Presenter underwent a heart transplant in August 2023 and received a new kidney months later, in February 2024
The presenter underwent liver transplant and kidney relay last week after new health complications, as reported by Einstein Hospital Israelita, where he has been hospitalized since May. But in what cases is a relayer needed? And what are the care and risks of this type of procedure?
A relay is done when there is a need to replace a previously transplanted organ that has stopped working irreversibly. In the case of the kidney, this means that the first donated organ failed to filter the blood properly.
According to Luís Edmundo da Fonseca, a hepatologist at the Center Specialized in Digestive Appliance at the Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital, among the causes that may lead to the loss of transplanted kidney function are rejection of the first organ received by the patient, toxic effect of immunosuppressive medications and the return of base disease that led to the need for the first transplant.
“This can happen early, right after the first transplant, or late, usually because the original disease recurred. The kidney is also more sensitive than the liver, for example, to immunosuppressive medications that the patient has to take to avoid rejection. These medications may compromise renal function,” explains the expert.
Faustão underwent a heart transplant in August 2023 and received a new kidney months later in February 2024. Although the two surgeries were successful, the presenter’s body rejected the new kidney shortly after the transplant. With this, Faustão began to do hemodialysis sessions weekly.
Fonseca explains that acute conditions such as sepsis (a widespread and severe infection) can also temporarily or definitively compromise renal function, even in people who have never been transplant. According to Einstein, Faustão was hospitalized on May 21 due to a acute bacterial infection with sepsis. “Kidney is one of the most affected organs in the occurrence of a sepsis. It can enter temporary or irreversible renal impairment,” explains the doctor.
How long does a transplanted kidney last?
Transplanted kidney, when it is not rejected or complicated, can last decades without the need for relay, but this will depend on factors such as the age of the donor and receiver and the clinical conditions of the patient who received the organ.
“Kidney is an agency that ages, unlike the liver, which resists more at time. So much so that when we do liver transplant, we don’t care about the donor’s age. When the donation is kidney, I need to worry about the donor’s age because if it is the kidney of an old man, for example, he will have shorter time,” says Fonseca.
Care after a retransplantation are similar to those of the first surgery, with special attention to therapies that may reduce the risk of rejection. Successful rates are slightly lower in a second transplant, but yet the procedure may have a better result than keeping the patient in dialysis.
When is a liver transplant?
Fonseca explains that it is not uncommon for the patient to undergo liver transplantation and kidney at the same time. In the case of Faustão, the first surgery was performed on the last day 6 and the relay the next day.
As for the main causes that lead to liver transplantation, the hepatologist cites chronic hepatitis B and C, excessive alcohol consumption and greasy liver disease. The latter, associated with the global obesity epidemic, is becoming the main indication of transplantation, according to the doctor. Acute cases, such as drug -induced liver failure, are also relevant.
The patient may need simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation usually in the case of chronic diseases that compromise the two organs, such as diabetes.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Nicolas Robert
