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Glossary of Terms
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| ABO BLOOD TYPE |
The classification of blood (A, B. AB, or O)
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ACUTE REJECTION
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The body's attempt to destroy a transplanted organ/tissue |
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ALLOGRAFT
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An organ or tissue that is transplanted from one person to another of the same species. |
| ANTI-REJECTION DRUGS |
Drugs that are taken to help the (Immunosuppression) body accept a transplanted organ |
| ANTIBODY |
A protein substance made by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance. Because the antibodies attack the transplanted organ, patients must take anti-rejection drugs. |
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AUTOGRAFT
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A graft of tissue that is taken from the body of the person to be grafted rather than from another person. |
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BIOPSY
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A process whereby a small piece of tissue from the body is taken and examined under the microscope. The procedure can be used to diagnose rejection of the transplanted organ |
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BRAIN DEATH
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The legal definition of death. The complete and irreversible stopping of all brain function. Artificial support may maintain heartbeat and breathing for a few days, but not permanently. |
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CHRONIC
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Developing slowly and lasting for a long-time. Possible the rest of a person's life (chronic kidney failure). |
| CHRONIC REJECTION |
Slow, continuous failure of the transplanted organ/tissue |
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CIRRHOSIS
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A disease of the liver where normal tissue is replaced with nonfunctioning tissue. This condition can occur when there is lack of adequate nutrition, an infection or damage caused by alcohol abuse. |
| COMPLIANCE |
Adherence to medical advice and instructions. |
| CROSSMATCH |
A blood test that's done before a transplant to see if recipient will react with the donor organ. The test is routinely done for kidney transplants. |
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CYCLOSPORINE
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A drug used to prevent organ rejection by suppressing the body's normal defense system. |
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DECEASED
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Refers to things about or relating to the dead. |
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DIALYSIS
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The process of correcting the balance of fluids and electrolytes in a person's body and to remove wastes when the kidneys aren't working properly. |
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DIASTOLIC BLOOD
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The bottom number in a blood pressure (80 in a PRESSURE blood pressure of 120/80). Indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest. |
| DONOR |
Someone from whom an organ or tissue is removed for the purpose of transplantation. |
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DONOR CARD
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A card that indicates one's wishes to be an organ and/or tissue donor. |
| FULMINANT |
Happening very quickly |
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GRAFT
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A transplanted organ or tissue |
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GRAFT SURVIVAL
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The percentage of patients who have functioning transplanted organs/tissues (grafts). |
| HEMODIALYSIS |
The treatment for kidney failure where the patient's blood is passed through a machine to remove excess fluid and wastes. |
| HEPATIC |
Having to do with or referring to the liver. |
| HEPATITIS |
An inflammation of the liver that can lead to liver failure. |
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HYPERTENSION
(High Blood Pressure )
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When the force of blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels is higher than normal. The heart must work harder to move the blood through the body. High blood pressure can cause kidney failure and heart disease if not treated. |
| HIRSUTISM |
An excessive increase in hair growth. Can be a side-effect from some of the immunosuppression drugs. |
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HLA (Histocompatibility)
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Otherwise known as tissue typing; a blood test routinely performed for all kidney transplants to match the donor with the most suitable recipients to help decrease potential for rejection of transplanted organ.
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HIV
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A virus the destroys the immune system; HIV causes AIDS, a late stage of the virus characterized by serious infections, malignancies, and neurological dysfunctions. |
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IMMUNE RESPONSE
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The body's natural defense against foreign objects such as bacteria, viruses, or transplanted organs or tissue.
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IMMUNE SYSTEM
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The entire system in the body that work to find and neutralize foreign substances including bacteria, viruses, and transplanted organs or tissues. |
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IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
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The act of artificially suppressing the immune response, usually through drugs, so the body will not reject transplanted organs or tissues.
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INFECTION
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A condition where the body is fighting a foreign substance such as a virus. Because transplant patients immune systems are suppressed, they can get infections more easily and has more difficulty in recovering from infections. |
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INFORMED CONSENT
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An agreement of full disclosure and full understanding of events that will take place. Often refers to the process by which one makes decisions regarding medical procedures including the decision to donate the organs and/or tissues of a loved one. |
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ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
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A patient unit in a hospital that has highly technical equipment and monitors along with specially trained staff. |
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KIDNEYS
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A pair of organs that remove wastes from one's body through the production of urine. Kidneys can be donated from living and cadaveric donors and transplanted into patients with kidney failure. |
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LVAD
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A device that is implanted into a patient with (Left Ventricular Assist Device) heart failure that maintains blood circulation. |
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LIVER
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An organ that secretes bile which aides in digestion, helps process protein, carbohydrates, and fats, and stores substances like vitamins. The liver can be donated and transplanted. |
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LIVING-RELATED DONOR
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A family member or an emotionally related (LRD) person who donates an organ or a part of an organ to another person. |
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NATIONAL ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR AWARENESS WEEK (NOTDAW)
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The 3rd week of April of each year that recognizes organ/tissue donors and their families and to promote organ/tissue donation. |
| NEPHROLOGIST |
A physician who is specializes in the treatment of kidney insufficiency and kidney disease. |
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NONCOMPLIANCE
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Failure to follow instructions of the medical team - like not taking medications properly. Noncompliance can lead to failure of a transplanted organ. |
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ORGAN/TISSUE DONATION
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The process whereby organs/tissues are given to someone one in need of that organ/tissue. |
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ORGAN PRESERVATION
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Special methods that allow the transplant team to store organs from time of procurement to time of transplantation. The length of time organs and tissues can be kept outside the body vary depending on the organ or tissue, the type of preservation fluid, and the preservation method. |
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ORGAN/TISSUE PROCUREMENT
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The retrieval of organs/tissues for transplantation. |
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PANCREAS
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Irregularly shaped gland that lies behind the stomach and secretes enzymes into the small intestines to aid digestion or proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Islet cells within the pancreas secrete glucagon, which regulates blood sugar levels and insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels. |
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PERITONEAL DIALYSIS
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Technique that uses the patient's own body tissues inside of the abdominal cavity to act as a filter. A special catheter (tube) is inserted through the abdominal wall and special fluid is flushed into the abdominal cavity. The intestinal walls act as a filter between this fluid and the blood stream. Waste products and excess water can be removed from the body through this process. |
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PLASMAPHERESIS
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A process where plasma is removed from donated blood and the remaining components of the blood are returned back to the donor. |
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POLYCYSTIC DISEASE (PKD)
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A disease that results in the formation of cysts throughout the kidneys. |
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PROCUREMENT
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The act of recovering a donated organ or tissue |
| PULMONARY |
Having to do with, or referring to, the lungs. |
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PYELONEPHRITIS
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Inflammation and/or infection of the kidney and the renal pelvis (part of the system that conveys urine from the kidneys to the bladder). |
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RECIPIENT
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A person who has received a transplant. |
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RECOVERY
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The surgical procedure of removing an organ/tissues from a donor. |
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REJECTION
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The bodies attempt to attack a transplanted organ as it reacts to the organ as a foreign object and produces antibodies to destroy it. |
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RENAL
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Having to do with, or referring to, the kidneys. |
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RETRIEVAL
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The surgical procedure of procuring organs/tissues from a donor. |
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STATUS
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The code number used to indicate the degree of medical urgency for patients waiting for organ transplants (kidneys are the exception). |
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STERIODS
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Naturally occurring substances which include horomones in the body that help to control important bodily functions. Man-made steroids are used to suppress immune system in transplantation.
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SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE
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The top number in a blood pressure (120 in a blood pressure of 120/80). It measures the maximum pressure exerted when the heart contracts. |
| THORACIC |
Referring to the heart, lungs, or chest. |
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TISSUE
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A grouping of similar type cells that perform a special function. Examples include, corneas, bone, heart valves. |
| TISSUE TYPING |
A blood test that helps evaluate how closely the tissues of the donor match those of the recipient |
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TRANSPLANT
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To transfer a section of tissue or complete or partial organ from its original position to a new position. |
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XENOGRAFT
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An organ or tissue procured from a different species for transplantation into a human.
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