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Objective To explore the predictive values of the initial model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, MELD combined with serum sodium (MELD-Na) score and MELD combined with serum lactic acid (MELD-Lac) score for early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure. Methods Clinical data of 135 recipients undergoing liver transplantation for liver failure were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into the early survival group (n=110) and early death group (n=25) according to the survival at postoperative 28 d. Clinical data were compared between two groups. The optimal cut-off values of MELD, MELD-Na and MELD-Lac scores for predicting early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure were determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The predictive values of different scores for early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure were evaluated. Results Significant differences were observed in the initial MELD, MELD-Na and MELD-Lac scores after liver transplantation between two groups (all P < 0.05). For the initial MELD, MELD-Na and MELD-Lac scores in predicting early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure, the AUC were 0.653 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.515-0.792], 0.648 (95%CI 0.514-0.781) and 0.809 (95%CI 0.718-0.900), the optimal cut-off values were 18.09, 18.09 and 19.97, Youden's indexes were 0.398, 0.380 and 0.525, the sensitivity was 0.680, 0.680 and 0.840, and the specificity was 0.720, 0.700 and 0.690, respectively. The AUC of MELD-Lac score was higher than those of MELD and MELD-Na scores, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). Conclusions Compared with the initial MELD and MELD-Na scores after liver transplantation, the initial MELD-Lac score is a more reliable index for predicting early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure.
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Objective To evaluate the predictive values of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and easy albumin-bilirubin (EZ-ALBI) scores for early survival (postoperative 3 months) of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 137 recipients diagnosed with liver failure and underwent liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cut-off values of preoperative ALBI, EZ-ALBI and MELD scores to predict early survival of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation were determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The risk factors of early death of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The effects of different ALBI and EZ-ALBI levels upon early prognosis of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation were analyzed. Results The optimal cut-off values of ALBI, EZ-ALBI and MELD scores were 0.21, -19.83 and 24.36, and the AUC was 0.706, 0.697 and 0.686, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that preoperative alanine aminotransferase(ALT)≥50 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase(AST)≥60 U/L, ALBI score≥0.21 and EZ-ALBI score≥-19.83 were the risk factors for early postoperative death of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative ALBI score≥0.21 was an independent risk factor for early postoperative death of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation (P < 0.05). According to the optimal cut-off value of ALBI score, the early survival rates in the ALBI < 0.21 (n=46) and ALBI≥0.21(n=91) groups were 93.5% and 64.8%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). According to the optimal cut-off value of EZ-ALBI score, the early survival rates in the EZ-ALBI < -19.83(n=60) and EZ-ALBI≥-19.83(n=77) groups were 88.3% and 63.6%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions Preoperative ALBI score is of high predictive value for early survival of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation, which could be utilized as a reference parameter for selecting liver transplant recipients.
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Objective To compare the difference of clinical efficacy between surgical magnifying glass and surgical microscope assisted hepatic artery reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods Clinical data of 272 donors and recipients undergoing LDLT were retrospectively analyzed. According to different patterns of hepatic artery reconstruction, all recipients were divided into the magnifying glass group (n=189) and microscope group (n=83). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hepatic artery reconstruction site, diameter of anastomosis, incidence of postoperative complications and survival rate of recipients were statistically compared between two groups. Results Compared with the microscope group, the operation time, hepatic artery reconstruction time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly less in the magnifying glass group (all P < 0.001). The most common site of hepatic artery reconstruction was the right hepatic artery in two groups, and the diameter of anastomosis was (2.1±0.9) mm in the magnifying glass group and (2.1±0.8) mm in the microscope group, with no statistical significance between two groups (P > 0.05). The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates of recipients in the magnifying glass group were 88%, 86% and 85%, which did not significantly differ from 89%, 87% and 86% in the microscope group (all P > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications did not significantly differ between two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions The efficacy and safety of hepatic artery reconstruction in LDLT under surgical magnifying glass are equivalent to those under surgical microscope, with less operation workload and intraoperative blood loss. For experienced transplantation surgeons, it is recommended to perform hepatic artery reconstruction assisted by surgical magnifying glass.
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Objective To analyze the risk factors and predictors related to postoperative delirium(POD) in liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 232 liver transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed. Recipients were assigned to POD group (n=60) and non-POD (n=172) group according to the presence of POD. The intra- and post-operative conditions were compared between the two groups of liver transplant recipients. The risk factors for occurrence of POD in liver transplant recipients were analyzed using multifactorial analysis. And the value of predicting the occurrence of POD in liver transplant recipients according to the risk factors were assessed. Results The incidence of POD in liver transplant recipients was 25.9%. The operation time and anhepatic phase in the POD group were longer than those in the non-POD group. Intraoperative infusion of erythrocyte, infusion of cryoprecipitate, and lactic acid level were higher than those in the non-POD group (all P < 0.05). The levels of postoperative alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR), and plasma fibrinogen in the POD group were significantly higher than those in the non-POD group (all P < 0.05). Preoperative hepatic encephalopathy, elevated blood ammonia, high score of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), elevated postoperative AST level and long intraoperative anhepatic phase were the independent risk factors for POD in liver transplant recipients (all P < 0.05). Preoperative elevated blood ammonia and high MELD score showed profound value in predicting the occurrence of POD in liver transplant recipients, with best cut-off values of 42.6 μmol/L and 18 points, sensitivity of 0.650 and 0.767 as well as specificity of 0.826 and 0.727, respectively. Conclusions The incidence of POD is high in liver transplant recipients. Preoperative hepatic encephalopathy, elevated blood ammonia, high MELD score, elevated postoperative AST level, and long intraoperative anhepatic phase are independent risk factors for liver transplant POD. Preoperative elevated blood ammonia and high MELD score are predictors of POD in transplant recipients.
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Liver transplantation, although recognized as the only effective radical treatment for severe liver disease, might be accompanied by high surgical risks, high perioperative mortality and high postoperative complications. Considering the shortage of donor liver and related surgical risks, it is necessary to strictly control the indication of operation and the opportunity of transplantation. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and comprehensive evaluation of the condition of patients with severe liver disease to be treated by liver transplantation is an important part in determining the treatment plan. At present, there are many evaluation criteria for severe liver disease. In addition to the classic ChildTurcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, many other evaluation criteria have also been developed. All transplant centers have their own choices and thus there is no uniform diagnostic criterion, with disputes among various criteria, which is exactly what this paper aims to summarize.
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Objective To evaluate the value of T1 mapping in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for the assessment of liver function with HBV-related cirrhosis according to the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score.Methods 158 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis were included in this prospective study,and divided into MELD score ≤10 (n =103) group and MELD score ＞ 10 (n =55) group.All patients un derwent non-enhanced and Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI of liver,and T1 mapping was performed using Look-Locker sequences with the same scan parameters and geometry position (the level of porta hepatis) preand post-contrast at 5,10,15 and 20 minutes after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration.T1 relaxation times of the liver were measured and reduction rates of T1 relaxation times (△T1) were calculated.Independent samples t test was performed to compare T1 relaxation times and △T1 between MELD score≤ 10 and MELD score ＞ 10 groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were done to differentiate the diagnostic performance of T1 relaxation times and △T1 between MELD score ≤ 10 and MELD score ＞ 10 groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyse the correction between T1 relaxation times,△T1 and MELD scores.Results T1 relaxation times pre-and post-contrast at 5,10,15 and 20 minutes and △T1 post-contrast at 5,10,15 and 20 minutes of MELD score≤10 group were (889.3 ±91.2) ms,(377.5 ± 55.0) ms,(350.8±61.2)ms,(328.0±69.4)ms,(302.7±73.7)ms,(57.4±5.6)％,(60.4± 6.5) ％,(63.0 ± 7.3) ％ and (65.9 ± 7.8) ％,respectively,and those of MELD score ＞ 10 group were (936.6 ±95.4) ms,(460.2 ±68.5) ms,(457.5 ±94.5) ms,(453.4 ± 116.4) ms,(444.6 ± 134.6) ms,(50.8 ± 5.7) ％,(51.3 ± 7.9) ％,(51.8 ± 10.3) ％ and (52.8 ± 12.2) ％,respectively,and T1 relaxation times and △T1 at all time points were significantly different (P ＜ 0.05) between the two groups.The areas under ROC curve of T1 relaxation time pre-and post-contrast at 5,10,15,20 minutes and △T1 post-contrast at 5,10,15,20 minutes for differentiating MELD score ≤ 10 and MELD score ＞ 10 groups were 0.638,0.824,0.832,0.832,0.830 and 0.795,0.814,0.820,0.825,respectively.The correlation coefficients between T1 relaxation time pre-and post-contrast at 5,10,15,20 minutes,△T1 post-contrast at 5,10,15,20 minutes and MELD scores were 0.256,0.499,0.540,0.538,0.548,-0.412,-0.495,-0.507 and-0.527,respectively.Conclusions T1 mapping on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI is helpful for evaluating liver function with HBV-related cirrhosis.T1 relaxation times post-contrast on different time points were equally accurate as △T1.T1 relaxation times post-contrast and △T1 were superior to T1 relaxation times pre-contrast.