ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Transient elastography is a noninvasive method used to estimate the liver stiffness. There are few studies using elastography in acute cellular rejection (ACR). ACR is one of the main complications after liver transplantation. The golden pattern diagnostic is by liver biopsy, which is invasive and subject to complications. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the use of elastography in ACR. METHODS: Prospective and comparative study of patients transplanted from January 2017 to March 2019. Comparison group (ACR vs non-ACR) through liver biopsy. The variables analyzed were liver elastography (FibroScan and acoustic radiation force impulse [ARFI]), laboratory tests, liver biopsy, and ultrasound. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare independent samples, and P < .05 was considered significant. All tests performed with α of 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95%, by IBM SPSS 25 software. RESULTS: Forty patients, 25 (62.5%) with ACR and 15 (37.5%) without ACR. Five (20%) cases with early acute rejection, late acute rejection in 19 cases (76%), and chronic rejection in 3 (12%). Comparative ACR vs non-ACR showed results of total bilirubin (P = .03), direct bilirubin (P = .015), aspartate aminotransferase (0.001), alanine aminotransaminase (0.001), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (P = .026). The mean elastography (FibroScan) value in ACR was 12.5 ± 8.2 kPa and without was 8.9 ± 3.7 kPa, P = .05. The mean elastography (ARFI) in ACR was 1.9 ± 0.6 m/s and without was 1.6 ± 0.2 m/s, P > .05. The receiver operator characteristic curve analysis shows the FibroScan for ACR with AUC 0.688 (95% CI 0.511-0.865), P = .049, positive predictive value 0.76, and negative predictive value 0.60. CONCLUSIONS: Transient elastography is an important tool for ACR. There is a significant correlation between ACR and the value of hepatic elastography.
Subject(s)
Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods , Graft Rejection/diagnosis , Liver Transplantation/adverse effects , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) has evolved to improve graft and patient survival. Early graft dysfunction (EGD) and primary nonfunction are an important cause of morbi-mortality. We had formulated the scientific hypothesis that the liver function can be evaluated by the indocyanine green (IG) after LT. The aim was to evaluate the EGD by plasma disappearance rate (PDR) of IG after LT. METHOD: Prospective and observational clinical study, from July 2014 to June 2015. IG evaluation by pulse densitometry, Limon system. Degree analysis of ischemia and reperfusion injury in groups as follows: 1 (G0/G1/G2) and 2 (G3/G4). Donor risk index (DRI), Wagener and Olthoff criteria, and prognostic predictors were evaluated. All tests were performed with bidirectional α of 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95% and support by IBM SPSS 25. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients, mean age 53.3 ± 14.0 years and a majority of men and hepatitis C virus. PDR were more relevant with high degrees of ischemia and reperfusion injury grades G3/G4 (P = .030). The PDR related to the donor risk index showed positive significance at DRI >1.5 (P = .066). The retention rate of IG at 15 minutes demonstrated potential in assessing graft loss or death (P = .063). CONCLUSION: EGD can be assessed by PDR with high degrees of ischemia and reperfusion injury (G3/G4) and with marginal donors (DRI >1.5). The retention rate of IG at 15 minutes demonstrated potential in assessing graft loss or death of the patient.
