Intraoperative Portal Vein Flow > 123 mL/min Per 100 g Predicts a Better Survival of Patients After Liver Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the importance of intraoperative portal vein flow measurement during liver transplantation in relation to postoperative complications and graft and patient survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review including 291 patients who had all the information and covering a period of 10 years (2007-2017). Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut-off point that would have the greatest impact on the probability of being alive at 5 years was established. In relation to this value, 2 groups were formed (low and high flow) and demographic variables, intraoperative variables, postoperative complications, and graft and patient survival were compared. RESULTS: A portal flow of 123 mL/min per100 g of liver tissue was established (area under the curve = 0.58), obtaining a low-flow (n = 129) and a high-flow group (n = 162). The 2 groups were similar in their preoperative characteristics, except for a higher proportion of preoperative ascites, a higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and a lower weight of donors in the high-flow group. The arterial and portal flows were significantly higher in the high-flow group. In the postoperative period, the high-flow group presented a higher rate of ascites. The 5-year survival rate of patients was significantly higher in the high-flow group (76% vs 84%, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing liver transplantation with an intraoperative portal vein flow measurement >123 mL/min per 100 g present a greater 5-year survival rate.

Shipping impact on liver graft: results of liver transplantation program in Andalusia.

Liver transplantation for the treatment of patients with advanced liver disease is organized according to a waiting list taking into account different criteria. The agreed distribution model in Andalusia assumes that sometimes an organ is extracted in a different province to that where the implantation is to be performed (shipping), which, therefore, increases the graft ischemic time. The aim of the present study was to determine whether transportation of the organ and being harvested by a team other than the implantation team have a negative effect on final patient survival.

Results of liver transplants from donors aged 70 plus: analysis of Andalusian transplant register.

The progressive increase in the number of liver transplantation candidates has brought with it a consequent increase in waiting list mortality, making it necessary to revise donor selection criteria and to analyze the factors that optimize outcomes. This retrospective observational study of 1802 liver transplantations performed in Andalusia between 2000 and 2010 analyzes the outcomes from donors aged 70 years or older (n = 211) in terms of survival rates of the graft and the recipient, the type of transplant, donor age, and DMELD (Donor-Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score. The most frequent reasons for transplantation were alcoholic cirrhosis (45.5%), hepatitis C cirrhosis (20.4%), and liver cancer (11.8%). The overall survival rate at 5 years was 67%; with a significant decrease in survival rates for recipients with a DMELD greater than 1400 (44%). In the 70-year-old-plus donor group, the overall patient and graft survival rates were 57% and 52%, respectively. The re-transplantation rate increased proportionately with donor age: 5.9% between 70 and 74 years, 9.5% from 75 to 79 years, and 17.6% from 80 to 84 years. In the alcoholic cirrhosis recipient sub-group, the overall survival rate at 5 years was 69% (P < .05) compared to 34% in hepatitis C patients (P < .05). The widening of the donor age selection criteria is therefore a safe option, provided that a DMELD score less than 1400 is obtained. Although re-transplantation rates increase progressively with donor age, they remain less than 10%. It is necessary to carefully screen recipients of older organs, taking into account that the best results are obtained for patients who have alcoholic cirrhosis, are hepatitis C negative, and have a DMELD score that is less than 1,400.

Analysis of the recurrence of hepatitis C virus after liver transplantation: results of the Andalusian liver registry.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the factors related to recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We undertook a multicenter, prospective, observational study of OLT patients transplanted due to HCV at four Andalusian transplantation centers from 2005 to 2007. Patients were excluded if their survival was less than 1 month. The analysis included 110 pre-, peri-, and posttransplant variables that could affect HCV recurrence. We also examined the influence of cardiovascular risk factors and immunosuppression on HCV. RESULTS: Among 121 HCV patients, 83 (69%) experienced a histologically significant recurrence of HCV, including 13 (16%) who died compared with 5 of 38 (13%) who did not show a severe recurrence of HCV (P = .3). The mean follow-up was 44 months (range, 4 to 64 months). The mean time to appearance of the relapse was 9 months (range, 1 to 40 months) with no differences according to the type of immunosuppression. Of all study variables, donor age (> 52 years) showed a trend for greater recurrence (P = .1). The use of powerful immunosuppression (three or more drugs), either as induction or as sustained therapy, during the first posttransplantation year was significantly associated with a greater relapse rate (P < .01), albeit with no significant difference according to the type of calcineurin inhibitor. Mycophenolate mofetil was not associated with a greater posttransplantation viral load or earlier relapse, although its use in multiple immunosuppression schedules was associated with a greater relapse rate (P < .01). Survival of patients with recurrent HCV was reduced, although not significantly. Multivariate analysis showed a 4.4 times greater risk for developing de novo diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with a severe relapse of HCV. CONCLUSIONS: There was an important trend toward a greater recurrence rate of HCV among patients who received powerful immunosuppression protocols, particularly during the first 12 months. Special attention should be given to the risk for de novo DM among HCV-positive patients.

Impact of the model for end-stage liver disease score on mortality after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze survival, and mortality, rates as well as its causes during the month following liver transplantation with respect to the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the mortality at 24 and 48 hours as well as 1 and 4 weeks of 380 transplanted patients over the past 7 years with regard to the MELD score. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 55 years. Among subjects with MELD score ≤ 15 (n = 142; 37.36%), there were 34 deaths (23.94%), including 7 (4.92%) who died during the first month. The mean cause of death during this period was hemorrhage (n = 3; 8.8%). Among those with MELD scores between 16 and 18 (n = 76; 20%), the mortality rate increased to 23.68% (n = 18), including 3 who died during the first month (3.94%) with 1 case due to hemorrhage. Among the cohort with MELD scores between 19 and 21 (n = 78; 20.52%), 25 (32.05%) died, including 9 during the first month (11.53%). The most frequent cause of death was septic shock (n = 5; 20%). The mortality rate among patients with a MELD score between 22 and 24 was 22% (n = 11), of which 8% (n = 4) died in the month. The mean cause of death during this period was multiple organ dysfunction (n = 2; 18.1%). The patient group with a MELD score >24 had a 32.3% mortality rate (n = 11); 4 patients died during the first month following transplantation (11.76%). The most frequent cause of death was hemorrhage (n = 2; 18.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Survival during the first month did not seem to be related to the MELD score at the time of transplantation, nor did we observe a direct correlation between the MELD score and the overall risk of mortality.

Have we changed the liver retransplantation survival?

INTRODUCTION: Orthotropic liver retransplantation (RT) is the therapeutic option for the failure of an allograft. Patient and graft survival rates after RT are inferior to primary liver transplantation (OLT). Because of the limited number of donors, it is essential that we optimize their use. We reviewed 68 consecutive retransplantations to evaluate their results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using registry data from our Liver Transplantation Unit, we performed a retrospective cohort study of adult RT between 1991 and 2010. Patients were divided into 2 groups (urgent vs elective RT) to compare the utility of RT. We also analyzed data collected at the time of RT, including age, gender, indications for primary OLT and RT (hepatitis C virus [HCV]+ and HCV-). At various stages (1991-2000, 2001-2006, and 2007-2010), we calculated probability survival curves according to the Kaplan-Meier method with comparisons using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Among 771 adult liver transplantations, 68 (8.8%) underwent late secondary OLT. 21 (31%) cases were urgent and 47 elective RT (69%). Vascular complications was the most common cause for urgent RT, and chronic rejection, for elective RT. Differences were also detected in the overall survival of RT patients; mortality was significantly lower among the urgent procedures (15% vs 47.8%). Significantly differences were also detected in overall survival for RT patients between 2007 and 2010 (81.7% with urgent RT and 76.5% with elective situations). CONCLUSION: These data confirmed the utility of RT in elective and emergency situations. Overall survival of elective RT patients has improved in recent years. Liver RT requires a multidisciplinary team to decide the inclusion and prioritization of elective RT cases on the OLT waiting list.

Indications for and survival after liver retransplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Orthotopic liver retransplantation (re-OLT) is the therapeutic option for hepatic graft failures. Survival after re-OLT is poorer than after primary OLT. Given that there is an organ shortage, it is essential that we optimize our use of this scarce resource. We evaluated the results of re-OLT among 58 consecutive Re-OLT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using registry data from our Liver Transplantation Unit, we performed a retrospective cohort study of adult urgent versus elective re-OLT between 1991 and 2008. We recorded the indications for the initial OLT, and the intervals from OLT to re-OLT as well as age and gender. Using the Rosen model to stratify patients into low-intermediate-, and high-risk groups we calculated survivals. RESULTS: Among 661 adult liver transplantations, 56 patients (8.4%) underwent late re-OLT at a median of 654.4 days post-OLT. There were 17 (29%) urgent re-OLT and 41 elective cases (71%). Vascular complications were the most common cause of urgent re-OLT (64%); elective re-OLT was primarily due to chronic rejection (56.1%). Overall survival for retransplanted patients was significantly lower among urgent procedures (82.4% vs 48.8%), as well as for overall survival after re-OLT for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) versus other etiologies. CONCLUSION: These data confirmed the utility of retransplantation in elective and emergency situations. Liver re-transplantation has a high morbidity and mortality. It requires multidisciplinary experience to decide inclusion and prioritization criteria for re-OLT, especially among patients with HCV.

Rescue immunosuppression with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor drugs in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors behave as potent immunosuppressants, which have the advantages, with respect to calcineurin inhibitors (CNI; cyclosporine or tacrolimus), of no nephrotoxicity but inhibition of cell proliferation. They are particularly suitable for patients with renal insufficiency or neoplasias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight liver transplant patients were immunosuppressed with everolimus or sirolimus as rescue therapy after CNI treatment: 8 hepatocellular carcinomas; 7 de novo malignancies; 6 renal insufficiencies; 3 chronic rejections; 3 acute rejection episodes; and 1 epilepsy. RESULTS: There were 0% tumor recurrences, 50% improvements in 33% no change, and 17% worsening of renal function among cases of renal insufficiency; 0% improvement in cases of chronic rejection, and 33% improvement in acute rejection episodes. There was a 7% incidence of acute rejection episodes, but no kidney failure, gastrointestinal intolerance, hydrocarbon intolerance, hypertension, or arterial or venous thrombosis. Diarrhea occurred in 7%; hypercholesterolemi in 46% hypertriglyceridemia in 50% thrombocytopenia in 14%, leukopenia in 14%, and anemia in 39%. The 12% intercurrent infection rate included oral thrush in 11%. Lower limb edema occurred in 21%; 1 case displayed facial edema and 1, alopecia. CONCLUSIONS: mTOR inhibitors were safe immunosuppressive drugs whose side effects were controlled and easily managed. They have advantages with respect to CNI due to their slight effects on kidney function and lack of promotion of diabetes mellitus. Although their long-term effectiveness for control of neoplastic diseases is yet to be seen, they can be used safely in these patients with a low incidence of rejection. Their effectiveness to control steroid-resistant acute rejection episodes or renal insufficiency seems significant, but they are of doubtful benefit for chronic rejection.