Each individual has a particular blood type that is identified by one of the major blood groups - A, B, O, or AB. Matching of donor and recipient by blood group is essential to organ transplantation.
Tissue taken from one part of a person's body - piece of the hip bone, for example - and transplanted to another place - the spine - on the same person; the patient is both donor and recipient.
Soft tissue that fills the cavities of the bones, and is the source of all blood cells. Bone marrow can be donated and transplanted to help fight cancer and other diseases.
Death resulting from the cessation of heart function; an individual who suffers a cardiac death can donate tissues like bone and skin, but typically cannot donate organs.
A condition resulting from weakness of the heart muscle, which causes the heart to lose its pumping ability. Fluid backs up in the lungs and may also accumulate in the legs.
A blood test to determine if a patient has antibodies against a donor's antigens. Positive means the donor and patient are incompatible; negative means no reaction from the patient and the transplant may proceed.
A division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, providing oversight and funding support for the nation's organ procurement, allocation, and transplantation system; coordinates national organ and tissue donation activities and funds research to learn more about what works to increase donation; and administers the national bone marrow registry program.
A lung disease in which the air sacs are enlarged and damaged, impairing breathing and often requiring lung transplantation; most frequently caused by smoking.
Severe kidney disease or chronic kidney failure that has reduced the kidney function to 10 percent or less of normal function, requiring the patient to have either dialysis or a transplant in order to live. Also called renal failure.
A valve between each of the four chambers of the heart. When working properly, these valves open and close fully to control the one-way flow of the blood; heart valves can be donated and transplanted.
Genetic markers found on all cells of the body that determine white blood cell types. HLA tissue types are used to match donated organs or bone marrow with transplant recipients.
Disease of the heart muscle with no known cause leading to a weakened and often enlarged heart; one of the principal reasons for heart transplantation.
Medications developed to suppress the body's normal production of antibodies that fight foreign substances such as transplants, bacteria and infections. Two of the major immunosuppressive drugs include cyclosporine and tacrolimus.
Two digestive organs in the abdomen; the small intestines remove nutrients from the food to be used for energy, and the large intestines absorb water from the digested food, and make stool. The small intestine may be transplanted.
A band of fibrous, connective tissue that attaches bone to bone and bone to cartilage, supporting and strengthening the joints. Ligaments are often used as part of a bone transplant to repair knee and other joint injuries.
Soft tissue that fills the cavities of the bones, and is the source of all blood cells. Bone marrow can be donated and transplanted to help fight cancer and other diseases.
A term used to describe a patient who donates kidneys and possibly a liver following the cessation of a heart beat at the time of death; this is different from a brain dead donor whose heart is still beating and pumping blood to organs just before donation.
Regional, non-profit organizations responsible for coordinating organ and tissue donations at hospitals throughout the U.S.; all OPOs are designated by the Federal Government to serve specific regions.
An organ that produces the insulin hormone needed to regulate blood sugar levels, and produces enzymes to aid in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The pancreas can be donated and transplanted typically for diabetic patients who suffer kidney failure.
A method of dialysis for patients with kidney failure in which fluids are pumped into the abdomen resulting in the removal of wastes from the blood; peritoneal dialysis can be done in the home as opposed to hemodialysis which must be done at a hospital or clinic.
Elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries from constriction; causes problems with the blood flow in the lungs, and makes the heart work harder.
Reaction caused by the immune system attacking a transplanted organ or tissue by the production of antibodies. Immunosuppressive drugs are prescribed to help prevent this reaction.
A vein from inside the leg that goes from the ankle to the groin. Donated veins are used to help people with vascular disease or who need heart bypass surgery.
Immature blood cells that develop into new red and white blood cells, and platelets as they mature. They are located in the bone marrow and blood and can be donated and transplanted.
Also known as FK506 and its product name Prograf, tacrolimus is one of the major immune suppressing drugs used by transplant recipients to prevent organ rejection.
A blood test that determines a potential transplant recipient's compatibility with a donor; tissue typing is performed mostly to match donors with recipients of kidney and bone marrow transplants.
Established the organ and tissue donor card as a legal document in all 50 states, making it possible for anyone 18 years or older to donate his or her organs and tissues upon death. This act also bans the sale of organs and tissues.
A private, non-profit organization based in Richmond, Va., that runs the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, the nation's organ transplant waiting list and organ allocation system; all organ transplant programs and organ procurement organizations in the U.S. must be members of UNOS.