Modification of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and the Evolution of The Cardiovascular Phenotype of Liver Transplant Recipients in the Long -Term Postoperative Period.

AIM: To evaluate the contribution of traditional and additional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) to the development of chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) in liver transplant recipients during the long-term postoperative period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center prospective cohort study was conducted. The study included 740 patients with chronic end-stage liver disease (CESLD) and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCMP). During the observation period (5.4±2.29 years), patients were divided into two groups: liver transplant recipients (n=420) and patients with CESLD on the waiting list who did not receive a donor organ (n=320). In patients enrolled to the study upon inclusion in the waiting list, CVRFs, history, clinical and laboratory and instrumental data were studied at all stages of the hepato-cardiac continuum. RESULTS: During the long-term postoperative period, liver transplant recipients belonged to the group of high cardiovascular risk: over a 5-year observation period, 35.7% (n=150) of them developed metabolic syndrome (MS), 9.8% developed verified CIHD associated with MS. The incidence of traditional CVRFs was high (arterial hypertension, 88.6%; obesity, 36.6%; hypercholesterolemia, 77.8%; hypertriglyceridemia, 43.6%; reduced concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 35.4%; increased concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 66.8% and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 51.2%; increased atherogenic index, 61.5%). During the long-term postoperative period as compared to the period when patients were on the waiting list, additional CVRFs appeared: increases in body mass index, calcium index, nitric oxide metabolites, endothelin-1, homocysteine, intercellular adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, and decreases in endothelium-dependent vasodilation and glomerular filtration rate to less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. A model for the development of CIHD was created. The model uses a complex of independent risk factors and demonstrates a predictive accuracy of 84.6%. CONCLUSION: The study results indicate a modification of CVRFs and a dynamic change in the cardiovascular phenotype of liver transplant recipients: progression of CCMP during their stay on the waiting list, regression of CCMP manifestations during the first 12 months after orthotopic liver transplantation, and increases in the total cardiovascular risk and likelihood of CIHD in the long-term postoperative period.

Improved survival in liver transplant recipients receiving prolonged-release tacrolimus in the European Liver Transplant Registry.

This study was a retrospective analysis of the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) performed to compare long-term outcomes with prolonged-release tacrolimus versus tacrolimus BD in liver transplantation (January 2008-December 2012). Clinical efficacy measures included univariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors influencing graft and patient survival at 3 years posttransplant. Efficacy measures were repeated using propensity score-matching for baseline demographics. Patients with <1 month of follow-up were excluded from the analyses. In total, 4367 patients (prolonged-release tacrolimus: n = 528; BD: n = 3839) from 21 European centers were included. Tacrolimus BD treatment was significantly associated with inferior graft (risk ratio: 1.81; p = 0.001) and patient survival (risk ratio: 1.72; p = 0.004) in multivariate analyses. Similar analyses performed on the propensity score-matched patients confirmed the significant survival advantages observed in the prolonged-release tacrolimus- versus tacrolimus BD-treated group. This large retrospective analysis from the ELTR identified significant improvements in long-term graft and patient survival in patients treated with prolonged-release tacrolimus versus tacrolimus BD in primary liver transplant recipients over 3 years of treatment. However, as with any retrospective registry evaluation, there are a number of limitations that should be considered when interpreting these data.

[Combined resection of liver and inferior vena cava].

It was analyzed the results of treatment of 8 patients. Combined resection of liver and inferior vena cava was done in all cases. All resections of inferior vena cava were performed in combination with right-sided hemihepatectomy. Circular resection of inferior vena cava was done in 6 cases, tangential-in 2 cases. Allograft of donor inferior vena cava was used in 3 cases for reconstruction of inferior vena cava. Average duration of combined resection of liver and inferior vena cava was 675±189 min, average hemorrhage - 1800±1402 ml. The need for transfusion of packed red blood cells was 270±723 ml, the need for transfusion of fresh frozen plasma was 1105±636 ml. Post-resection liver failure according to criteria ISGLS developed in 3 patients (37.5%). Biliary complications such as biliary fistula and inconsistency of hepatico-jejunal anastomosis developed in 2 patients (25%). Hospital mortality was 12.5%. It is considered that resection of liver with inferior vena cava demands an experience in hepatobiliary surgery and/or liver transplantation. Surgeon must be ready to use total vascular isolation, hypothermic preservation and veno-venous bypass grafting. It allows to dilate an opportunity of resection liver surgery.

[The thromboelastometric criteria of hemostasis disorders correction during liver transplantation].

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the study. Optimum correction of hemostasis remains one of the unsolved problems in anesthesia maintenance during liver transplantation. Modern methods of coagulation monitoring (thromboelastography, thromboelastometry) allows to differ the increased bleeding reason. The clear criteria for the appointment of the blood components according to these methods have not developed so far. The aim of this study was to determine the criteria of hemostasis disorders correction during liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included all patients undergoing a liver transplantation in our clinic from January 2009 to December 2010. In certain intervals of time an intake of blood samples for the hemostasis study including koagulogramm, determination of the clotting factors and natural anticoagulants activity was performed. RESULTS: There is no significant correlation between the results of the standard coagulation tests and thromboelastometry Based on the international hemostasis correction recommendations, with the help of ROC-analysis the search for thromboelastometry data, which would have pointed to the need for this therapy was made. Concerning coagulation factors deficiency (INR>2, APTT> 1.5) CT-EXTEM>80 has a sensitivity of 17% and a specificity of 97%, and CT-INTEM>240 has sensitivity of 51% and specificity of 96%. Use of A10-FIBTEM for fibrinogen deficiency diagnosis, A10-FIBTEM <9 has sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 63%. A simultaneous increase of CT-EXTEM >80 and CT-INTEM more than 300 has a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity 81% in relation to diagnose thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 50,000 per mcl). CONCLUSION: Correction of coagulation factors deficiency indicated when CT-EXTEM>80 and CT-INTEM> 240, hypofibrinogenemia when A10-FIBTEM <9, thrombocytopenia when of CT-EXTEM >80 and CT-INTEM increase simultaneously more than 300.

[The possibilities of early diagnosis of tumorous lesions of colon patency and their preoperative correction].

Experiments in white rats were used in order 1) to create a model of obturative colon obstruction (OCO) and to prove a staged character of its development depending on the tone of the Bauhin's valve (the normotonic phase, spasm of the Bauhin's valve, dilatation of the Bauhin's valve) and 2) to study specific features of healing primary anastomoses after emergency resections of the colon. An analysis of clinical and rentgenological findings has confirmed the staged character of tumor lesions of the colon patency (TLCP). A working classification of them is proposed: stages of compensation (conventionally chronic); subcompensation (subacute) with three degrees of stages according to the experimental scheme of pathogenesis; decompensated (acute obturative colon obstruction). Typical rentgenological symptoms are first described and systematized for the stages of sub- and decompensation. In combination with the classification they make the basis for early diagnosis of TLCP, establishment of absolute indications for urgent operations and decision for the early intraoperative strategy. An original three-lumen probe for preoperative decompression and monitory purgation of the intestine, the method of intra- and postoperative decompression, correction of the intraintestinal status allowed to form primary anastomoses after urgent resections of the colon in 170 (63.7%) out of 317 patients with OCO. A scheme of control with the help of thermo-transducer is proposed for prognosis of a possible failure of the anastomosis.

[Estimation of efficiency of complex-method intestinal therapy using Nitella flexilis test-object for acute intestinal obstruction of various etiology].

The aim of our investigation was to define the presence of correlation between toxicity of intestinal contents and clinical and laboratory indices in the cases of ileus and peritonitis with the use of complex method of enteral therapy. Experiments have been carried out on internodal cells of Nitella Flexilis water plant. Efficiency of the given method (investigation of toxicity of the intestinal content with the use of test-object Nitella Flexilis) has been studied in 25 patients, who underwent correction of morpho-functional status of small intestine. Results of investigation have shown that changes in toxicity of intestinal content reliably reflect the nature and dynamics of the pathobiologic processes proceeding in GIS in treated patients suffering from acute intestinal impassability. Using the method of correction of morpho-functional status of small intestine decreases the role of "Intestinal factor" in formation of endogenous intoxication, which in turn results in early normalization of clinical and laboratory indices, favored process of early post-operational period, decreased rate of lethality and shortened rehabilitation period.

[Correction of the intraintestinal status in patients with diffuse peritonitis]. / Korrektsiia intraintestinal'nogo statusa u bol'nykh s rasprostranennym peritonitom.

Complex methods of intraintestinal status correction are proposed for patients surgically treated for general peritonitis. These methods consist of three main components: suppression of excessive bacterial colonization of gastrointestinal tract; binding of toxic substances and microorganisms; colonization of small intestine by physiological strains of bacteria. Original design of three-lumen tube for nasogastrointestinal intubation was used. Clinical study was carried out in 2 groups of patients. Study group consisted of 79 patients treated by proposed methods; only gastrointestinal intubation by three-lumen tube was performed in 44 patients (control group). Usage of the proposed methods led to dysbacteriosis correction and fast appearance of intestinal peristalsis, improved the course of postoperative period. The mortality was 8.9% in the study group and 13.6% in the control group.