Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine came to the conclusion that the medical and scientific community should broaden and re-contextualize its understanding of the relationship between cannabis use and heart transplantation. This finding hints at the possibility of an entirely new method for determining whether or not an individual is eligible for a transplant. The results of their research were just recently presented in an article that was published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.
The lead author of the study, Onyedika Ilonze, MD, stated that transplantation is a life-saving option for patients who have reached the end stage of heart failure; however, unanswered questions surrounding the legality and acceptability of cannabis use has prevented many patients from receiving transplants. According to Ilonze, the question of whether or not those who use cannabis should be considered candidates for transplant is controversial.
This presents a conundrum in light of the increasingly favourable regulations permitting the use of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. The predicament is made much more difficult by the growing demand for cardiac transplants
The report presents a review of pre- and post-heart transplant factors associated to cannabis use. The research for the paper was collected from an analysis of more than 200 publications. Additionally, relative clinician views about opiates and cannabis are contrasted in this study. According to the findings of Ilonze and his team, many of the reasons clinicians choose not to pursue transplantation in patients who use cannabis are based on outdated data or have no validity in science.
Within the scope of the report, Ilonze and his team highlight a number of additional critically essential domains in which additional research is required.
Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine came to the conclusion that the medical and scientific community should broaden and re-contextualize its understanding of the relationship between cannabis use and heart transplantation. This finding hints at the possibility of an entirely new method for determining whether or not an individual is eligible for a transplant. The results of their research were just recently presented in an article that was published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.
The lead author of the study, Onyedika Ilonze, MD, stated that transplantation is a life-saving option for patients who have reached the end stage of heart failure; however, unanswered questions surrounding the legality and acceptability of cannabis use has prevented many patients from receiving transplants. According to Ilonze, the question of whether or not those who use cannabis should be considered candidates for transplant is controversial.
This presents a conundrum in light of the increasingly favourable regulations permitting the use of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. The predicament is made much more difficult by the growing demand for cardiac transplants.”
Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine as well as a Member of the Cardiovascular Institute Onyedika Ilonze
The report presents a review of pre- and post-heart transplant factors associated to cannabis use. The research for the paper was collected from an analysis of more than 200 publications. Additionally, relative clinician views about opiates and cannabis are contrasted in this study. According to the findings of Ilonze and his team, many of the reasons clinicians choose not to pursue transplantation in patients who use cannabis are based on outdated data or have no validity in science.
Within the scope of the report, Ilonze and his team highlight a number of additional critically essential domains in which additional research is required.
Ilonze, O.J., et al. (2022) Cannabis Use and Heart Transplantation: Disparities and Opportunities to Improve Outcomes. Circulation. doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.122.009488.