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Transplantation
Our role
When an organ is no longer functioning (well), a donor can donate their organ. The healthy organ is transplanted to the patient, offering him or her the chance of a return to a normal life.
“Organ donation is a part of a system of Belgian and supranational solidarity. We identify the donors and register them with Eurotransplant which then allocates the organs to persons on the waiting list with priority for the most seriously ill. We also manage those on the waiting list and the organs we receive for our patients.”
Our specialities
Organ transplantation at the H.U.B. is organised transversally per organ and always involving two specialist departments. The Medical Department cares for persons with “organ insufficiencies” while they await a transplant and subsequently provides post-transplant monitoring, most notably managing the anti-rejection treatment and risk of infection. The Surgery Department is responsible for the actual organ removal and transplantation.
- Responsibility for heart transplants lies with the Cardiac Insufficiency Clinic (cardiology) and thoracic surgery.
- Responsibility for lung transplants lies with pneumology for the medical aspects and with thoracic surgery.
- Responsibility for liver transplants lies with gastroenterology for the medical aspects and with the Liver Transplant Clinic (digestive surgery).
- Responsibility for kidney transplants lies with nephrology for the medical aspects and with the Kidney Transplant Functional Unit (digestive surgery).
Overseeing these 4 transplant units is the Transplant Coordination Cell. This team of specialised nurses manages interaction between the donor centres and Eurotransplant as well as the waiting lists and interactions with the specialist doctors in charge of patients waiting for an organ. In the event of compatibility and agreement, the Cell organises the logistics of the transplant: communication with the patient, secure transport of the organ, mobilisation of the surgery team, reserving of a room in the operating area, etc.
Our Team
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Our medical specialists
Focus
The H.U.B. Transplant Department has expertise in what liver transplants can contribute in the case of multivisceral insufficiency (kidney, circulation, brain, etc.). The director of the department is also Principal Investigator for a major global study on the subject (CHANCE).
Research
The H.U.B. Transplant Department works with the Institute of Medical Immunology on research projects relating to transplant immunology (rejection, organ tolerance, ischaemia-reperfusion, etc.) The department also works on terminal phase liver insufficiency, in partnership with the Experimental Gastroenterology Department.
Teaching
The H.U.B. Transplant Department organises the Sympadot, an annual symposium dedicated to the latest progress in organ donation and transplantation. This symposium is for all local coordinators of organ donations within the H.U.B.-ULB network.
Publications
Publications
Early liver transplantation for severe alcohol-related hepatitis not responding to medical treatment : a prospective controlled study.
- Autors : Louvet A, Labreuche J, Moreno C, Vanlemmens C, Moirand R, et al. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol
- Journal : 2022 ;7(5) :416-425. PMID 35202597
A randomized controlled trial of liposomal cyclosporine A for inhalation in the prevention of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome following lung transplantation.
- Journal : Am J Transplant 2022 ;22(1) :222-229. PMID 34587371.
Long-term outcome after venoarterial extracorporeal mebrane oxygenation as bridge to left ventricular assist device preceding heart transplantation.
- Autors : Coeckelenbergh S, Valente F, Mortier J, et al.
- Journal : J Cardiothorac Vasdc Anesth 2022 ;36(6) :1694-1702. PMID 34330577.
5-year outcomes of the prospective and randomized CISTCERT study comparing steroid withdrawal to replacement of cyclosporine with everolimus in de novo kidney transplant patients.
- Journal : Transpl Int 2021 ;34(2) :313-326. PMID : 33277746.