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Purpose: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common oncologic disease among men. Radical treatment with curative intent provides good oncological results for PCa survivors, although definitive therapy is associated with significant number of serious side-effects. In modern-era of medicine tissue-sparing techniques, such as focal HIFU, have been proposed for PCa patients in order to provide cancer control equivalent to the standard-of-care procedures while reducing morbidities and complications. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the available evidence about focal HIFU therapy as a primary treatment for localized PCa. Material and methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review of focal HIFU therapy in the MEDLINE database (PROSPERO: CRD42021235581). Articles published in the English language between 2010 and 2020 with more than 50 patients were included. Results: Clinically significant in-field recurrence and out-of-field progression were detected to 22% and 29% PCa patients, respectively. Higher ISUP grade group, more positive cores at biopsy and bilateral disease were identified as the main risk factors for disease recurrence. The most common strategy for recurrence management was definitive therapy. Six months after focal HIFU therapy 98% of patients were totally continent and 80% of patients retained sufficient erections for sexual intercourse. The majority of complications presented in the early postoperative period and were classified as low-grade. Conclusions: This review highlights that focal HIFU therapy appears to be a safe procedure, while short-term cancer control rate is encouraging. Though, second-line treatment or active surveillance seems to be necessary in a significant number of patients.

Background/Aims: We aimed to study the clinical characteristics, treatment modality, and the prognosis of synchronous multiple primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SMPESCC).Methods: A total of 117 SMPESCC cases were evaluated retrospectively from 2010 to 2015.Results: The most common locations of SMPESCC were mid- and lower thoracic segments (n = 208, 84.9%). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 53.8%, 30.8%, and 15.4%, respectively; the median survival time (MST) was 12.5 months. With definitive radiotherapy and surgery, respectively, the MST of stage I/II patients were 34.2 and 26.7 months, of stage III patients were 8.3 and 13.2 months (p = 0.163), and of stage IV patients were and 8 and 12.6 months (p = 0.379). Clinical stage, family history of cancer, and Karnofsky performance status were independent prognostic factors for the whole cohort by Cox multivariate regression analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.859, p < 0.001; HR = 0.579, p = 0.032; and HR = 0.586, p = 0.013).Conclusions: Although the prognosis of SMPESCC is poor, stage I/II patients can achieve long-term survival with aggressive treatment, especially those with a Karnofsky performance score 90 or higher and who have no family history of cancer. Definitive radiotherapy could achieve a similar survival rate to definitive surgery at different clinical stages.

Purpose of review Gram-negative bloodstream infections (GNBSI) are common and carry considerable mortality. Treatment is complicated by increasing antimicrobial resistance, posing a challenge for timely appropriate antibiotics and limiting the choices of effective definitive therapy. The present review aims to summarize recent studies addressing the management of GNBSI. Recent findings New rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility are associated with improved antimicrobial stewardship and reduced length of stay. No mortality benefit or patient-related outcomes are reported. Data regarding the use of new beta-lactam beta-lactamase inhibitors (BLBLIs) for treating multidrug resistance Gram-negative bacteria is supportive, though questions regarding combinations, optimal dosing, mode of administration, and resistance emergence remain to be clarified. Current data regarding cefiderocol necessitates further studies in order to support its use in GNBSI. Shortened (≤7 days) duration of therapy and early oral step down for GNBSI are supported by the literature. The role of repeated blood cultures should be further defined. Summary RDTs should be implemented to improve antibiotic stewardship. Clinical implications on patient-related outcomes should be evaluated. New BLBLIs show promise in the treatment of GNBSI. Additional data are needed regarding the use of cefiderocol. Antibiotic therapy should be shortened and early oral step down should be considered.

18F-DCFPyL was recently approved by the FDA for evaluation prior to definitive therapy and for biochemical recurrence. Here we focus on the key data that justify the clinical use of 18F-DCFPyL, as well as those aspects of protocol implementation and image interpretation that are important to the nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists who will interpret 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT and PET/MR scans.

Piflufolastat F 18 (PYLARIFY®) is an 18F-labelled diagnostic imaging agent that has been developed by Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Lantheus company, for positron emission tomography (PET) that targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Piflufolastat F 18 was approved in the USA on 27 May 2021 for PET of PSMA positive lesions in men with prostate cancer with suspected metastasis who are candidates for initial definitive therapy or with suspected recurrence based on elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of piflufolastat F 18 leading to this approval as a radioactive diagnostic agent in prostate cancer.

To date, COVID-19 still gives rise to a high mortality rate in Indonesia. The definitive therapy has yet to be found. However, some medications are said to be potential in subduing the infection, e.g. remdesivir. United States, Japan, and some countries in Europe had use remdesivir against severe COVID-19 infection. In Indonesia, no study has shown to discuss remdesivir therapy for severe COVID-19. This case series shows the first five remdesivir usages in severe COVID-19 patients in RSDC Wisma Atlet Kemayoran, Jakarta. In this retrospective case series, we include the first five severe COVID-19 patients that got remdesivir plus standard therapy in Rumah Sakit Darurat COVID-19 Wisma Atlet Kemayoran, Jakarta in October 2020. Five patients who got remdesivir in this case series experienced clinical and laboratory improvement. The ventilation and oxygenation status, as well as PF ratio and the neutrophils-lymphocytes ratio (NLR), got better. The possible side effect of remdesivir usage, renal function impairment, was not seen in these patients. At last, the five patients were discharged home with negative swab results, three until seven days after remdesivir therapy finished. Remdesivir therapy for COVID-19 in this case series is associated with a good outcome. Compassionate use of remdesivir should be considered in severe COVID-19. However, a bigger sample of randomized control trial needs to be done to show the effectiveness of remdesivir against COVID-19.

Ductal adenocarcinoma (DAC) is the most common variant histological subtype of prostate carcinoma and has an aggressive clinical course. DAC is usually characterized and treated as high-risk prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma (PAC). However, DAC has a different biology to that of acinar disease, which often poses a challenge for both diagnosis and management. DAC can be difficult to identify using conventional diagnostic modalities such as serum PSA levels and multiparametric MRI, and the optimal management for localized DAC is unknown owing to the rarity of the disease. Following definitive therapy for localized disease with radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, the majority of DACs recur with visceral metastases at low PSA levels. Various systemic therapies that have been shown to be effective in high-risk PAC have limited use in treating DAC. Although current understanding of the biology of DAC is limited, genomic analyses have provided insights into the pathology behind its aggressive behaviour and potential future therapeutic targets.

Purpose Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) are a leading cause of bloodstream infections (BSI) and management is complicated by antibiotic resistance. The Accelerate Pheno™ system (ACC) can provide rapid organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Methods A retrospective, pre-intervention/post-intervention study was conducted to compare management of non-critically ill patients with GNB BSI before and after implementation of a bundled initiative. This bundled initiative included dissemination of a clinical decision algorithm, ACC testing on all GNB isolated from blood cultures, real-time communication of results to the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP), and prospective audit with feedback by the ASP. The pre-intervention period was January 2018 through December 2018, and the post-intervention period was May 2019 through February 2020. Results Seventy-seven and 129 patients were included in the pre-intervention and post-intervention cohorts, respectively. When compared with the pre-intervention group, the time from Gram stain to AST decreased from 46.1 to 6.9 h (p p p p = 0.047) without an increase in 30-day readmissions (22.1% vs 14%; p = 0.13). Conclusion Implementation of an ASP-bundled approach incorporating the ACC aimed at optimizing antibiotic therapy in the management GNB BSI in non-critically ill patients led to reduced TTDT, shorter duration of antibiotic therapy, and shorter hospital length of stay without adversely affecting readmission rates.

Although complete myocardial recovery after ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation is rather seldom, systematic search for recovery is worthwhile because for recovered patients weaning from VADs is feasible and can provide survival benefits with long-term freedom from heart failure (HF) recurrence, even if a chronic cardiomyopathy was the primary cause for the drug-refractory HF necessitating left ventricular (LVAD) or biventricular support (as bridge-to-transplantation or definitive therapy) and even if recovery remains incomplete. LVAD patients explanted for myoacardial recovery compared to those transplanted from LVAD support showed similar survival rates and a significant proportion of explanted patients can achieve cardiac and physical functional capacities that are within the normal range of healthy controls. In apparently sufficiently recovered patients, a major challenge remains still the pre-explant prediction of the weaning success which is meanwhile reliably possible for experienced clinicians. In weaning candidates, the combined use of certain echocardiography and right heart catheterization parameters recorded before VAD explantation can predict post-weaning cardiac stability with good accuracy. However, in the absence of standardization or binding recommendations, the protocols for assessment of native cardiac improvement and also the weaning criteria differ widely among centers. Currently there are still only few larger studies on myocardial recovery assessment after VAD implantation. Therefore, the weaning practice relies mostly on small case series, local practice patterns, and case reports, and the existing knowledge, as well as the partially differing recommendations which are based mainly on expert opinions, need to be periodically systematised. Addressing these shortcomings, our review aims to summarize the evidence and expert opinion on the evaluation of cardiac recovery during mechanical ventricular support by paying special attention to the reliability of the methods and parameters used for assessment of myocardial recovery and the challenges met in both evaluation of recovery and weaning decision making.

Focal therapy has been introduced as a novel treatment option for clinically localized prostate cancer. However, defining its role in the clinical space is still debated, especially with regards to identifying eligible candidates who will stand to benefit from treatment. Active surveillance (AS) is established as the preferred treatment for low-risk prostate cancer, with the goal of identifying those experiencing risk re-classification for curative intervention if it occurs. AS has been shown to be inferior to whole-gland treatments in to preventing progression or metastases. As a result, the field has sought solutions outside of the dichotomous options currently presented to men with low-risk cancer. Finally, the acceptance of preservation of sexual/urinary function and the avoidance of definitive therapy as valid endpoints has forced providers to think outside of survival alone as meaningful measures of success. It is here that focal therapy has emerged as a prospective replacement to AS or definitive treatment in carefully selected men. Combined with available risk stratification tools, focal ablation may afford patients durable oncological benefit while maintaining quality of life even in low-risk cancers.

Fungal infective endocarditis (IE) is uncommon in postoperative cardiac surgical patients. The fungal IE accounts for 1.3'–6.8' of all IE cases and is considered the most severe form with a mortality rate as high as 45'–50'. There are various predisposing factors for fungal IE which include congenital heart defects, cardiac interventions like pacemaker insertion, degenerative valvular heart diseases, long-term use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, and long-term use of central venous. Mortality can reach up to 100' without specific treatment. Definitive therapy necessitates surgical debridement of vegetations/mass/abscess followed by long-term treatment with antifungal agents in patients who have symptoms of heart failure despite optimum medical management. We, hereby, report a case of fungal IE which occurred after the closure of a ventricular septal defect and was treated successfully with liposomal amphotericin B.

The most common lung problem faced by a post-COVID patient is lung fibrosis. Clinical recovery is generally complete in mild-to-moderately severe COVID-19 cases but a small proportion of patients with severe disease may go on to develop lung fibrosis. Patient groups at the highest risk to develop lung fibrosis are the elderly, especially those requiring ICU stay and mechanical ventilation. No definitive therapy for managing this pulmonary fibrosis exists as of date, even though various options are being explored. This case series highlights three cases of post-COVID lung fibrosis and reviews the existing literature.

We report the case of a 41-year-old female who presented with left upper limb embolization due to primary thoracic aortic mural thrombus; this latter represented an uncommon condition with difficult diagnosis and a high rate of life-threatening complications. Upper extremities embolization is extremely rare because it usually occurs in the lower limbs. Management strategy is still controversial, and no clear guidelines indicate superiority of either conservative or invasive treatment approach to date. Our report illustrates how endovascular exclusion of thoracic aortic mural thrombus has the advantage to be a low-risk procedure that represents a definitive therapy.

Aim: There is growing evidence for the possible use of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancers as diagnostic as well as prognostic biomarkers in the present era of Personalized Medicine. The objective of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the prognostic role of microRNAs in uterine cervical cancers. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out searching electronic databases for published articles between January 2009 and August 2020 based on standard systematic review guidelines. Meta-analysis was performed by pooling the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the prognostic value of deregulated miRNAs by the random-effects model. Results: In the present meta-analysis, the aberrant expression of 14 microRNAs in 1,526 uterine cervical cancer cases before definitive therapy from 14 case-control studies were assessed. The pooled HR of two miRNAs, miRNA-155 and miRNA-224 which were upregulated in cervical cancer tissues was 1.76 (95% CI 1.27-2.45) revealing significant association with overall poor survival. Meanwhile, the pooled HR was 1.53 (95% CI 0.94-2.94) when all the deregulated miRNAs in cervical cancer tissues were evaluated. The pooled HR of downregulated miRNAs was 1.46 (95% CI 0.81, 2.64). Meanwhile, the pooled HR of three upregulated miRNAs-425-5p, 196a, 205 in the serum sample was 1.37 (95% CI 0.45 -4.20). Conclusion: The downregulation of aberrant miRNAs was not associated with poor overall survival rates.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare entity throughout the world. This is the first case reported in Nepal. ECD is a rare aggressive, non-Langerhan's histocytosis of unknown origin with classical histological features. The patient usually presents with bone pain or skeletal symptoms along with other constitutional syndrome. Although, no definitive therapy has been approved, interferon-alfa (or Pegylated Interferon-alfa) is considered as initial therapy. In this case report, we found a patient with right-sided localized chest pain for which he was evaluated with bone scan and excisional bone biopsy and its findings support the diagnosis of ECD.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroendocrine tumors are becoming increasingly prevalent with many patients presenting with or developing metastatic disease to the liver. METHODS: In this landmark series paper, we highlight the critical studies that have defined the surgical management of neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases, as well as several randomized control trials which have investigated strategies for systemic control of metastatic disease. RESULTS: Liver-directed surgical approaches and locally ablative procedures are recommended for patients with limited, resectable and in some cases, nonresectable tumor burden. Angiographic liver-directed techniques, such as transarterial embolization, chemoembolization, and radioembolization, offer another approach for management in patients with liver-predominant disease. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is a promising therapy for patients with hepatic and/or extrahepatic metastases. Various systemic medical therapies are also available as adjunct or definitive therapy for patients with metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: This article will review the current data regarding management of neuroendocrine liver metastases and highlight areas for future study.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT may enable superior detection of prostate cancer recurrence compared with fluciclovine PET/CT in patients with a posttreatment prostate-specific antigen le...

Gastric and Ectopic varices are a rare complication of portal hypertension and represent a complex, heterogeneous system of vascular shunts. Bleeding from these shunts can be severe and life-threatening, with poorly standardized treatment algorithms to follow in their management. When bleeding occurs, it is important to follow standard diagnostic procedures for portal hypertensive bleeding and always obtain imaging of the underlying vascular anatomy to help guide therapy. Potential treatment methods will depend on these imaging findings as well as the location of the varix within the gastrointestinal tract. While gastric varices have more data to support specific treatment options, duodenal and rectal varices have only case reports and case series to guide their care. In addition, stomal varices are a very rare complication of portal hypertension and have limited data to support any one treatment modality. Gastric and ectopic varices are best approached in a multidisciplinary fashion after discussion with hepatologists and interventional radiologists to overcome the uncertainty in choosing a definitive therapy.

Highlights •ICH, although less common than ischemic stroke, is the major cause of stroke mortality and there is not yet a definitive therapy beyond supportive care. •Early stabilization of acute ICH involves identifying and treating the cause(s) of decreased alertness, aggressively correcting blood pressure, and reversing any coagulopathy. •Long-term management of ICH requires correctly identifying the underlying etiology and, when possible, correcting it. •Initial clinical trials of minimally invasive hemorrhage evacuation were promising and ongoing trials are evaluating new hemorrhage evacuation technologies.

Purpose. To investigate how pretreatment testosterone levels correlate with progression-free survival, metastasis-free survival, and overall survival in a propensity-adjusted localized prostate cancer population. Methods. Men diagnosed with clinical NCCN-risk stratified very-low, low, intermediate, high, and/or very-high risk prostate cancer who had a baseline total serum testosterone level≥100 ng/dl measured within the 100 days preceding the first definitive therapy were identified from our prospectively gathered institutional database. Cohorts below (100–239 ng/dl), within (240–593 ng/dl), or above (594 + ng/dl) one standard deviation from the mean testosterone level (416 ng/dl) were used for comparison. Progression-free, metastasis-free, and overall survival were evaluated. A separate cohort of men not receiving ADT was used to evaluate testosterone recovery after various treatment modalities (surgery, external beam radiation, brachytherapy, or combined EBRT + Brachy). Results. There was no statistically significant difference between the low, average, and high testosterone cohorts for PFS, MFS, or OS. In men not using ADT, there were no statistically significant changes in testosterone levels 1 year after therapy, regardless of therapy type. Conclusion. In men with serum testosterone levels >=100 ng/dl at diagnosis, baseline testosterone does not impact PFS, MFS, or OS. Recovery of testosterone back to baseline is expected for men undergoing either surgery, external beam or brachytherapy, or combined modality radiation when not using ADT.

Background: Cervical cancer was the fourth common cancer in women in the world and the second most in Indonesia. Chemotherapy has been evaluated as a therapy strategies to treat stage IB2 and IIA2 cervical cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was still being a controversy for the chemotherapy resistance patient. This would delay the provision of definitive therapy. A marker is needed to identify patient which more relatively resistant to chemotherapy. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) type was known be have better response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy than non-Squamous Cell Carcinoma (nSCC) type, but there no studies at Dr.M.Djamil General Hospital yet on this matter before. Objective: To obtain the relationship between histopathology type and neoadjuvant chemotherapy response on cervical stage IB2 and IIA2 cervical canser. Method: This cohort analytic study conducted at Dr.M.Djamil Padang Hospital which obtained 35 samples of stage IB2 and IIA2 cervical cancer patients whom treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Sampling was done by consecutive sampling technique. Results of histopathology and results of ultrasound examinations before and after given neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included to data. Data analysis used Chi-Square test . Results: CR + PR in the SCC and NSCC group were 32% and 50%, while SD + PD was 68% in SCC group and 50% in NSCC group. Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between histopathological type and neoadjuvant chemotherapy response to stage IB2 and IIA2 cervical cancer (p = 0.44). Keywords : histopatolgi, chemotherapy, cervical cancer

Pyogenic tenosynovitis is caused by hematogenous spread of infection or trauma with direct inoculation of a tendon sheath. Symptoms and clinical examination findings associated with pyogenic tenosynovitis may be confused with superficial soft tissue infections, however management plans between pyogenic tenosynovitis and superficial soft tissue infection vary significantly. In patients with pyogenic tenosynovitis, operative intervention and subsequent irrigation and debridement offer a definitive therapy. Bedside ultrasound helps clinicians inspect the involved tendon sheath and may help assisting diagnosis of pyogenic tenosynovitis. In this case report, we described three cases, where point of care ultrasound was used to assist the diagnosis of pyogenic tenosynovitis, to accelerate consultation, and to expedite operative intervention.

Background/aim Esophagobronchial fistula is a common complication of advanced esophageal cancer, related to respiratory distress and mortality. Esophageal bypass has been successfully utilized for palliation, as bridging to definitive chemoradiotherapy. The aim of this study is to present an extremely difficult case of a mid-esophageal squamous cell carcinoma complicated with aerodigestive fistula that was treated using 3D laparoscopic-assisted esophageal bypass with curative intent. Case report A 49-year-old female patient presented with T4b esophageal-squamous cell carcinoma and esophagobronchial fistula. Laparoscopic-assisted V-shaped retrosternal esophageal bypass using a gastric conduit was started, which was converted to open surgery due to respiratory distress. The patient was able to undergo chemoradiotherapy treatment. Conclusion 3D laparoscopic-assisted esophageal bypass can be a safe and feasible approach in patients with advanced mid-esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophagobroncial fistula. Additionally to the advantages of laparoscopic surgery, this operation permits oral feeding, and can be used with possible curative intent in patients with adequate response to chemoradiotherapy.

Patient: Female, 6-month-old Final Diagnosis: Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) Symptoms: Dyspnea • failure to thrive • feeding problems Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Ultrasound Specialty: Cardiology Objective: Rare disease Background: Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare anomaly. When present it can result in failure to thrive and congestive heart failure. Case Report: We present the case of a 6-month old female whose presentation was one of failure to thrive. Point of care ultrasound and electrocardiogram (ECG) were used to diagnose heart failure with consideration of ALCAPA. These tools helped to expedite transfer to a tertiary care center for definitive therapy. Conclusions: Although a rare anomaly, ALCAPA induced heart failure can be quickly identified on bedside ultrasound. Together with ECG findings, the Emergency Physician can expedite the diagnosis and proper disposition.

Background and study aims Colonic angioectasia are the most common vascular lesions in the gastrointestinal tract and are among the most common causes for chronic or recurrent lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic treatment involves a variety of techniques, all of which focus on destruction of the mucosal abnormality. However, recurrent bleeding after endoscopic treatment is common, with more than one treatment frequently necessary. We report a technique for definitive treatment of colonic angioectasia by targeting the feeding submucosal vessel. Patients and methods Analogous to endoscopic mucosal resection, a submucosal injection is made beneath the target lesion which is then removed by electrocautery snare resection of the mucosal lesion. The exposed feeding vessel is then destroyed by application of coagulation current. The resection defect is closed by clips. Results Six patients with a total of 14 colonic angioectasia were treated over the study period. All lesions were destroyed without adverse events. Conclusion Elevation, hot snare resection and coagulation (ESC) of the visible vessel for treating colonic angioectasia appears safe and effective. Larger prospective comparative studies are required to assess its specific role.

The therapeutic management of delirium is based on two major columns. The cornerstone of therapy is the non-pharmacological intervention using a multifactorial approach including early mobilization, reorientation, improvement of cerebral and cognitive activity and the consequent establishment of adequate wake-/sleep cycles. Evidence for specific pharmacotherapy in delirium is currently rare, for both delirium prophylaxis as well as for definitive therapy of clinically apparent delirium. However, in clinical routine several substances are commonly used for the management of delirium particularly in a symptom-oriented choice. Moreover, regarding delirium prophylaxis the choice of sedativum has an important clinical impact on the incidence of delirium.

Diagnostic errors occur in the preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases of specimen processing. Correlating clinical and imaging information with gross and microscopic findings is crucial to limit errors and unnecessary treatment. Herein, we report the case of a 54-year-old woman who presented with left breast bloody nipple discharge and subsequently underwent central duct excision. Pathology revealed a high-grade sarcoma. The patient presented to our institution for further management. Upon secondary pathology review and DNA fingerprinting analysis, the correct interpretation was rendered. Our case demonstrates the importance of clinical correlation and review of pathology slides prior to definitive therapy.

Purpose of review Cardiothoracic transplantation is the definitive therapy for end-stage heart and lung disease. In service to this population, disparities in access and care must be simultaneously understood and addressed. Recent findings There are sex, race, geographic, age, and underlying disease disparities in both heart and lung transplantation. Women have reduced waitlist survival but improved posttransplant survival when compared with men for both heart and lung transplantation. Black patients have worse outcome compared with other races postheart transplant. Geographic disparities impact the likelihood of receiving heart or lung transplant and the growing number of patients with advanced age seeking transplant complicates discussions on survival benefit. Finally, underlying disease has affected outcomes for both heart and lung transplant and now are incorporated into the allocation system. Summary Though heart and lung transplantation have several existing disparities, it remains to be seen how advancements in medical technology, changes in donor organ allocation policies, and growing experience in patient selection will impact these concerns.