Young donors with severe acute kidney injury offer an opportunity to expand the donor pool.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed our experience transplanting kidneys from young donors with severe acute kidney injury. METHODS: We performed a single center retrospective analysis of 315 kidney transplants between 1/1/2014-12/31/2016. Donor kidneys were classified according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. A case-matched cohort was created using recipient age, history of diabetes, donor specific antibody, donor age and donor after cardiac death. Primary endpoints were graft function measured by eGFR at 90 days and at 1-year. RESULTS: Stage 3 AKIN recipients had significantly greater eGFR at one year (63.9 ml/min v. 51.2 ml/min, p < 0.001) compared to those with Stage 0 AKIN. This difference was abrogated when compared to a case matched cohort (eGFR at 90 days or 1 year; p > 0.05). Donor and recipient characteristics on eGFR at 1 year were analyzed using linear and logistic regression. Only donor age had a significant impact on recipient eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Donor kidneys with severe acute injury can achieve optimal 1-year outcomes. Donor age is the most significant predictor of eGFR >45 ml/min after transplant.

Improving pancreas graft utilization through importation.

BACKGROUND: We analyze our outcomes utilizing imported allografts as a strategy to shorten wait list time for pancreas transplantation. METHODS: This is an observational retrospective cohort of 26 recipients who received either a locally procured (n = 16) or an imported pancreas graft (n = 10) at our center between January 2014 and May 2017. Wait list times of this cohort were compared to UNOS Region 9 (New York State and Western Vermont). Hospital financial data were also reviewed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of this strategy. RESULTS: Imported pancreas grafts had significantly increased cold ischemia times (CIT) and peak lipase (PL) levels compared to locally procured grafts (CIT 827 vs 497 minutes; P = .001, PL 563 vs 157 u/L; P = .023, respectively). There were no differences in graft or patient survival. The median wait time was significantly lower for simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplants at our center (518 days, n = 21) compared to Region 9 (1001 days, n = 65) P = .038. Despite financial concerns, the cost of transport for imported grafts was offset by lower standard acquisition costs. CONCLUSIONS: Imported pancreas grafts may be a cost-effective strategy to increase organ utilization and shorten wait times in regions with longer waiting times.

Increased access to transplantation of highly sensitized patients under the new kidney allocation system. A single center experience.

We aimed to investigate the impact of the new kidney allocation system (KAS) on the rate of transplantation of sensitized patients at our center. Pre-KAS and post-KAS intervals were Jan 1st to Dec 3rd 2014 and Jan 1st 2015 to Dec 3rd 2015, respectively. The number of deceased-donor crossmatches performed by flow cytometry increased from 715 pre-KAS to 1188 post-KAS. The percent of crossmatches performed for sensitized patients with calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA)>0% increased from 19% pre-KAS to 26% post-KAS (p<0.0001). The number of deceased-donor kidney transplants performed at our center increased from 115 pre-KAS to 125 post-KAS (9% increase). There was a significant increase in the percentage of deceased-donor kidney transplants received by sensitized candidates (from 14% to 26% pre- and post-KAS, respectively; p<0.0001). The highest increase was seen in the patients with cPRA>98%, from 0% to 9%, followed by the group with cPRA 50-79%, from 5% to 8%. This increase was balanced by a decrease of 12% in the percentage of non-sensitized recipients, and a modest decrease of 1% in the group with cPRA 1-49%. In conclusion, transplant rate has increased in sensitized patients after KAS. The highest increase was observed among highly sensitized patients (cPRA>98%).

(90) Y radiation lobectomy: Outcomes following surgical resection in patients with hepatic tumors and small future liver remnant volumes.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to assess operative, post-operative, and long-term outcomes in patients who underwent radiation lobectomy (RL) for tumor control and/or hypertrophy of small future liver remnant (FLR) prior to resection. METHODS: Right lobar +/- segment 4 radioembolization was performed prior to lobectomy/tri-segmentectomy in patients with hepatic tumor but inadequate FLR. Parenchymal/tumor volumes were calculated from pre/post-RL imaging; FLR/%FLR hypertrophy were determined. Complications were graded by the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (HCC n = 10, cholangiocarcinoma n = 2, mCRC n = 1) underwent RL prior to resection. The median time between RL and post-RL imaging was 40 days (23-190 days); the median time to resection was 86 days (30-210 days). Median FLR increased significantly [pre: 33% (22-43%); post: 43% (29-69%), P < 0.01] to yield a median %FLR hypertrophy of 30% (4-105%). The median hospital stay after resection was 4 days (3-11 days). Transient hepatobiliary toxicities normalized post-operatively. Ninety-two percent of resected tumors had >50% pathologic necrosis. Median follow up time after surgery was 604 days (144-1,416 days); one death occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, radiation lobectomy was a safe and effective method to achieve remnant liver hypertrophy while providing tumor control. This approach may facilitate safe resection and favorable post-operative outcomes.J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:99-105. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

New Tools in Experimental Cellular Therapy for the Treatment of Liver Diseases.

The current standard of care for end stage liver disease is orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Through improvement in surgical techniques, immunosuppression, and general medical care, liver transplantation has become an effective treatment over the course of the last half-century. Unfortunately, due to the limited availability of donor organs, there is a finite limit to the number of patients who will benefit from this therapy. This review will discuss current research in experimental cellular therapies for acute, chronic, and metabolic liver failure that may be appropriate when liver transplantation is not an immediate option.

Evaluation and management of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The burden of hepatocellular carcinoma is rising and anticipated to escalate and while the best chance for long term cure remains transplantation, however the shortage of available organs remains a limitation. Liver directed therapy can serve the role of bridge/downstaging to transplant or as palliative care. Despite an improved overall survival among patients with HCC, due to advancements in surgical techniques, liver directed and systemic therapy, the 5 year overall survival remains low at 18% high-lightening the need for novel therapies. Surveillance for HCC is key to detect disease at an early stage to increase the chances for a potentially curative option.