Heart transplant center practice patterns affect access to donors and survival of patients classified as status 1 by the United Network of Organ Sharing
Dj. Whellan et al., Heart transplant center practice patterns affect access to donors and survival of patients classified as status 1 by the United Network of Organ Sharing, AM HEART J, 140(3), 2000, pp. 443-450
Citations number
21
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
Objective To determine the effect of adult cardiac transplant center practi
ce patterns within a single organ procurement organization on access to don
ors and survival for patients listed as United Network of Organ Sharing (UN
OS) status 1.
Methods A total of 662 patients listed (January 1, 1992, through December 3
1, 1995) as UNOS status 1 for heart transplantation by the 4 adult cardiac
transplant centers in an organ procurement organization were analyzed in a
retrospective cohort study to determine differences in clinical outcomes.
Results The specific center at which an individual was listed as UNOS statu
s 1 was a significant independent predictor of receiving a transplant (odds
ratios for 3 centers vs center with highest likelihood = 0.73, 0.64, 0.35,
respectively; P < .01). Only 1 center had a significantly increased mortal
ity rate compared with the other centers (odds ratio 2.03, P < .01).
Conclusion Within a single regional organ procurement organization, cardiac
transplant centers demonstrate significant variability in the likelihood o
f transplantation and survival for patients listed as UNOS status 1.