Vienna Abdominal Transplantation Research
Our scientific work is focused on clinical transplantation of abdominal organs with strong pretensions towards translational research.
Outcome data after transplantation of abdominal organs has continuously improved during the last decades. Nevertheless, transplant centers face the problem of rising numbers of patients on their waiting lists in contrast to quite stable numbers of available donor grafts. Several strategies have been proposed to overcome the issue of organ shortage.
One approach is expanding the donor pool. The use of extended criteria donors has been promoted recently with good results using ex-vivo donor-organ machine perfusion. Donor liver perfusion prior to transplantation is the standard method in our center for all donor livers aiming improved preservation and viability testing. Identification of at-risk grafts with a predisposition due to their impaired regenerative mechanisms early on is key for initializing the right treatment suitable for the respective recipients. Understanding of the pathophysiology of acute hepatic failure is mandatory for developing sufficient treatment strategies. The assessment of potential regeneration of the liver or indication for acute liver transplantation is one of the most demanding clinical decisions. With knowledge about the underlying mechanisms of acute liver failure we may develop sufficient support devices in the future. Recently, also a machine perfusion program for donor kidneys has been established. Several translational scientific studies are connected with this important machine programs.
Matching the appropriate recipient for an extended criteria graft represents another of our actual scientific issues. For this aspect some of the traditional allocation principles need a new weighting, both in kidney and liver transplantation.
On the other hand, follow-up and care of transplanted patients is an important topic for avoiding graft failure and the need of re-transplantation. We participate in studies using new immunosuppressive agents, especially in kidney transplantation and work on protocols for minimizing immunosuppression in liver transplantation.