Prof. Rafal Krenke, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Allergy MUW and provincial consultant for lung diseases, invited heads of lung disease clinics and departments operating in Mazovia. The meeting was held on December 8, 2023. It was also attended by UCC MUW transplant physicians. The purpose of the meeting was to give a practical presentation of issues related to lung transplantation at the CCH UCC MUW and to establish closer cooperation in the qualification and treatment of patients requiring transplantation.
Strong center needed in central Poland
- Till recently, qualification and lung transplantation procedures were possible only at three centers located in Szczecin, Gdańsk and Zabrze, places relatively distant from the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and central Poland. After obtaining accreditation from the Ministry of Health and launching the lung transplantation program at the UCC MUW and PIM MSWiA, patients from the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and neighboring voivodeships can be treated in Warsaw, i.e. much closer to home. This has significant organizational and logistical implications. That is why it is so important to develop cooperation between the transplant center and lung disease clinics and departments operating in the province - said Prof. Rafal Krenke.
The agenda of the meeting included presentations by representatives of various Departments of the UCC MUW, questions and a discussion on the possibilities and organization of cooperation.
Long tradition and modern achievements
Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector, stressed that as a transplant center Medical University of Warsaw can boast a very long tradition
- This is where transplantology began in Poland. In 1966, the first successful kidney transplant took place at the hospital on Lindley Street. The procedure took place without complications. It was done by a team perfectly prepared for it. People and a close-knit team are the key to success in any transplantation - the Rector noted.
Krzysztof Zając, MA, transplant coordinator at UCC MUW and Poltransplant coordinator for the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, spoke about organ transplantation at UCC MUW in 2023. He stressed that by December 8, 2023, almost 500 vascularized organs had been transplanted at UCC MUW, out of about 1,500 nationwide (out of 50 transplant centers).
- That's one-third nationwide. We are a center worth trusting, worth working with and relying on - he argued.
Qualification and patient care
Prof. Bartosz Kubisa, Head of the Clinical Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Department of Heart, Thoracic and Transplant Surgery UCC MUW, pointed out various aspects related to qualification for surgery.
- When performing transplants, remember not to wait until the last minute. All factors affecting the so-called "transplant window" should be carefully considered. At MUW, we consider qualifying even very difficult patients for lung transplantation, such as those with comorbidities that other centers disqualify. Among these are patients with ischemic heart disease, kidney failure or previous chest interventions. This is possible thanks to our well-organized medical facilities and highly qualified medical staff. We are not afraid of challenges and complications. We take care of the patient and care for him in every phase of the transplant procedure, as well as later, after the transplant - said Prof. Kubisa.
The invited guests asked about coordination of activities, logistics and patient care. - In all these aspects, UCC MUW will try to provide assistance. We will not leave a patient or doctor coming forward to inquire about the possibility of lung transplantation without comprehensive assistance and care - assured Prof. Krenke.
On the part of MUW, the meeting was attended by: Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector of MUW; Prof. Michal Grąt, Head of the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery; Prof. Mariusz Kuśmierczyk, Head of the Department of Heart, Thoracic and Transplant Surgery; Prof. Bartosz Kubisa, Head of the Clinical Department of Thoracic Surgery; Małgorzata Sobieszczańska-Małek, MD, PhD, a cardiologist and transplantologist who collaborates with the UCC MUW cardiac surgery team; Dr. Katarzyna Błońska Head of the Cardiac Anesthesiology Department UCC MUW; Marta Maskey-Warzęchowska, MD, PhD, and Tadeusz Przybyłowski, MD, PhD, from the Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Allergy at the UCC MUW; Adam Przybyłkowski, MD, PhD, Medical Director of the UCC MUW; Prof. Joanna Raszeja-Wyszomirska, Head of the Department of Hepatology UCC MUW; Krzysztof Zając, MA, transplant coordinator at the UCC MUW.
