities included voltage criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy, prolongation of the corrected QT interval, and repolarization changes (ST/T wave abnormalities). Fifty-seven percent of potential cardiac allografts in this cohort were accepted for transplantation. Left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG was a strong predictor of allograft nonuse. No significant associations were seen among corrected QT interval prolongation, repolarization changes, and allograft use for transplantation after adjusting for donor clinical variables and echocardiographic findings. CONCLUSIONS: We have performed the first comprehensive study of ECG findings in potential donors for cardiac transplantation. Many of the common ECG abnormalities seen in organ donors may result from the heightened state of sympathetic activation that occurs after brain stem herniation and are not associated with allograft use for transplantation.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Circ Heart Fail

DOI

EISSN

1941-3297

Publication Date

July 1, 2012

Volume

5

Issue

4

Start / End Page

475 / 483

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement
  • Tissue Donors
  • Sympathetic Nervous System
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Odds Ratio
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Logistic Models
 

Citation

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Khush, K. K., Menza, R., Nguyen, J., Goldstein, B. A., Zaroff, J. G., & Drew, B. J. (2012). Electrocardiographic characteristics of potential organ donors and associations with cardiac allograft use. Circ Heart Fail, 5(4), 475–483. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.112.968388
Khush, Kiran K., Rebecca Menza, John Nguyen, Benjamin A. Goldstein, Jonathan G. Zaroff, and Barbara J. Drew. “Electrocardiographic characteristics of potential organ donors and associations with cardiac allograft use.Circ Heart Fail 5, no. 4 (July 1, 2012): 475–83. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.112.968388.
Khush KK, Menza R, Nguyen J, Goldstein BA, Zaroff JG, Drew BJ. Electrocardiographic characteristics of potential organ donors and associations with cardiac allograft use. Circ Heart Fail. 2012 Jul 1;5(4):475–83.
Khush, Kiran K., et al. “Electrocardiographic characteristics of potential organ donors and associations with cardiac allograft use.Circ Heart Fail, vol. 5, no. 4, July 2012, pp. 475–83. Pubmed, doi:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.112.968388.
Khush KK, Menza R, Nguyen J, Goldstein BA, Zaroff JG, Drew BJ. Electrocardiographic characteristics of potential organ donors and associations with cardiac allograft use. Circ Heart Fail. 2012 Jul 1;5(4):475–483.

Published In

Circ Heart Fail

DOI

EISSN

1941-3297

Publication Date

July 1, 2012

Volume

5

Issue

4

Start / End Page

475 / 483

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement
  • Tissue Donors
  • Sympathetic Nervous System
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Odds Ratio
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Logistic Models