Prognostic Scores for Ursodeoxycholic Acid-Treated Patients Predict Graft Loss and Mortality in Recurrent Primary Biliary Cholangitis after Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Recurrent primary biliary cholangitis (rPBC) develops in approximately 30% of patients and negatively impacts graft and overall patient survival after liver transplantation (LT). There is a lack of data regarding the response rate to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in rPBC. We evaluated a large, international, multi-center cohort to assess the performance of scores for PBC to predict the risk of graft and overall survival after LT in patients with rPBC. METHODS: A total of 332 patients with rPBC after LT were evaluated from 28 centres across Europe, North and South America. The median age at the time of rPBC was 58.0 years [IQR 53.2 - 62.6], and 298 patients (90%) were females. The biochemical response was measured with serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin, and Paris-2, GLOBE and UK-PBC scores at 1 year after UDCA initiation. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 8.7 years [IQR 4.3 - 12.9] after rPBC diagnosis, 52 patients (16%) had graft loss and 103 (31%) died. After 1 year of UDCA initiation the histological stage at rPBC (HR, 3.97, 95%CI 1.36-11.55, P=0.01), use of prednisone (HR 3.18, 95%CI 1.04-9.73, P=0.04), ALP xULN (HR 1.59, 95%CI 1.26-2.01, P<0.001), Paris-2 criteria (HR 4.14, 95%CI 1.57-10.92, P=0.004), GLOBE score (HR 2.82, 95%CI 1.71-4.66, P<0.001), and the UK-PBC score (HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.03-1.09, P<0.001) were associated with graft survival in the multivariate analysis. Similar results were found in the overall survival analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with rPBC and disease activity as indicated by standard PBC risk scores have impaired outcomes, supporting efforts to treat recurrent disease in similar ways to pre-transplant PBC. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: One in three people who have liver transplantation for primary biliary cholangitis develop recurrent disease in their new liver. Patients with recurrent primary biliary cholangitis and incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid according to conventional prognostic scores have worse clinical outcomes, with higher risk of graft loss and mortality in similar ways to the disease before liver transplantation. Our results emphasized supporting efforts to treat recurrent disease in similar ways to pre-transplant primary biliary cholangitis.

A holistic evaluation of patients with chronic Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection enrolled in the Italian PITER-B and Delta cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to characterize the epidemiologic and comorbidities profiles of patients with chronic Hepatitis D (CHD) followed in clinical practice in Italy and explored their interferon (IFN) eligibility. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of the PITER cohort consisting of consecutive HBsAg-positive patients from 59 centers over the period 2019-2023. Multivariable analysis was performed by logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of 5,492 HBsAg-positive enrolled patients, 4,152 (75.6%) were screened for HDV, 422 (10.2%) were anti-HDV positive. Compared with HBsAg mono-infected, anti-HDV positive patients were more often younger, non-Italians, with a history of drug use, had elevated alanine transaminase (ALT), cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Compared with Italians, anti-HDV positive non-Italians were younger (42.2% age≤40 years vs. 2.1%; p<0.001), more often females (males 43.0% vs. 68.6%; p<0.001) with less frequent cirrhosis and HCC. HDV-RNA was detected in 63.2% of anti-HDV-positive patients, who were more likely to have elevated ALT, cirrhosis, and HCC. Extrahepatic comorbidities were present in 47.4% of anti-HDV positive patients and could affect the eligibility of IFN-containing therapies in at least 53.0% of patients in care. CONCLUSIONS: CHD affects young, foreign-born patients and older Italians, of whom two-thirds had cirrhosis or HCC. Comorbidities were frequent in both Italians and non-Italians and impacted eligibility for IFN.

Vaccination Recommendations in Solid Organ Transplant Adult Candidates and Recipients.

Prevention of infections is crucial in solid organ transplant (SOT) candidates and recipients. These patients are exposed to an increased infectious risk due to previous organ insufficiency and to pharmacologic immunosuppression. Besides infectious-related morbidity and mortality, this vulnerable group of patients is also exposed to the risk of acute decompensation and organ rejection or failure in the pre- and post-transplant period, respectively, since antimicrobial treatments are less effective than in the immunocompetent patients. Vaccination represents a major preventive measure against specific infectious risks in this population but as responses to vaccines are reduced, especially in the early post-transplant period or after treatment for rejection, an optimal vaccination status should be obtained prior to transplantation whenever possible. This review reports the currently available data on the indications and protocols of vaccination in SOT adult candidates and recipients.

Current Endovascular Management of Arterial Complications After Pediatric Liver Transplantation in a Tertiary Center.

PURPOSE: Pediatric liver transplant surgery is burdened by arterial complications whose endovascular treatment is not standardized. We report the outcomes of a cohort of pediatric recipients with hepatic artery complications treated by endoluminal procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2019 to December 2022, consecutive transplanted pediatric patients who underwent endovascular treatment of hepatic artery complications were reviewed. The analysis included: type of complication (occlusion, stenosis, pseudoaneurysm); onset (acute = < 15 days, subacute = 15-90 days, late = > 90 days); endovascular technique (angioplasty, stenting); complications and outcomes. Technical success was defined as the opacification of the hepatic artery at the final angiogram with < 50% residual stenosis and no pseudoaneurysms. Clinical success was defined by graft's and patient's survival. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (8 males; median age 33 months, IQR 9-103) underwent 21 hepatic arteriography procedures for predominantly acute or subacute occlusions (n = 7) or stenosis (n = 11) with concurrent pseudoaneurysms (n = 4). Primary and secondary technical success was achieved in 13/18 and 3/3 procedures, respectively, with overall technical success of 76%. Angioplasty alone was successful in 5/21 procedures; stent-retriever thrombectomy was performed in one occlusion with thrombosis; stenting was required in 9/17 (53%) patients. Clinical success was obtained in 14/17 (82%) patients with hepatic artery patency after a median of 367 days (IQR 114.5-500). Clinical failure occurred in 3 permanent occlusions, with 2 deaths and 1 re-transplantation. Procedure-related complications included minor events in 3/17 (18%) patients and 1/17 (6%) death. CONCLUSION: In liver transplanted children with hepatic artery complications, endovascular treatment may provide clinical success, with stenting often required in acute and subacute conditions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

Extended criteria liver donation after circulatory death with prolonged warm ischemia: a pilot experience of normothermic regional perfusion and no subsequent ex-situ machine perfusion.

BACKGROUND: Livers from controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) with very prolonged warm ischemic time (WIT) are regularly transplanted after abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (aNRP) plus ex-situ machine perfusion (MP). Considering aNRP as in-situ MP, we investigated whether the results of a pilot experience of extended criteria cDCD liver transplantation (LT) with prolonged WIT, with aNRP alone, were comparable to the best possible outcomes in low-risk cDCD LT. METHODS: Prospectively collected data on 24 cDCD LT, with aNRP alone, were analyzed. RESULTS: The median total and asystolic WIT were 51 and 25 min. Measures within benchmark cut-offs were: median duration of surgery (5.9 h); median intraoperative transfusions (3 units of red blood cells); need for renal replacement therapy (2/24 patients); median intensive care stay (3 days); key complications; overall morbidity, graft loss, and retransplantation up to 12 months; 12-month mortality (2/21 patients). The median hospital stay (33 days, due to logistics) and mortality up to 6 months (2/24 patients, due to graft-unrelated causes) exceeded benchmark thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot experience suggests that livers from cDCD with very prolonged WIT that appear viable during adequate quality aNRP may be safely transplanted, with no need for ex-situ MP, with considerable resource savings.

A territory-wide opportunistic, hospital-based HCV screening in the general population from northern Italy: The 1969-1989 birth-cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The World Health Organization (WHO) goal of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) elimination by 2030 rose awareness about the need of screening plans, worldwide. In Italy, graduated screening starting from people born in 1969-1989 might be the most-effective strategy. We performed an opportunistic HCV screening study in the general population attending health facilities in Lombardy region, Northern Italy. METHODS: This is a prospective, multicenter, territory-wide, opportunistic study supported by the Regional Government of Lombardy, Italy. Between June 2022 and December 2022, all subjects born in 1969-1989, hospitalized or accessing blood collection centres were offered anti-HCV and HCV-RNA tests. Patients with known anti-HCV positivity and/or previous anti-HCV treatment were excluded. Demographic features were uploaded into a regional web-based platform. RESULTS: In total, 120 193 individuals were screened in 75 centres. Mean age was 44 (±6) years, 65.2% were females, 83.7% were tested at blood collection centres. Anti-HCV tested positive in 604 (0.50%) subjects: mean age 47 (±5), 51.1% females. HCV seroprevalence was higher in males (p < 0.00001), elderly (p < 0.00001) and in- vs. outpatients (p = 0.0009). HCV-RNA was detectable in 125 out of 441 (28.3%) anti-HCV positive subjects. Actively infected patients were 46 (±6) years old, mainly males (56.8%). The overall prevalence of active HCV infection was 0.10%, higher in elderly (p = 0.0003) and in in-patients (p = 0.0007). Among 93 HCV-RNA positive patients, the median age was 48 years, 58% males, 62% Italian born, median HCV-RNA levels were 6,1 log IU/mL, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values 5.5 (3.1-29.9) kPa and ALT levels 48 U/L. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of active HCV infection in the 1969-1989 population attending health facilities in Lombardy was low. Most viremic patients were Italian-born, with mild liver disease but high-HCV-RNA levels. Due to the higher prevalence in the elderly, the extension of such opportunistic screening programs to lower birth cohorts would be warranted.

The Italian data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in transplanted patients support an organ specific immune response in liver recipients.

Introduction: The study of immune response to SARSCoV-2 infection in different solid organ transplant settings represents an opportunity for clarifying the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and the immune system. In our nationwide registry study from Italy, we specifically evaluated, during the first wave pandemic, i.e., in non-vaccinated patients, COVID-19 prevalence of infection, mortality, and lethality in liver transplant recipients (LTRs), using non-liver solid transplant recipients (NL-SOTRs) and the Italian general population (GP) as comparators. Methods: Case collection started from February 21 to June 22, 2020, using the data from the National Institute of Health and National Transplant Center, whereas the data analysis was performed on September 30, 2020.To compare the sex- and age-adjusted distribution of infection, mortality, and lethality in LTRs, NL-SOTRs, and Italian GP we applied an indirect standardization method to determine the standardized rate. Results: Among the 43,983 Italian SOTRs with a functioning graft, LTRs accounted for 14,168 patients, of whom 89 were SARS-CoV-2 infected. In the 29,815 NL-SOTRs, 361 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were observed. The geographical distribution of the disease was highly variable across the different Italian regions. The standardized rate of infection, mortality, and lethality rates in LTRs resulted lower compared to NL-SOTRs [1.02 (95%CI 0.81-1.23) vs. 2.01 (95%CI 1.8-2.2); 1.0 (95%CI 0.5-1.5) vs. 4.5 (95%CI 3.6-5.3); 1.6 (95%CI 0.7-2.4) vs. 2.8 (95%CI 2.2-3.3), respectively] and comparable to the Italian GP. Discussion: According to the most recent studies on SOTRs and SARS-CoV-2 infection, our data strongly suggest that, in contrast to what was observed in NL-SOTRs receiving a similar immunosuppressive therapy, LTRs have the same risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, mortality, and lethality observed in the general population. These results suggest an immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in LTRS that is different from NL-SOTRs, probably related to the ability of the grafted liver to induce immunotolerance.

Hepatic encephalopathy increases the risk for mortality and hospital readmission in decompensated cirrhotic patients: a prospective multicenter study.

Introduction: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) affects the survival and quality of life of patients with cirrhosis. However, longitudinal data on the clinical course after hospitalization for HE are lacking. The aim was to estimate mortality and risk for hospital readmission of cirrhotic patients hospitalized for HE. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 112 consecutive cirrhotic patients hospitalized for HE (HE group) at 25 Italian referral centers. A cohort of 256 patients hospitalized for decompensated cirrhosis without HE served as controls (no HE group). After hospitalization for HE, patients were followed-up for 12 months until death or liver transplant (LT). Results: During follow-up, 34 patients (30.4%) died and 15 patients (13.4%) underwent LT in the HE group, while 60 patients (23.4%) died and 50 patients (19.5%) underwent LT in the no HE group. In the whole cohort, age (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06), HE (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.08-2.56), ascites (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.55-4.23), and sodium levels (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.99) were significant risk factors for mortality. In the HE group, ascites (HR 5.07, 95% CI 1.39-18.49) and BMI (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75-0.98) were risk factors for mortality, and HE recurrence was the first cause of hospital readmission. Conclusion: In patients hospitalized for decompensated cirrhosis, HE is an independent risk factor for mortality and the most common cause of hospital readmission compared with other decompensation events. Patients hospitalized for HE should be evaluated as candidates for LT.

Metabolic dysfunction outperforms ultrasonographic steatosis to stratify hepatocellular carcinoma risk in patients with advanced hepatitis C cured with direct-acting antivirals.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Metabolic dysfunction (MD)-associated fatty liver disease has been proposed to identify individuals at risk of liver events irrespectively of the contemporary presence of other liver diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of MD in patients cured of chronic hepatis C (CHC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed data from a real-life cohort of 2611 Italian patients cured of CHC with direct antiviral agents and advanced liver fibrosis, without HBV/HIV, transplantation and negative for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) history (age 61.4 ± 11.8 years, 63.9% males, median follow-up 34, 24-40 months). Information about ultrasonographic steatosis (US) after sustained virological response was available in 1978. RESULTS: MD affected 58% of patients, diagnosed due to the presence of diabetes (MD-diabetes, 19%), overweight without diabetes (MD-overweight, 37%) or multiple metabolic abnormalities without overweight and diabetes (MD-metabolic, 2%). MD was more frequent than and not coincident with US (32% MD-only, 23% MD-US and 13% US-only). MD was associated with higher liver stiffness (p < 0.05), particularly in patients with MD-diabetes and MD-only subgroups, comprising older individuals with more advanced metabolic and liver disease (p < 0.05). At Cox proportional hazard multivariable analysis, MD was associated with increased risk of HCC (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.27-3.04; p = 0.0023). Further classification according to diagnostic criteria improved risk stratification (p < 0.0001), with the highest risk observed in patients with MD-diabetes. Patients with MD-only appeared at highest risk since the sustained virological response achievement (p = 0.008), with a later catch-up of those with combined MD-US, whereas US-only was not associated with HCC. CONCLUSIONS: MD is more prevalent than US in patients cured of CHC with advanced fibrosis and identifies more accurately individuals at risk of developing HCC.

Hepatotoxicity of Small Molecule Protein Kinase Inhibitors for Cancer.

Small molecule protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs) have become an effective strategy for cancer patients. However, hepatotoxicity is a major safety concern of these drugs, since the majority are reported to increase transaminases, and few of them (Idelalisib, Lapatinib, Pazopanib, Pexidartinib, Ponatinib, Regorafenib, Sunitinib) have a boxed label warning. The exact rate of PKI-induced hepatoxicity is not well defined due to the fact that the majority of data arise from pre-registration or registration trials on fairly selected patients, and the post-marketing data are often based only on the most severe described cases, whereas most real practice studies do not include drug-related hepatotoxicity as an end point. Although these side effects are usually reversible by dose adjustment or therapy suspension, or by switching to an alternative PKI, and fatality is uncommon, all patients undergoing PKIs should be carefully pre-evaluated and monitored. The management of this complication requires an individually tailored reappraisal of the risk/benefit ratio, especially in patients who are responding to therapy. This review reports the currently available data on the risk and management of hepatotoxicity of all the approved PKIs.

Trends in chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Italy over a 10-year period: Clues from the nationwide PITER and MASTER cohorts toward elimination.

OBJECTIVES: The study measures trends in the profile of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus linked to care in Italy. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter, observational cohort (PITER cohort) of consecutive patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) over the period 2019-2021 from 46 centers was evaluated. The reference was the MASTER cohort collected over the years 2012-2015. Standard statistical methods were used. RESULTS: The PITER cohort enrolled 4583 patients, of whom 21.8% were non-Italian natives. Compared with those in MASTER, the patients were older and more often female. The prevalence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) declined (7.2% vs 12.3; P <0.0001) and that of anti-hepatitis D virus (HDV) remained stable (9.3% vs 8.3%). In both cohorts, about 25% of the patients had cirrhosis, and those in the PITER cohort were older. HBeAg-positive was 5.0% vs 12.6% (P <0.0001) and anti-HDV positive 24.8% vs 17.5% (P <0.0017). In the logistic model, the variables associated with cirrhosis were anti-HDV-positive (odds ratio = 10.08; confidence interval 7.63-13.43), age, sex, and body mass index; the likelihood of cirrhosis was reduced by 40% in the PITER cohort. Among non-Italians, 12.3% were HBeAg-positive (vs 23.4% in the MASTER cohort; P <0.0001), and 12.3% were anti-HDV-positive (vs 11.1%). Overall, the adherence to the European Association for the Study of the Liver recommendations for antiviral treatment increased over time. CONCLUSION: Chronic hepatitis B virus infection appears to be in the process of becoming under control in Italy; however, HDV infection is still a health concern in patients with cirrhosis and in migrants.

AFP score and metroticket 2.0 perform similarly and could be used in a "within-ALL" clinical decision tool.

Background & Aims: Two recently developed composite models, the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) score and Metroticket 2.0, could be used to select patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are candidates for liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to compare the predictive performance of both models and to evaluate the net risk reclassification of post-LT recurrence between them using each model's original thresholds. Methods: This multicenter cohort study included 2,444 adult patients who underwent LT for HCC in 47 centers from Europe and Latin America. A competing risk regression analysis estimating sub-distribution hazard ratios (SHRs) and 95% CIs for recurrence was used (Fine and Gray method). Harrell's adapted c-statistics were estimated. The net reclassification index for recurrence was compared based on each model's original thresholds. Results: During a median follow-up of 3.8 years, there were 310 recurrences and 496 competing events (20.3%). Both models predicted recurrence, HCC survival and survival better than Milan criteria (p <0.0001). At last tumor reassessment before LT, c-statistics did not significantly differ between the two composite models, either as original or threshold versions, for recurrence (0.72 vs. 0.68; p = 0.06), HCC survival, and overall survival after LT. We observed predictive gaps and overlaps between the model's thresholds, and no significant gain on reclassification. Patients meeting both models ("within-ALL") at last tumor reassessment presented the lowest 5-year cumulative incidence of HCC recurrence (7.7%; 95% CI 5.1-11.5) and higher 5-year post-LT survival (70.0%; 95% CI 64.9-74.6). Conclusions: In this multicenter cohort, Metroticket 2.0 and the AFP score demonstrated a similar ability to predict HCC recurrence post-LT. The combination of these composite models might be a promising clinical approach. Impact and implications: Composite models were recently proposed for the selection of liver transplant (LT) candidates among individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We found that both the AFP score and Metroticket 2.0 predicted post-LT HCC recurrence and survival better than Milan criteria; the Metroticket 2.0 did not result in better reclassification for transplant selection compared to the AFP score, with predictive gaps and overlaps between the two models; patients who met low-risk thresholds for both models had the lowest 5-year recurrence rate. We propose prospectively testing the combination of both models, to further optimize the LT selection process for candidates with HCC.

Italian Real-World Analysis of the Impact of Polypharmacy and Aging on the Risk of Multiple Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs) in HCV Patients Treated with Pangenotypic Direct-Acting Antivirals (pDAA).

Purpose: The study aims at investigating the impact of polymedication and aging in the prevalence of multiple drug-drug interactions (DDIs) on HCV patients treated with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB). Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis based on administrative data covering around 6.9 million individuals. Patients treated with SOF/VEL or GLE/PIB over November 2017-March 2020 were included. Index date corresponded to SOF/VEL or GLE/PIB first prescription during such period; patients were followed up for treatment duration. Analyses were then focused on patients with ≥2 comedications at risk of multiple DDIs. The severity and the effect of multiple DDI were identified using the Liverpool University tool. Results: A total of 2057 patients with SOF/VEL and 2128 with GLE/PIB were selected. Mean age of SOF/VEL patients was 58.5 years, higher than GLE/PIB ones (52.5 years) (p < 0.001), and patients >50 years were more present in SOF/VEL vs GLE/PIB cohorts: 72% vs 58%, (p < 0.001). Most prescribed co-medications were cardiovascular, alimentary and nervous system drugs. Proportion of patients with ≥2 comedications was higher in SOF/VEL compared to GLE/PIB cohort (56.5% vs 32.3%, p < 0.001). Those at high-risk of multiple DDIs accounted for 11.6% (N = 135) of SOF/VEL and 19.6% (N = 135) of GLE/PIB (p < 0.001) patients with ≥2 comedications. Among them, the potential effect of DDI was a decrease of DAA serum levels (11% of SOF/VEL and GLE/PIB patients) and an increased concentration of comedication serum levels (14% of SOF/VEL and 42% of GLE/PIB patients). Conclusion: This real-world analysis provided a thorough characterization on the burden of polymedication regimens in HCV patients treated with SOF/VEL or GLE/PIB that expose such patients to an increased risk of DDIs. In our sample population, SOF/VEL regimen was more frequently detected on elderly patients and on those with ≥2 comedications at risk of multi-DDI, ie, among patients characterized by higher rates of comorbidities and polypharmacy.

One-year mortality in COVID-19 is associated with patients' comorbidities rather than pneumonia severity.

BACKGROUND: In patients with pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome who survived hospitalization, one-year mortality can affect up to one third of discharged patients. Therefore, significant long-term mortality after COVID-19 respiratory failure could be expected. The primary outcome of the present study was one-year all-cause mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Observational study of COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital (Bergamo, Italy), during the first pandemic wave. RESULTS: A total of 1326 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized. Overall one-year mortality was 33.6% (N 446/1326), with the majority of deaths occurring during hospitalization (N=412, 92.4%). Thirty-four patients amongst the 914 discharged (3.7%) subsequentely died within one year. A third of these patients died for advanced cancer, while death without a cause other than COVID-19 was uncommon (8.8% of the overall post-discharge mortality). In-hospital late mortality (i.e. after 28 days of admission) interested a population with a lower age, and fewer comorbidities, more frequentely admitted in ICU. Independent predictors of post-discharge mortality were age over 65 years (HR 3.19; 95% CI 1.28-7.96, p-value=0.013), presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (HR 2.52; 95% CI 1.09-5.83, p-value=0.031) or proxy of cardiovascular disease (HR 4.93; 95% CI 1.45-16.75, p-value=0.010), and presence of active cancer (HR 3.64; 95% CI 1.50-8.84, p-value=0.004), but not pneumonia severity. CONCLUSIONS: One-year post-discharge mortality depends on underlying patients' comorbidities rather than COVID-19 pneumonia severity per se. Awareness among physicians of predictors of post-discharge mortality might be helpful in structuring a follow-up program for discharged patients.

A quantitative MRCP-derived score for medium-term outcome prediction in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is the gold standard for diagnosis of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The semi-quantitative MRCP-derived Anali scores proposed for risk stratification, have poor-to-moderate inter-reader agreement. AIMS: To evaluate the prognostic performance of quantitative MRCP metrics in PSC. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of PSC patients undergoing MRCP. Images were processed using MRCP+ software (Perspectum Ltd, Oxford) that provides quantitative biliary features, semi-automatically extracted by artificial intelligence-driven analysis of MRCP-3D images. The prognostic value of biliary features has been assessed for all hepato-biliary complications. RESULTS: 87 PSC patients have been included in the analysis. Median follow-up from MRCP to event/censoring of 30.9 months (Q1-Q3=13.6-46.6). An adverse outcome occurred in 27 (31.0%) patients. The number of biliary strictures (HR=1.05 per unit, 95%CI 1.02-1.08, p < 0.0001), spleen length (HR=1.16 per cm, 95%CI 1.01-1.34, p = 0.039), adjusted for height, age at MRCP, and time from diagnosis to MRCP predicted higher risk of hepatobiliary complications. These were incorporated into a the quantitative MRCP-derived PSC (qMRCP-PSC) score (C-statistic=0.80). After 3-fold cross-validation, qMRCP-PSC outperformed the Anali score in our cohort (C-statistic of 0.78 vs 0.64) and enabled the discrimination of survival of PSC patients (log-rank p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The qMRCP-PSC score identified patients at higher risk of hepatobiliary complications and outperformed the available radiological scores. It represents a novel quantitative biomarker for disease monitoring and a potential surrogate endpoint for clinical trials.

Outcomes of Sorafenib for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Transplantation in the Era of Combined and Sequential Treatments.

BACKGROUND: Sorafenib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the current standard of care for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurring after liver transplantation (LT). Sorafenib is sometimes regarded as a scarcely effective treatment in this setting because of some studies showing a short overall survival (OS) indirectly compared with historical series of nontransplanted patients. Additional data from multicenter prospective studies are needed before drawing definite conclusions. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of a large prospective multicenter dataset of sorafenib-treated HCC patients to report the characteristics and outcomes of LT recipients (n = 81). RESULTS: At the baseline, LT patients had key prognostic features (high prevalence of metastatic disease, and low prevalence of macrovascular invasion, α-fetoprotein >400 ng/mL, ALBI grade >1, performance status >0) that differentiated them from the typical populations of non-LT patient reported in clinical trials and observational studies. Moreover, a relevant proportion of LT patients received concurrent locoregional (12.3%) and postprogression systemic treatments (34.2%), resulting in a median OS of 18.7 mo. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal and sequential treatments are relatively frequent in post-LT HCC patients and contribute to a remarkable OS, together with favorable baseline characteristics. Despite the impossibility of matching with non-LT patients, our results indirectly suggest that the metastatic nature of post-LT recurrence and concurrent antirejection regimens should not discourage systemic treatments.

Dexrazoxane for rapid extended livedo reticularis-like skin reaction due to systemic epirubicin diffusion during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization procedure for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Skin reactions after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with anthracyclines are rare and mostly limited to small areas. We describe a 56-year-old male with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with epirubicin chemoembolization. Immediately the procedure, pain on the right side and an extended livedo reticularis-like skin reaction appeared. Since dexrazoxane, a topoisomerase-II catalytic-cycle inhibitor, has been shown to be effective in preventing or reducing skin necrosis and ulceration following anthracycline extravasation, the drug was administered 8 h after TACE and repeated in the following 2 days. Due to marked extrahepatic diffusion of epirubicin as evidenced by computed tomography imaging, the patient showed signs of systemic organ involvement. The critically ill patient required close follow-up and intensified treatment including blood supply and pulmonary drainage of a pleural effusion. The patient presented a significant clinical improvement of the skin lesions and resolution of organ involvement with normalization of laboratory parameters after dexrazoxane. In conclusion, adverse extended skin reactions and severe systemic effects related to anthracyclines diffusion could be properly treated with dexrazoxane infusion.

The Role of Imaging in Portal Vein Thrombosis: From the Diagnosis to the Interventional Radiological Management.

PURPOSE: To illustrate diagnostic and interventional imaging for the characterization and treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT). INTRODUCTION: The broad spectrum of congenital and acquired PVT manifestations is illustrated, with a focus on the pediatric population; diagnostic and interventional imaging techniques are described. DESCRIPTION: PVT frequently presents as an incidental finding at imaging in the screening for liver diseases or for other unrelated reasons. PVT can be classified based on: extension (intrahepatic, extrahepatic, involving the spleno-mesenteric tract, etc.); degree (partial or complete); onset (acute or chronic); and with or without cavernomatous transformation. This comprehensive review relies on the experience gained from a large series of congenital and acquired PVT in a referral center for pediatric and adult liver transplantation. Diagnostic and interventional imaging techniques are described, including: color-Doppler and contrast-enhanced Ultrasound; CT and MR angiography; retrograde portography; percutaneous transhepatic, transplenic, and transmesenteric portography; transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation. Pre- and post-operative imaging assessment of the surgical meso-rex bypass is discussed. The description is enriched with an original series of pictorial imaging findings. CONCLUSION: PVT is a clinical condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic and interventional imaging plays a crucial role in both conservative and operative management.

Characterization of compliance phenotypes in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (COVID-19 ARDS) seems to differ from the "classic ARDS", showing initial significant hypoxemia in the face of relatively preserved compliance and evolving later in a scenario of poorly compliant lungs. We tested the hypothesis that in patients with COVID-19 ARDS, the initial value of static compliance of respiratory system (Crs) (1) depends on the previous duration of the disease (i.e., the fewer days of illness, the higher the Crs and vice versa) and (2) identifies different lung patterns of time evolution and response to prone positioning. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective observational study. We enrolled consecutive mechanically ventilated patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who met ARDS criteria, admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were divided in four groups based on quartiles of initial Crs. Relationship between Crs and the previous duration of the disease was evaluated. Respiratory parameters collected once a day and during prone positioning were compared between groups. RESULTS: We evaluated 110 mechanically ventilated patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who met ARDS criteria admitted to our ICUs. Patients were divided in groups based on quartiles of initial Crs. The median initial Crs was 41 (32-47) ml/cmH2O. No association was found between the previous duration of the disease and the initial Crs. The Crs did not change significantly over time within each quartile. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and driving pressure were respectively lower and greater in patients with lower Crs. Prone positioning significantly improved PaO2/FiO2 in the 4 groups, however it increased the Crs significantly only in patients in lower quartile of Crs. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, the initial Crs is not dependent on the previous duration of COVID-19 disease. Prone positioning improves oxygenation irrespective to initial Crs, but it ameliorates respiratory mechanics only in patients with lower Crs.

Fibrinolytic Proteins and Factor XIII as Predictors of Thrombotic and Hemorrhagic Complications in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

Introduction: In a prospective cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, an extensive characterization of hemostatic alterations by both global and specific assays was performed to clarify mechanisms underlying the coagulopathy and identify predictive factors for thrombotic and hemorrhagic events during hospitalization. Materials and Methods: Intensive care unit (ICU; n = 46) and non-ICU (n = 55) patients were enrolled, and the occurrence of thrombotic and hemorrhagic events was prospectively monitored. At study inclusion, thromboelastometry together with the measurement of specific coagulation proteins and hypercoagulation markers was performed. Results: Patients (median age 67 years) showed significantly shorter clot formation time together with greater maximum clot firmness by thromboelastometry, increased levels of F1 + 2 and D-dimer, as biomarkers of hypercoagulability, and of procoagulant factors V, VIII, IX, XI, and fibrinogen, while FXIII was significantly reduced. The concentration of fibrinolytic proteins, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) were elevated in the overall cohort of patients. Many of these hemostatic alterations were significantly greater in ICU compared to non-ICU subjects and, furthermore, they were associated with inflammatory biomarker elevation [i.e., interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and procalcitonin]. After enrollment, 7 thrombosis and 14 major bleedings occurred. Analysis of clinical and biological data identified increased t-PA, PAI-1, and NLR values as independent predictive factors for thrombosis, while lower FXIII levels were associated with bleeding. Conclusion: This study demonstrates alterations in all different hemostatic compartments analyzed, particularly in severe COVID-19 conditions, that strongly correlated with the inflammatory status. A potential role of fibrinolytic proteins together with NLR and of FXIII as predictors of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, respectively, is highlighted.