Important new recommendations are provided for the care of patients with an AAA, including suggestions to improve mutual decision-making between the treating physician and the patients and their families as well as a number of new strategies to enhance perioperative outcomes for patients undergoing elective and emergent repair. Areas of uncertainty are highlighted that would benefit from further investigation in addition to existing limitations in diagnostic tests, pharmacologic agents, intraoperative tools, and devices.

Virtually all biomaterials are susceptible to biofilm formation and, as a consequence, device-associated infection. The concept of an immobilized liquid surface, termed slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS), represents a new framework for creating a stable, dynamic, omniphobic surface that displays ultralow adhesion and limits bacterial biofilm formation. A widely used biomaterial in clinical care, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), infused with various perfluorocarbon liquids generated SLIPS surfaces that exhibited a 99% reduction in S. aureus adhesion with preservation of macrophage viability, phagocytosis, and bactericidal function. Notably, SLIPS modification of ePTFE prevents device infection after S. aureus challenge in vivo, while eliciting a significantly attenuated innate immune response. SLIPS-modified implants also decrease macrophage inflammatory cytokine expression in vitro, which likely contributed to the presence of a thinner fibrous capsule in the absence of bacterial challenge. SLIPS is an easily implementable technology that provides a promising approach to substantially reduce the risk of device infection and associated patient morbidity, as well as health care costs.

Since the first attempt in 1968, survival following pig-to-primate liver xenotransplantation (LXT) has been limited. We evaluated a model utilizing α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout donors, continuous post-transplant infusion of human prothrombin concentrate complex and immunosuppression including anti-thymocyte globulin, FK-506, methylprednisone and co-stimulation blockade (belatacept, n=3 or anti-CD40mAb, n=1) to extend survival. Baboon #1 remained well until POD25 when euthanasia was required due to cholestasis and plantar ulcers. Baboon #2 was euthanized following a seizure on POD5, despite normal LFTs and no apparent pathology. Baboon # 3 demonstrated initial stable liver function, but was euthanized on POD8 due to worsening LFTs. Pathology revealed C4d positivity, extensive hemorrhagic necrosis and a focal CMV inclusion. Baboon # 4 was clinically well with stable LFTs until POD29, when euthanasia was again necessitated by plantar ulcerations as well as rising LFTs. Final pathology was C4d negative and without evidence of rejection, inflammation or TMA. Thus, nearly one-month rejection-free survival has been achieved following LXT in 2 of 4 continuous recipients, demonstrating that the porcine liver can support life in primates for several weeks and is encouraging for potential clinical application of LXT as a bridge to allotransplantation for patients with acute-on-chronic or fulminant hepatic failure.

HVI occurred in less than 1% of all blunt trauma admissions. Delays in operative intervention are associated with an increased mortality. A high index of suspicion is needed to make a timely diagnosis and minimize risk.

Many organ procurement organizations (OPOs) utilize preset critical care endpoints as donor management goals (DMGs) in order to standardize care and improve outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of meeting DMGs on delayed graft function (DGF) in renal transplant recipients. All eight OPOs of the United Network for Organ Sharing Region 5 prospectively implemented nine DMGs in every donor after neurologic determination of death (DNDD). "DMGs met" was defined a priori as achieving any seven of the nine DMGs and this was recorded at the time of consent for donation to reflect donor hospital ICU management, 12-18 h later, and prior to organ recovery. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of DGF (dialysis in the first week after transplantation) with a p < 0.05. A total of 722 transplanted kidneys from 492 DNDDs were included. A total of 28% developed DGF. DMGs were met at consent in 14%, 12-18 h in 32% and prior to recovery in 38%. DGF was less common when DMGs were met at consent (17% vs. 30%, p = 0.007). Independent predictors of DGF were age, Cr and cold ischemia time, while meeting DMGs at consent was significantly protective. The management of potential organ donors prior to consent affects outcomes and should remain a priority in the intensive care unit.

Meeting DMGs before procurement resulted in more OTPD. Donor factors and critical care end points are independent predictors of organ yield. Prospective studies are needed to determine the true impact of each DMG on the number and function of transplanted organs.

Meeting DMGs prior to organ recovery with ECDs is associated with achieving 3 or more organs transplanted per donor. An increase in the number of critical care end points achieved throughout the care of a potential donor by both donor hospital and organ procurement organization is also associated with an increase in organ yield.

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