Guest: C. Burcin Taner, M.D.

Transplantation Series: Expanded Donor Criteria for Organ Transplantation

April 1, 2025

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Recently, the criteria for organ donors have expanded in order to address the increasing difference between the number of available organs and the demand for transplants. Advancements in medical technology, a better understanding of transplant immunology, and the improvement of transplant surgery techniques have allowed for the inclusion of a greater pool of donors with various health conditions, which excluded them as donors in the past. Understanding the delicate balance between expanding the criteria for transplantation and maintaining a high quality of life for the recipients has been important in advancing the field of organ transplantation. The topic for this podcast is “Expanded Donor Criteria for Organ Transplantation” and my guest is C. Burcin Taner, M.D., Professor of Surgery and Chair of the Department of Transplantation at the Florida campus of the Mayo Clinic.

Guests:

Nitin N. Katariya, M.D.,

Lavanya Kodali, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Transplantation Series: Pancreas Transplantation

April 3, 2025

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

At this time, about 11% of the population in the U.S. has diabetes.  This represents nearly 40 million people. And this number is increasing, not only in the U.S. but around the world. Although we have more medical options now than ever before for managing diabetes, the treatment is less than optimal. Another option is a pancreas transplant. What’s the status of pancreatic transplantation? Who’s a candidate for the procedure? How effective is it and what does the future hold for the procedure?  The topic for this podcast is “Pancreas Transplantation” and I’ll be discussing these questions with Nitin N. Katariya, M.D., a transplant surgeon and Lavanya Kodali, M.B.B.S., M.D., a nephrologist and specialist in renal transplant, both from the Arizona campus of the Mayo Clinic.

Guest: Ruben J. Crespo-Diaz, M.D., Ph.D.

Transplantation Series: Cardiac Transplantation

April 8, 2025

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

The world’s first human-to-human heart transplant was performed in 1967 and represented a significant breakthrough for medical science. Although the transplant patient only survived 18 days, it was still a historic event. Since this initial heart transplant, significant improvements have been made in the field of organ transplantation and currently, approximately 5000 heart transplants are performed annually. Unfortunately, over ten times this number could benefit from the procedure. What’s the limiting factor in the number of heart transplants performed? What are the current criteria of eligibility for a heart transplant? What are some of the improvements in the field of cardiac transplant surgery? I’ll get answers to these questions and more from my guest, Ruben J. Crespo-Diaz, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. The topic for this podcast is “Cardiac Transplant”.

Guest: Rohan M. Goswami, M.D.

Transplantation Series: AI in Transplantation Medicine

April 10, 2025

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

The benefits of artificial intelligence or AI are just beginning to be recognized. AI has the potential to improve productivity and efficiency in the workplace, reduce errors and help sort out complex issues. The field of healthcare is finding roles for AI by improving the management of patient data, enhancing clinical decision making and assisting in medical imaging analysis. The integration of AI in transplantation medicine is evolving and has the potential to revolutionize the field. Can AI assist in organ matching and allocation? Can it predict graft survival and organ rejection?  What ethical concerns does AI bring to the specialty?  I’ll be discussing these issues in this podcast as we tackle the topic of “AI in Transplantation Medicine”. My guest for this podcast is Rohan M. Goswami, M.D., a cardiologist and specialist in Transplant Medicine from the Mayo Clinic.

Guest: Julie K. Heimbach, M.D.

Transplantation Series: What's New in Organ Transplantation Surgery

April 15, 2025

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

In 2024, over 48,000 organ transplants were performed in the U.S., representing an increase over the number performed the year before. There was also an increase in the number of transplants performed internationally, offering hope to patients worldwide with organ failure. Significant advancements have been made in the field of organ transplantation, and this is responsible for the success of the organ transplantation program. What are some of the major milestones that have taken place since the initial organ transplant? How has technology improved the success of an organ transplanted? What role will xenotransplantation, or transplantation of animal organs play in the future? These are some of the questions I’ll be asking my guest, Julie K. Heimbach, M.D., transplant surgeon and director of the Transplant Center at the Mayo Clinic. The topic for this podcast is “What’s New in Transplant Surgery?”

Connect with Mayo Clinic’s Transplant Center online at https://mayoclinic.org/transplant or on X @MayoTransplant.

To learn more and register to be an organ donor please visit https://careinfo.mayoclinic.org/organ-donation.

Guest: John Haney, M.D., M.P.H.

Transplantation Series: Lung Transplantation

April 22, 2025

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Lung transplantation remains a very viable option for patients with end-stage pulmonary disease who no longer respond to medical management. Over 5,000 lung transplants are performed annually around the world. However, its estimated that over 10 times this number are candidates and awaiting a transplant. A shortage of organs remains the major limiting factor. What are the common indications and who’s a candidate for a lung transplant? How are patients prioritized and chosen? What advances have been made in the field and what challenges remain? Finally, what role does the primary care clinician play in lung transplantation? I’ll be discussing these questions and more with my guest, Jack Haney, M.D., M.P.H., chair of cardiothoracic surgery at the Jacksonville campus of the Mayo Clinic. The topic for this podcast is “Lung Transplantation”.

Connect with Mayo Clinic’s Transplant Center online at https://mayoclinic.org/transplant or on X @MayoTransplant.

To learn more and register to be an organ donor please visit https://careinfo.mayoclinic.org/organ-donation.