Liver transplantation for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is a complex and devastating disease. Its complexity in part arises from the difficulty of establishing a diagnosis, especially in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients. We have found fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of cytologic specimens to be helpful in establishing a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. In particular, FISH polysomy is useful in establishing a diagnosis of this malignancy. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspirates of regional lymph nodes has high utility in identifying patients who have advanced disease with lymph node metastases. Patients who are resectable by conventional surgical techniques are referred for surgery. However, patients who are not resectable or who have PSC and meet highly selective criteria become eligible for liver transplantation. The protocol employs external beam radiation therapy followed by brachytherapy, and then capecitabine until a staging laparotomy is performed. There is a high dropout rate while patients await liver transplantation of approximately 30% at 12 months, due to tumor progression. Overall, survival rates are approximately 65-70% at 5 years. The disease recurrence rate is 20%. Patients who have masses greater than 3 cm or who do not meet the criteria identified above have worse outcomes. These survival rates are better than those following surgical resection. Vascular complications occur frequently after liver transplantation. Portal venous anastomotic strictures are very common and can be managed by stent placement. In summary, neoadjuvant chemoradiation plus liver transplantation achieves excellent survival for patients with early-stage perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Nutritional status of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation: time trends and impact on survival

Alcoholic cirrhotics evaluated for liver transplantation are frequently malnourished or obese. We analyzed alcoholic cirrhotics undergoing transplantation to examine time trends of nutrition/weight, transplant outcome, and effects of concomitant hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nutrition and transplant outcomes were reviewed for alcoholic cirrhosis with/without HCV/HCC. Malnutrition was defined by subjective global assessment. Body mass index (BMI) classified obesity. A total of 261 patients receiving transplants were separated (1988-2000, 2001-2006, and 2007-2011) to generate similar size cohorts. Mean BMI for the whole cohort was 28 ± 6 with 68% classified as overweight/obese. Mean BMI did not vary among cohorts and was not affected by HCV/HCC. While prevalence of malnutrition did not vary among cohorts, it was lower in patients with HCV/HCC (P < 0.01). One-year graft/patient survival was 90% and not impacted by time period, HCV/HCC, or malnutrition after adjusting for demographics and model end-stage liver disease (MELD). Alcoholic cirrhotics undergoing transplantation are malnourished yet frequently overweight/obese. Among patients selected for transplantation, 1-year post-transplant graft/patient survival is excellent, have not changed over time, and do not vary by nutrition/BMI. Our findings support feasibility of liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhotics with obesity and malnutrition.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome: favorable outcomes in the MELD exception era

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a pulmonary vascular disorder occurring as a consequence of advanced liver disease, characterized by hypoxemia due to intrapulmonary vascular dilatations. HPS independently increases mortality, regardless of the cause or severity of liver disease. Liver transplantation (LT) improves survival in HPS. We present the largest consecutive series of HPS patients specifically addressing long-term survival relative to the degree of hypoxemia and the era in which LT was conducted. We evaluated 106 HPS patients at the Mayo Clinic from 1986 through 2010. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier methodology. LT was accomplished in 49 HPS patients. Post-LT survival (1, 3, 5, and 10 years) did not differ between groups based on baseline partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2 ) obtained at the time of HPS diagnosis. Improvements in overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years post-LT in those HPS patients transplanted after January 1 2002 (n = 28) (92%, 88%, and 88%, respectively) as compared with those transplanted prior to that time (n = 21) (71%, 67%, and 67%, respectively) did not reach statistical significance (5-year P = 0.09). Model for Endstage Liver Disease (MELD) exception to facilitate LT was granted to 21 patients since January 1 2002 with post-LT survival of 19/21 patients and one wait-list death.

CONCLUSION

Long-term outcome after LT in HPS is favorable, with a trend towards improved survival in the MELD exception era since 2002 as compared to earlier HPS transplants. Survival after LT was not associated with PaO2 levels at the time of HPS diagnosis. (HEPATOLOGY 2012).

Excellent quality of life after liver transplantation for patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma who have undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiation

Patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by liver transplantation (LT) have excellent survival. However, little is known about their quality of life (QOL). We assessed the QOL of these patients and compared it to the QOL of patients who underwent transplantation for other liver diseases. From 1993 to 2010, 129 CCA patients underwent LT, and 93 (72%) were alive as of November 2010. All recipients were sent a previously validated QOL questionnaire composed of disease-specific QOL metrics (liver disease symptoms, Karnofsky score, health perception, and index of well-being) and generic QOL metrics [Short Form 36 (SF-36) and European Quality of Life (EuroQol)]. These recipients were compared to 110 transplant recipients with other liver diseases (excluding hepatitis C). Among the recipients with CCA, the response rate was 85% (n = 79). Patients with CCA did significantly better on liver disease symptoms (3.3 versus 3.2, P = 0.05), the Karnofsky score (90.8 versus 86.6, P = 0.03), the SF-36 Physical Functioning domain (52.0 versus 46.3, P < 0.001), and the EuroQol Mobility category (10% versus 33%, P = 0.001), and they rated their overall health better in comparison with non-CCA patients (85.9 versus 80.7, P = 0.02). CCA patients scored consistently higher on all other domains, albeit without significant differences. The observed differences in QOL remained unchanged when adjustments were made for demographic factors, including the level of education. In conclusion, patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by LT for perihilar CCA reported excellent QOL that was equal to or better than that of recipients with other liver diseases. These results are important in light of the continued debate about the feasibility of this aggressive treatment in patients with perihilar CCA.

Combined liver transplantation and gastric sleeve resection for patients with medically complicated obesity and end-stage liver disease

Obesity is increasingly common before and after liver transplantation (LT), yet optimal management remains unclear. Our aim was to analyze the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary protocol for obese patients requiring LT, including a noninvasive pretransplant weight loss program, and a combined LT plus sleeve gastrectomy (SG) for obese patients who failed to lose weight prior to LT. Since 2006, all patients referred LT with a BMI > 35 were enrolled. There were 37 patients who achieved weight loss and underwent LT alone, and 7 who underwent LT combined with SG. In those who received LT alone, weight gain to BMI > 35 was seen in 21/34, post-LT diabetes (DM) in 12/34, steatosis in 7/34, with 3 deaths plus 3 grafts losses. In patients undergoing the combined procedure, there were no deaths or graft losses. One patient developed a leak from the gastric staple line, and one had excess weight loss. No patients developed post-LT DM or steatosis, and all had substantial weight loss (mean BMI = 29). Noninvasive pretransplant weight loss was achieved by a majority, though weight gain post-LT was common. Combined LT plus SG resulted in effective weight loss and was associated with fewer post-LT metabolic complications. Long-term follow-up is needed.

OPTN/SRTR 2011 Annual Data Report: liver

The current liver allocation system, introduced in 2002, decreased the importance of waiting time for allocation priorities; the number of active wait-listed candidates and median waiting times were immediately reduced. However, the total number of adult wait-listed candidates has increased since 2002, and median waiting time has increased since 2006. Pretransplant mortality rates have been stable, but the number of candidates withdrawn from the list as being too sick to undergo transplant nearly doubled between 2009 and 2011. Deceased donation rates have remained stable, with an increasing proportion of expanded criteria donors. Living donation has decreased over the past 10 years. Transplant outcomes remain robust, with continuously improving graft survival rates for deceased donor, living donor, and donation after circulatory death livers. Numbers of new and prevalent pediatric candidates on the waiting list have decreased. Pediatric pretransplant mortality has decreased, most dramatically for candidates aged less than 1 year. The transplant rate has increased since 2002, and is highest in candidates aged less than 1 year. Graft survival continues to improve for pediatric recipients of deceased donor and living donor livers. Incidence of acute rejections increases with time after transplant. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder remains an important concern in pediatric recipients.

Impact of sirolimus and tacrolimus on mortality and graft loss in liver transplant recipients with or without hepatitis C virus: an analysis of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Database

By analyzing 26,414 patients [12,589 with hepatitis C virus (HCV)] in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Database, we sought to determine comparative risk factors (including primary immunosuppression) predictive of death and graft loss among patients with HCV and patients without HCV. Immunosuppression was examined at the baseline and as a time-dependent variable, and the results were stratified by the transplant center and were adjusted for variables well known to affect patient and graft survival. A multivariate analysis of patient mortality demonstrated that recipient age, donor age, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes, and creatinine were significantly associated with increased 3-year mortality for both groups. Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression was associated with superior survival in both groups. In contrast, the use of sirolimus was strongly associated with increased mortality in the HCV group, and cyclosporine was associated with increased mortality in the non-HCV group. Adjusting for known and unknown factors predictive of posttransplant outcomes, a propensity analysis confirmed the association of sirolimus use with an increased risk of death in HCV patients as well as the association of tacrolimus use with a decreased risk of death in all patients. In conclusion, this study suggests a novel association between sirolimus use and an increased risk of death and graft loss after liver transplantation in HCV patients that is not seen in patients without HCV. This study confirms the association of tacrolimus with superior outcomes. Sirolimus should be used sparingly in recipients with HCV infections.

Predictors of pretransplant dropout and posttransplant recurrence in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

We have previously reported excellent outcomes with liver transplantation for selected patients with early-stage perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Our aim was to identify predictors of dropout before transplantation and predictors of cancer recurrence after transplantation. We reviewed all patients with unresectable perihilar CCA treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation in anticipation for transplantation between 1993 and 2010. Predictors were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis of clinical variables. In total, 199 patients were enrolled, of whom 62 dropped out and 131 underwent transplantation at our institution, with six undergoing transplantation elsewhere. Predictors of dropout were carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) ≥ 500 U/mL (hazard ratio [HR] 2.3; P = 0.04), mass ≥ 3 cm (HR 2.1; P = 0.05), malignant brushing or biopsy (HR 3.6; P = 0.001), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score ≥ 20 (HR 3.5; P = 0.02). Posttransplant, recurrence-free 5-year survival was 68%. Predictors of recurrence were elevated CA 19-9 (HR 1.8; P = 0.01), portal vein encasement (HR 3.3; P = 0.007), and residual tumor on explant (HR 9.8; P < 0.001). Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), age, history of cholecystectomy, and waiting time were not independent predictors.

CONCLUSION

Outcome following neoadjuvant chemoradiation and liver transplantation for perihilar CCA is excellent. Risk of dropout is related to patient and tumor characteristics and this can be used to guide patient counseling before enrollment. Recurrence risk is mostly associated with presence of residual cancer on explant. Patients with PSC do not have an independent survival advantage over de novo patients, but present with more favorable tumor characteristics.

The course of posttransplant hepatitis C infection: comparative impact of donor and recipient source of the favorable IL28B genotype and other variables

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The IL28B genotype has been linked to sustained virological response (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV). Its role on disease biology and progression is less clear. We characterized the effects of IL28B genotype on HCV recurrence, allograft histology, rate of SVR, and survival after liver transplantation (LT) in HCV.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent LT with HCV were studied. The rs12979860 genotype from both the donor was and recipient was determined. Measured endpoints included histologic HCV recurrence (inflammatory grade and fibrosis stage), acute cellular rejection, SVR, retransplantation, and death.

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised 272 consecutive LT in 255 patients. C-allele frequency was 56% in recipients and 70% in donors (P<0.001). Recipient IL28B CC genotype was associated with lower alanine aminotransferase levels and viral load at recurrence and a lower frequency of F≥2 on liver biopsy at 1 year after LT, when compared with the non-CC genotype (P=0.012). The opposite was observed in LT with donor CC genotype (P=0.003). Both recipient and donor CC genotype favored SVR, and when the two of them occurred together, the SVR rate reached 90%. Survival analysis after 5.5 years of follow-up showed a higher rate of progression to cirrhosis (hazard ratio, 5.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-27.6), liver-related death, or retransplantation among liver transplant recipients with a CC genotype donor.

CONCLUSIONS

The IL28B genotype is predictive not only of SVR but also of the histologic diagnosis of posttransplant hepatitis C, with donor CC genotype favoring inflammation and fibrosis, and adverse outcomes during long-term follow-up. A favorable effect of donor CC genotype is manifest only after antiviral therapy.

Changes in transfusion practice over time in adult patients undergoing liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in transfusion practice over time in liver transplantation surgery and to evaluate potential causes for changes in practice and report associated perioperative morbidity and mortality.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

A single tertiary referral academic hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Two cohorts of 100 sequential adult primary liver transplant recipients: Early practice (1990-1991) and recent practice (2005-2006).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Perioperative transfusion and hemoglobin data were recorded. Mortality and postoperative complications were identified up to 30 days postoperatively. Appropriate intergroup statistical comparisons were made; p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Compared with the early group, the recent group had significantly fewer perioperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusions, intraoperative autotransfusions, and transfusions of other blood products. No change in perioperative transfusion triggers was identified. There were no significant alterations in perioperative morbidity or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

When compared with patients in the early group, recent cohort patients received significantly fewer blood transfusions. The authors attribute this observation to changes in surgical technique rather than a significant alteration in transfusion triggers over the studied time period.

Frequency, clinical presentation, and outcomes of drug-induced liver injury after liver transplantation

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is increasingly being recognized as a common cause of acute hepatitis. The clinical impact of DILI after liver transplantation (LT) is not known. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, clinical presentation, and outcomes of DILI in LT recipients. LT recipients with possible DILI were identified with electronic pathology records and clinical note database retrieval tools. Diagnostic criteria were applied to identify cases of DILI. Twenty-nine of 1689 LT recipients (1.7%) were identified with DILI. The mean age was 52 years, and 52% were women. The major indications for LT were primary sclerosing cholangitis (28%), cholangiocarcinoma (14%), and hepatocellular carcinoma (14%). The severity of DILI was mild or moderate in 92% of the cases. Nausea or diarrhea (31%), jaundice (24%), and pruritus (10%) were the most common symptoms at the time of diagnosis. The mean biochemistry values were as follows: alanine aminotransferase, 204 ± 263 U/L; aspartate aminotransferase, 108 ± 237 U/L; alkaline phosphatase, 469 ± 689 U/L; and total bilirubin, 1.9 ± 10.3 mg/dL. The median duration of medication use until the diagnosis of DILI was 57 days, and the major agent classes were antibiotics (48%), immunosuppressive agents (14%), and antihyperlipidemic drugs (7%). Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was the most common implicated agent (n = 11). Serum liver enzymes improved within a median time of 34 days (range = 5-246 days) after drug withdrawal. Hepatic retransplantation or death did not occur. Among the 50 cases with possible DILI explained by other causes, 13 individuals (26%) had no alternative diagnosis despite histological findings compatible with DILI. In conclusion, DILI is a rare yet underrecognized event among LT recipients. The majority of cases are not clinically severe, and they resolve after drug cessation without hepatic retransplantation or death.

Efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiation, followed by liver transplantation, for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma at 12 US centers

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Excellent single-center outcomes of neoadjuvant chemoradiation and liver transplantation for unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma caused the United Network of Organ Sharing to offer a standardized model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) exception for this disease. We analyzed data from multiple centers to determine the effectiveness of this treatment and the appropriateness of the MELD exception.

METHODS

We collected and analyzed data from 12 large-volume transplant centers in the United States. These centers met the inclusion criteria of treating 3 or more patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma using neoadjuvant therapy, followed by liver transplantation, from 1993 to 2010 (n = 287 total patients). Center-specific protocols and medical charts were reviewed on-site.

RESULTS

The patients completed external radiation (99%), brachytherapy (75%), radiosensitizing therapy (98%), and/or maintenance chemotherapy (65%). Seventy-one patients dropped out before liver transplantation (rate, 11.5% in 3 months). Intent-to-treat survival rates were 68% and 53%, 2 and 5 years after therapy, respectively; post-transplant, recurrence-free survival rates were 78% and 65%, respectively. Patients outside the United Network of Organ Sharing criteria (those with tumor mass >3 cm, transperitoneal tumor biopsy, or metastatic disease) or with a prior malignancy had significantly shorter survival times (P < .001). There were no differences in outcomes among patients based on differences in surgical staging or brachytherapy. Although most patients came from 1 center (n = 193), the other 11 centers had similar survival times after therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma who were treated with neoadjuvant therapy followed up by liver transplantation at 12 US centers had a 65% rate of recurrence-free survival after 5 years, showing this therapy to be highly effective. An 11.5% drop-out rate after 3.5 months of therapy indicates the appropriateness of the MELD exception. Rigorous selection is important for the continued success of this treatment.

Prevalence, course and impact of HLA donor-specific antibodies in liver transplantation in the first year

The presence of preformed donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSA) in liver transplant recipients is increasingly recognized; however, the prevalence of DSA and their impact on early allograft function remains unknown. We prospectively followed serum DSA levels of 90 consecutive liver transplant recipients from baseline to 4 months. Twenty recipients (22.2%) had preformed DSA. No antibody-targeting treatments were undertaken. Seven days after transplantation, DSA levels decreased markedly in all but three patients. Day 7 protocol biopsies showed diffuse C4d deposition along the portal stroma, central vein, subendothelial and stromal space in the patients with persistent high DSA levels. The rate of acute cellular rejection was not significantly different in patients with DSA. The transaminase and bilirubin levels remained comparable during the first year despite the presence of DSA. The three patients with persistently high DSA levels continue to have normal allograft function. We conclude that in most cases, DSA disappear after liver transplant, however in rare instances where they persist, there is evidence of complement activation in the liver allograft, without significant clinical impact in the first year.

Neoadjuvant therapy and liver transplantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: is pretreatment pathological confirmation of diagnosis necessary?

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by operative staging and liver transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and CCA arising in the setting of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Pathologic confirmation of CCA is notoriously difficult, and many patients have been treated based on clinical criteria without pathological confirmation.

STUDY DESIGN

We reviewed our experience with the specific aim of determining the need for pathological confirmation of CCA before treatment.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifteen patients received neoadjuvant therapy between 1992 and 2011. One hundred and eighty-two patients underwent operative staging and 38 (21%) had findings that precluded transplantation. Pathological confirmation of CCA before therapy was achieved in 45 of 87 (52%) PSC patients and 22 of 49 (45%) de novo patients who underwent transplantation. Pretreatment pathological confirmation was associated with significantly worse 5-year survival after start of therapy for PSC patients (50% vs 80%; p = 0.001), but not for de novo patients (39% vs 48%; p = 0.27). Pretreatment pathological confirmation was associated with worse 5-year survival after transplantation for PSC patients (66% vs 92%; p = 0.01), but not for de novo patients (63% vs 65%; p = 0.71). The difference in the PSC patients was not due to recurrent cancer. Absence of pretreatment pathological confirmation did not result in less detection of residual CCA in the explanted livers or in less recurrence after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of residual CCA in liver explants and recurrences after transplantation are comparable for patients with and without pretreatment pathological confirmation of CCA and attest to the accuracy of clinical diagnostic criteria. Pretreatment pathological confirmation of CCA is desirable but should not be a requirement for treatment.

Recipient IL28B polymorphism is an important independent predictor of posttransplant diabetes mellitus in liver transplant patients with chronic hepatitis C

IL28B polymorphisms are strongly associated with response to treatment for HCV infection. IL28B acts on interferon-stimulated genes via the JAK-STAT pathway, which has been implicated in development of insulin resistance. We investigated whether IL28B polymorphisms are associated with posttransplant diabetes mellitus (DM). Consecutive HCV patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1-1995 and 1-2011 were studied. Genotyping of the polymorphism rs12979860 was performed on DNA collected from donors and recipients. Posttransplant DM was screened for by fasting blood glucoses every 1-3 months. Of 221 included patients, 69 developed posttransplant DM (31%). Twenty-two patients with recipient IL28B genotype TT (48%), 25 with IL28B genotype CT (25%) and 22 with IL28B genotype CC (29%) developed posttransplant DM. TT genotype was statistically significantly associated with posttransplant DM over time (log rank p = 0.012 for TT vs. CT and p = 0.045 for TT vs. CC). Multivariate Cox regression analysis correcting for donor age, body mass index, baseline serum glucose, baseline serum cholesterol, recipient age and treated rejection, showed that recipient IL28B genotype TT was independently associated with posttransplant DM (hazard ratio 2.51; 95% confidence interval 1.17-5.40; p = 0.011). We conclude that the risk of developing posttransplant DM is significantly increased in recipients carrying the TT polymorphism of the IL28B gene.

Frequency and outcomes of liver transplantation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in the United States

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The relative frequency of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as an indication for liver transplantation and comparative outcomes following transplantation are poorly understood.

METHODS

We analyzed the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for primary adult liver transplant recipients from 2001 to 2009.

RESULTS

From 2001 to 2009, 35,781 patients underwent a primary liver transplant, including 1959 for who NASH was the primary or secondary indication. The percentage of patients undergoing a liver transplant for NASH increased from 1.2% in 2001 to 9.7% in 2009. NASH is now the third most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. No other indication for liver transplantation increased in frequency during the study period. Compared with other indications for liver transplantation, recipients with NASH are older (58.5±8.0 vs 53.0±8.9 years; P<.001), have a larger body mass index (>30 kg/m2) (63% vs 32%; P<.001), are more likely to be female (47% vs 29%; P<.001), and have a lower frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma (12% vs 19%; P<.001). Survival at 1 and 3 years after liver transplantation for NASH was 84% and 78%, respectively, compared with 87% and 78% for other indications (P=.67). Patient and graft survival for liver recipients with NASH were similar to values for other indications after adjusting for level of creatinine, sex, age, and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

NASH is the third most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States and is on a trajectory to become the most common. Outcomes for patients undergoing a liver transplant for NASH are similar to those for other indications.

Free fatty acid storage in human visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue: role of adipocyte proteins

OBJECTIVE

Because direct adipose tissue free fatty acid (FFA) storage may contribute to body fat distribution, we measured FFA (palmitate) storage rates and fatty acid (FA) storage enzymes/proteins in omental and abdominal subcutaneous fat.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Elective surgery patients received a bolus of [1-(14)C]palmitate followed by omental and abdominal subcutaneous fat biopsies to measure direct FFA storage. Long chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and diacylglycerol acyltransferase activities, CD36, fatty acid-binding protein, and fatty acid transport protein 1 were measured.

RESULTS

Palmitate tracer storage (dpm/g adipose lipid) and calculated palmitate storage rates were greater in omental than abdominal subcutaneous fat in women (1.2 ± 0.8 vs. 0.7 ± 0.4 μmol · kg adipose lipid(-1) · min(-1), P = 0.005) and men (0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1, P < 0.001), and both were greater in women than men (P < 0.0001). Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue palmitate storage rates correlated with ACS activity (women: r = 0.66, P = 0.001; men: r = 0.70, P = 0.007); in men, CD36 was also independently related to palmitate storage rates. The content/activity of FA storage enzymes/proteins in omental fat was dramatically lower in those with more visceral fat. In women, only omental palmitate storage rates were correlated (r = 0.54, P = 0.03) with ACS activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Some adipocyte FA storage factors correlate with direct FFA storage, but sex differences in this process in visceral fat do not account for sex differences in visceral fatness. The reduced storage proteins in those with greater visceral fat suggest that the storage factors we measured are not a predominant cause of visceral adipose tissue accumulation.

Trans-peritoneal fine needle aspiration biopsy of hilar cholangiocarcinoma is associated with disease dissemination

BACKGROUND

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma presents both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. While establishing a diagnosis is important for patients considering aggressive treatment, a transperitoneal fine needle aspiration (FNA) may lead to seeding of the tumour. The aim of the present study was to determine whether patients who have undergone transperitoneal FNA of the primary tumour have a higher incidence of metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Outcomes of 191 patients enrolled in a neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by liver transplantation (LT) from 1 October 1992 to 1 January 2010 were analysed. The incidence of metastases was compared between those who did or did not undergo a transperitoneal FNA biopsy of the primary tumour.

RESULTS

A total of 16 patients underwent FNA biopsy. There were six patients with biopsies positive for adenocarcinoma and 5/6 (83%) had peritoneal metastases at operative staging. Nine patients had biopsies, which did not demonstrate a tumour, and had no evidence of metastasis. One patient had an equivocal biopsy. Of those who did not undergo a transperitoneal biopsy, the incidence of peritoneal metastasis was 8% (14/175), P= 0.0097 vs. positive staging (83%) in those with a diagnostic transperitoneal FNA. Survival at 5 years for those who underwent LT was 74%.

CONCLUSION

Transperitoneal biopsy of hilar cholangiocarcinoma is associated with a higher rate of peritoneal metastases, and it should not be performed if a curative approach such as LT is available.

Predictors of cardiovascular events after liver transplantation: a role for pretransplant serum troponin levels

Cardiovascular complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. Identifying candidates at highest risk of postoperative complications is a cornerstone of optimizing outcomes and utility. Using traditional cardiac risk factors in addition to C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, troponin levels, and echocardiographic parameters before transplantation, we sought to define cardiac risk so that we could predict cardiovascular events after transplantation. From December 1998 to December 2001, 230 adult patients who underwent liver transplantation with a median follow-up of 8.2 years were studied. The risk factors for cardiac disease were as follows: male gender with a mean age of approximately 50 years (57%), smoking history (60%), diabetes (23%), hypertension (19%), elevated troponin (25%), elevated CRP (25%), and preexisting cardiac disease (16%). Fifty-nine cardiac events occurred over 8.2 years. Risk factors (univariate analysis) for first cardiac events included age in decades [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.31, P = 0.047], diabetes (HR = 2.20, P = 0.004), prior cardiovascular disease (HR = 4.77, P < 0.0001), a troponin I level > 0.07 ng/mL (HR = 2.00, P = 0.023), left ventricular hypertrophy (HR = 2.06, P = 0.047), stress wall abnormalities (HR = 2.25, P = 0.018), and ischemia on stress imaging (HR = 2.89, P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis confirmed age, diabetes, a troponin I level > 0.07, and prior cardiac disease as independent risk factors for posttransplant cardiac events. In conclusion, pretransplant elevated troponin levels, diabetes, and a history of cardiovascular disease, alone or in combination, are strongly associated with the occurrence of posttransplant cardiovascular events.

Interleukin-28B polymorphisms are associated with histological recurrence and treatment response following liver transplantation in patients with hepatitis C virus infection

Polymorphism in the interleukin-28B (IL28B) gene region, encoding interferon (IFN)-λ3, is strongly predictive of response to antiviral treatment in the nontransplant setting. We sought to determine the prevalence and impact on clinical outcomes of donor and recipient IL28B genotypes among liver transplant recipients. The cohort study included 189 consecutive patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who underwent liver transplantation between January 1, 1995, and January 1, 2005, at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Genotyping of the polymorphism rs12979860 was performed on DNA collected from all donors and recipients in the cohort. Sixty-five patients received IFN-based antiviral therapy. The CC IL28B variant was less common in the chronic HCV-infected recipients than in non-HCV donor livers (33% versus 47%, P = 0.03). IL28B recipient genotype was significantly predictive of fibrosis stage, with TT genotype being associated with more rapid fibrosis (Pearson chi-square P = 0.024 for the comparison G versus A). Donor and recipient IL28B genotype were independently associated with sustained virologic response (P < 0.005). The presence of IL28B CC variant in either the recipient (R) or donor (D) liver was associated with increased rate of sustained virologic response (D-non-CC/R-non-CC = 3/19 [16%] versus D-CC/R-non-CC = 11/22 [50%] versus D-non-CC/R-CC = 5/12 [42%] versus R-CC/D-CC = 6/7 [86%], P = 0.0095). IL28B genotype was not significantly associated with survival (overall/liver-related).

CONCLUSION

Recipient IL28B TT genotype is associated with more severe histological recurrence of HCV. Recipient and donor liver IL28B genotype are strongly and independently associated with IFN-based treatment response in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation. The data suggest that CC donor livers might be preferentially allocated to patients with HCV infection.

Pretransplant serum troponin levels are highly predictive of patient and graft survival following liver transplantation

Optimizing the utility of liver transplantation requires the identification of factors that confer increased risk of posttransplant mortality. Elevated serum troponin (TN) levels are strongly predictive of posttransplant mortality after kidney transplantation. We sought to determine whether pretransplant TN levels were predictive of mortality and graft loss after liver transplantation in 236 liver transplant recipients from 1998 to 2001 with 8.2 years of follow-up. Elevated TN levels [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.19, P = 0.004] and a pretransplant history of cardiovascular disease (CVD; HR = 1.90, P = 0.031) were predictive of patient mortality. Elevated TN levels (HR = 2.44, P < 0.001), a history of CVD (HR = 1.83, P = 0.031), and a combination of elevated TN levels and CVD (HR = 2.75, P = 0.027) were associated with increased graft loss. Multivariate analysis confirmed TN and CVD as independent predictors of mortality and graft loss. CVD (HR = 2.39, P = 0.032) and a combination of elevated TN levels and a history of CVD (HR = 6.67, P < 0.001) were predictive of graft loss within 1 year. Age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, creatinine levels, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores were not predictive of posttransplant mortality or graft loss. In summary, elevated pretransplant serum TN levels are strongly predictive of mortality and graft loss after liver transplantation and may be helpful in risk stratification of potential liver transplant recipients.

Evolution of causes and risk factors for mortality post-liver transplant: results of the NIDDK long-term follow-up study

Although mortality rates following liver transplantation (LT) are well described, there is a lack of detailed, prospective studies determining patterns of and risk factors for long-term mortality. We analyzed the multicenter, prospectively obtained The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases LT Database of 798 transplant recipients from 1990 to 1994 (follow-up 2003). Overall, 327 recipients died. Causes of death >1 year: 28% hepatic, 22% malignancy, 11% cardiovascular, 9% infection, 6% renal failure. Renal-related death increased dramatically over time. Risk factors for death >1 year (univariate): male gender, age/decade, pre-LT diabetes, post-LT diabetes, post-LT hypertension, post-LT renal insufficiency, retransplantation >1 year, pre-LT malignancy, alcoholic disease (ALD) and metabolic liver disease, with similar risks noted for death >5 years. Hepatitis C, retransplantation, post-LT diabetes, hypertension and renal insufficiency were significant risk factors for liver-related death. Cardiac deaths associated with age, male gender, ALD, cryptogenic disease, pre-LT hypertension and post-LT renal insufficiency. In summary, the leading causes of late deaths after transplant were graft failure, malignancy, cardiovascular disease and renal failure. Older age, diabetes and renal insufficiency identified patients at highest risk of poor survival overall. Diligent management of modifiable post-LT factors including diabetes, hypertension and renal insufficiency may impact long-term mortality.

Liver transplantation for cholangiocarcinoma

Liver transplantation following high dose neoadjuvant radiotherapy with chemosensitization achieves excellent results for patients with early stage, unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma arising in the setting of primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Antibody-based immunosuppression following liver transplantation: the plot thickens

The role of antibody-based immunosuppression in liver transplant recipients remains an area in which prospective trials are needed.

Long-term probability of and mortality from de novo malignancy after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Information about malignancies that arise in patients after liver transplantation comes from volunteer registry databases and single-center retrospective studies. We analyzed a multicenter, prospectively obtained database to assess the probabilities of and risk factors for de novo malignancies in patients after liver transplantation.

METHODS

We analyzed the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' liver transplantation database of 798 adults who received transplants from April 1990 to June 1994 and long-term follow-up data through January 2003. In this patient population, 171 adult patients developed 271 de novo malignancies. Of these malignancies, 147 were skin-related, 29 were hematologic, and 95 were solid organ cancers; we focused on nonskin malignancies.

RESULTS

The probability of developing any nonskin malignancy was highest in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC; 22% at 10 years) or alcohol-related liver disease (ALD; 18% at 10 years); all other diagnoses had a 10% probability. Multivariate analysis indicated that increased age by decade (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.33, P = .01), a history of smoking (HR = 1.6, P = .046), PSC (HR = 2.5, P = .001), and ALD (HR = 2.1, P = .01) were associated with development of solid malignancies after liver transplantation. The probabilities of death after diagnosis of hematologic and solid malignancy were 44.0% and 38.0% at 1 year and 57.6% and 53.1% at 5 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

De novo malignancy primarily affects patients with PSC or ALD, compared to other transplant recipients, with a significant impact on long-term survival.

Transplantation for cholangiocarcinoma: when and for whom?

Liver transplantation for cholangiocarcinoma has historically been maligned. Because of a high recurrence rate and poor patient survival, the disease has been viewed as an absolute contraindication to transplantation. Based on good results using neoadjuvant and palliative radiation, a protocol for liver transplantation in selected patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma was developed in 1993. Neoadjuvant radiation is followed by operative staging to rule out patients with lymph node metastases before liver transplantation. This approach has achieved results superior to standard surgical therapy, with 72% 5-year survival for patients with unresectable disease.

Insulin resistance, serum adipokines and risk of fibrosis progression in patients transplanted for hepatitis C

In the nontransplant setting diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The impact of early insulin resistance on the development of advanced fibrosis, even in the absence of clinically apparent diabetes mellitus, is not known. Our aim was to determine whether the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) can be used to identify insulin-resistant patients at risk for rapid fibrosis progression. Cohort study including patients transplanted for chronic HCV between January 1, 1995 and January 1, 2005. One hundred sixty patients were included; 25 patients (16%) were treated for diabetes mellitus and 36 patients (23%) were prediabetic, defined as HOMA-IR >2.5. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that insulin resistance (hazard ratio (HR) 2.07; confidence interval (CI) 1.10-3.91, p = 0.024), donor age (HR 1.33;CI 1.08-1.63, p = 0.007) and aspartate aminotransferase (HR 1.03;CI 1.01-1.05, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a higher probability of developing advanced fibrosis, i.e. Knodell fibrosis stage 3 or 4, whereas steatosis (HR 0.94;CI 0.46-1.92, p = 0.87) and acute cellular rejection (HR 1.72;CI 0.88-3.36, p = 0.111) were not. In conclusion, posttransplant insulin resistance is strongly associated with more severe recurrence of HCV infection. HOMA-IR is an important tool for the identification of insulin resistance among patients at risk for rapid fibrosis progression after liver transplantation for HCV.

Liver and intestine transplantation in the United States 1998-2007

Liver transplantation numbers in the United States remained constant from 2004 to 2007, while the number of waiting list candidates has trended down. In 2007, the waiting list was at its smallest since 1999, with adults > or =50 years representing the majority of candidates. Noncholestatic cirrhosis was most commonly diagnosed. Most age groups had decreased waiting list death rates; however, children <1 year had the highest death rate. Use of liver allografts from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors increased in 2007. Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)/pediatric model for end-stage liver disease (PELD) scores have changed very little since 2002, with MELD/PELD <15 accounting for 75% of the waiting list. Over the same period, the number of transplants for MELD/PELD <15 decreased from 16.4% to 9.8%. Hepatocellular carcinoma exceptions increased slightly. The intestine transplantation waiting list decreased from 2006, with the majority of candidates being children <5 years old. Death rates improved, but remain unacceptably high. Policy changes have been implemented to improve allocation and recovery of intestine grafts to positively impact mortality. In addition to evaluating trends in liver and intestine transplantation, we review in depth, issues related to organ acceptance rates, DCD, living donor transplantation and MELD/PELD exceptions.

Impact of pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment on graft survival in liver transplant patients with recurrent hepatitis C infection

Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation for HCV-related end stage liver disease. Although previous studies have shown a short-term effect of interferon-based treatment on fibrosis progression, it is unclear whether this translates to improved graft survival. We evaluated whether treatment of recurrent HCV leads to an improved graft survival. Cohort study included consecutive HCV patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1 January 1995 and 1 January 2005 in the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Two hundred and fifteen patients were included in the study. During a median follow-up of 4.4 years (interquartile range 2.2-6.6), 165 patients (77%) had biopsy-proven recurrent HCV infection confirmed by serum HCV RNA testing. Seventy-eight patients were treated. There were no differences in MELD-score, fibrosis stage or time towards HCV recurrence between treated and untreated patients at time of recurrence. There was a trend for greater frequency of acute cellular rejection among untreated patients. The incidence of graft failure was lower for patients treated within 6 months of recurrence compared to patients not treated within this time-period (log rank p = 0.002). Time-dependent multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that treatment of recurrent HCV infection was statistically significantly associated with a decreased risk of overall graft failure (hazard ratio 0.34; CI 0.15-0.77, p = 0.009) and a decreased risk of graft failure due to recurrent HCV (hazard ratio 0.24; CI 0.08-0.69, p = 0.008). In conclusion, although a cause and effect relationship cannot be established, treatment of recurrent HCV infection after liver transplantation is associated with a reduced risk of graft failure.

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and liver transplantation for ulcerative colitis complicated by primary sclerosing cholangitis

BACKGROUND

The aim was to evaluate outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis complicated by primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) who required ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of 32 patients undergoing both IPAA and OLT between 1980 and 2006. Data were collected regarding demographics, indication for surgery, postoperative complications, and outcome of IPAA and OLT.

RESULTS

Thirty-day mortality after either procedure was nil. The median preoperative Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score for the group with initial IPAA was 8 (range 6-20) and the postoperative score was 11 (range 6-19). At 1 and 10 years, 32 and 26 of the 32 liver grafts had survived, and 31 and 30 of the 32 pouches, respectively. Fourteen patients require daily medical therapy for chronic pouchitis. At a median follow-up of 3.6 (range 0.2-16.2) years after the second of two procedures, responding patients reported a median of 5.5 stools per day and 2 stools per night.

CONCLUSION

IPAA and OLT are feasible and safe in patients requiring both procedures for ulcerative colitis and PSC. Functional outcomes are stable over time, despite an increased risk of chronic pouchitis.

The impact of obesity on long-term outcomes in liver transplant recipients-results of the NIDDK liver transplant database

The impact of obesity on outcomes following liver transplantation has been difficult to determine, in part due to the confounding effects of ascites on BMI. We evaluated the impact of pretransplant recipient obesity on outcomes following liver transplantation using the NIDDK Liver Transplantation Database. Pretransplant BMI, corrected for ascites, was categorized as underweight (BMI <18 kg/m(2)), normal weight (BMI 18-25 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI 25.1-30 kg/m(2)), Class I obese (BMI 30.1-35 kg/m(2)), Class II obese (BMI 35.1-40 kg/m(2)) and Class III obese (BMI >40 kg/m(2)). Primary outcomes were patient and graft survival. Secondary outcomes included days in hospital and days in ICU. Data from 704 adult liver transplant recipients from the NIDDK LTD and a further 609 patients from the Mayo Clinic were analyzed. Early and late patient and graft survival was similar across all BMI categories. Correcting for ascites volume resulted in 11-20% of patients moving into a lower BMI classification. The relative risk for mortality increased by 7% for each liter of ascites removed. We conclude that corrected BMI is not independently predictive of patient or graft survival. Obesity, within the ranges observed in this study, should not be considered to be a contraindication to liver transplantation in the absence of other relative contraindications.

Vascular complications after orthotopic liver transplantation after neoadjuvant therapy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Liver transplantation after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment for patients with localized, node-negative, unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) or CCA arising in the setting of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). However, concern has arisen regarding the potential for vascular complications due to high-dose neoadjuvant therapy before transplantation. We reviewed our experience with specific aims to determine the incidences of arterial, portal, and hepatic venous complications in patients transplanted for CCA compared with patients who undergo transplantation for other indications, and to describe patient outcome as a result of these vascular complications. We reviewed data for all patients who underwent liver transplantation for CCA between January 1993 and April 2006 and compared the incidences of vascular complications to whole organ and living donor recipient control groups. Sixty-eight patients underwent neoadjuvant therapy and subsequent liver transplantation. Arterial complications arose in 21%; portal venous complications arose in 22%; and overall, 40% developed vascular complications. Late hepatic artery complications occurred more often in living donor recipients transplanted for CCA compared with the living donor control group (P=0.047). Late portal vein complications occurred more often in both whole organ and living donor recipients transplanted for CCA compared with the control groups (P=0.01 and P=0.009). Hepatic venous complications were rare. Patient and graft survival were not different between CCA and control patients. Liver transplantation with neoadjuvant therapy is associated with far higher rates of late arterial and portal venous complications, but these complications do not adversely affect patient and graft survival.

Predictors of disease recurrence following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and liver transplantation for unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Sixty-five patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy per a clinical care protocol developed in 1993. We reviewed our experience with the aim to identify clinicopathological predictors of disease recurrence.

METHODS

All patients with CCA that underwent OLT at our institution between 1993 and January 1, 2006 were treated in accord with our published protocol. We analyzed multiple clinical and explant pathologic factors using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients with CCA underwent OLT. Four patients died within six months due to postoperative complications. At last follow-up, 11 patients (17%) had developed recurrence seven to 64 months after OLT. Mean time to recurrence was 29 months, and eight patients had died from recurrent disease. Patient and disease-free survival were 76% and 60% five years after OLT. Predictors of recurrence were older age, pretransplant cancer antigen (CA) 19-9 >100 U/ml, prior cholecystectomy, mass on cross-sectional imaging, residual tumor in explant >2 cm, tumor grade and perineural invasion in explant. Underlying primary sclerosing cholangitis, percutaneous biliary intubation, gender, and other time points for CA 19-9 were not associated with recurrence. Prolonged staging-to-OLT intervals for patients transplanted after implementation of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) showed a trend toward increased recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients and those with high CA-19.9 levels, and larger tumors are more likely to develop recurrent disease. Prolonged waiting time may emerge as a significant risk factor with longer follow-up. These findings may guide patient selection, applicability of live donor transplantation and MELD score exceptions for this aggressive protocol.

Glomerular volume and renal histology in obese and non-obese living kidney donors

The link between obesity and renal disease is unclear, and there is no consensus as to whether obese individuals are at increased risk for kidney disease after living kidney donation if they otherwise meet acceptance criteria. We retrospectively studied time-zero (implantation) biopsies in 49 obese (body mass index (BMI) > or = 30 kg/m2) and 41 non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m2) renal donors that met acceptance criteria. We found that our obese donor population had higher systolic blood pressure (P < 0.001 vs non-obese) and higher absolute iothalamate clearance (P = 0.001 vs non-obese) before donation. The obese donors had larger glomerular planar surface area compared to non-obese controls (P = 0.017), and this parameter correlated with patient weight and urinary microalbumin excretion. Detailed examination of the biopsies revealed that although most histologic findings were similar between groups, the obese donors had more tubular dilation (P = 0.01), but less tubular vacuolization (P = 0.02) than the non-obese controls. There was also a trend toward more arterial hyalinosis in the obese patients than controls (P = 0.08). From these data, our studies detected subtle differences in donor organs obtained from obese compared to non-obese individuals. Further studies should be carried out to quantify the long-term impact of these findings.

Liver transplantation with neoadjuvant chemoradiation is more effective than resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Compare survival after neoadjuvant therapy and liver transplantation with survival after resection for patients with hilar CCA.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

We developed a protocol combining neoadjuvant radiotherapy, chemosensitization, and orthotopic liver transplantation for patients with operatively confirmed stage I and II hilar CCA in 1993. Since then, patients with unresectable CCA or CCA arising in the setting of PSC have been enrolled in the transplant protocol. Patients with tumors amenable to resection have undergone excision of the extrahepatic duct with lymphadenectomy and liver resection.

METHODS

We reviewed our experience between January 1993 and August 2004 and compared patient survival between the treatment groups.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients entered the transplant treatment protocol and 38 underwent liver transplantation. Fifty-four patients were explored for resection. Twenty-six (48%) underwent resection, and 28 (52%) had unresectable disease. One-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival were 92%, 82%, and 82% after transplantation and 82%, 48%, and 21% after resection (P = 0.022). There were fewer recurrences in the transplant patients (13% versus 27%).

CONCLUSIONS

Liver transplantation with neoadjuvant chemoradiation achieved better survival with less recurrence than conventional resection and should be considered as an alternative to resection for patients with localized, node-negative hilar CCA.

Early subclinical coronary artery calcification in young adults who were pediatric kidney transplant recipients

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in adults after successful kidney transplantation. Children who have undergone successful kidney transplantation are entering young adulthood; however, the prevalence and extent of CAD in this population is unknown. We conducted a pilot study in young adults with stable allograft function, who received kidney transplants as children to measure coronary artery calcification (CAC), a marker of coronary artery atherosclerosis and CAD. We evaluated 19 young adults after successful pediatric kidney transplantation for known CAD risk factors; these patients underwent noninvasive imaging with electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) for measurement of CAC. Prevalence and quantity of CAC were then compared to asymptomatic individuals from the community. All patients had multiple risk factors for CAD. Mean age at evaluation was 32 years (range: 21-48 years). CAC is uncommon in individuals in the community in this age range; however, nearly half of our patients had CAC detected with the quantity of CAC comparable to asymptomatic individuals from the community 10-40 years older. These data suggest young adults who received pediatric kidney transplants are at increased risk for developing early CAC and need close monitoring to detect early CAD so as to prevent premature cardiac morbidity and mortality.

Obesity in living kidney donors: clinical characteristics and outcomes in the era of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Acceptance of obese individuals as living kidney donors is controversial related to possible increased risk for surgical complications and concern that obesity may contribute to long-term renal disease. We retrospectively examined 553 consecutive hand-assisted laparoscopic living kidney donations between October 1, 1999 and April 1, 2003. We stratified donors into quartiles by baseline body mass index (BMI) assessing perioperative complications and 6-12 months post-donation metabolic and renal function. Compared to BMI <25 kg/m(2), high BMI donors (> or =35 kg/m(2)) had slightly longer operative times (mean increase 19 min), more overall perioperative complications (mostly minor wound complications), yet the same low rate of major surgical complications (conversion to open and re-operation) and similar length-of-stay (2.3 vs. 2.4 days). At 6-12 months after donation (mean 11 months), renal function and microalbuminuria did not differ with BMI. These results suggest that laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is generally safe in selected obese donors and does not result in a high rate of major perioperative complications. Obese donors have higher baseline cardiovascular risk and warrant risk reduction for long-term health. While early results are encouraging, we advocate careful study of obese donors and do not support their widespread use until longer follow-up is available.

Living donor liver transplantation using a right lobe graft in an adult with situs inversus

Situs inversus totalis is a rare anatomic variant in which there is a complete mirror image of the thoracic and abdominal viscera. The common association of situs inversus and biliary atresia has led to a variety of modifications of surgical techniques utilizing both living donor and deceased donor liver grafts, with mixed results in the pediatric liver transplant population. The use of a living donor liver graft in an adult with situs inversus has not yet been described. However, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has produced excellent results in the adult population, particularly in the cholestatic population, which may be disadvantaged by the model for end-stage liver disease system. This is the first report of a successful living donor right liver graft in an adult with end-stage liver disease secondary to primary sclerosing cholangitis and situs inversus totalis.

Transplantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

1. Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have a 8 to 12% risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). 2. Cytologic techniques for aneuploidy such as digital image analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization increase the detection rate for CCA. 3. Survival following resection for CCA is 20% to 40% at 5 years. 4. Survival following liver transplantation for unresectable, perihilar CCAs, mass lesion if present <3 cm, is greater than 80% at 5 years. 5. Patients with intrahepatic CCAs are not eligible for liver transplantation.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for pediatric kidney allograft recipients

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is the method of choice for procuring kidneys from living donors at many transplant centers. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility as well as outcome of LDN in pediatric recipients. Twenty-two pediatric patients, 18-yr old or younger received kidneys procured by a hand-assisted LDN technique. The mean operative time was no different (p = 0.9) and the mean length of stay was more than 1 day shorter in the LDN group (p = 0.0001) compared with the 13 pediatric patients who received kidneys by standard open nephrectomy. Body mass index (BMI), number of donor kidney vessels, or laterality of the kidney did not impact the donor operation or outcome. Actuarial 1-yr patient survival was 100% and allograft survival was 95%, which are equivalent to registry data. There were no donor mortalities and there were five morbidities. None required hospitalization. There were no conversions from LDN to open nephrectomy. One kidney was lost because of overwhelming infection necessitating withdrawal of immunosuppression. In conclusion, hand-assisted LDN is a safe method of procuring kidneys from potential donors with no significant negative outcomes to the pediatric recipients.

Patient and graft outcomes from older living kidney donors are similar to those from younger donors despite lower GFR

BACKGROUND

Donor age adversely affects deceased-donor kidney transplant outcomes, but its influence on living-donor transplantation is less well characterized.

METHODS

Living-donor kidney transplants at a single center between 1998 and 2000 were reviewed. Data were abstracted for 52 transplants from donors aged > or =50 years and for a matched group of 104 transplants from donors aged <50 years. Survival indices were compared during the first three years' post-transplantation. Functional indices, including serial iothalamate clearances, were compared at 1, 12, and 24 months.

RESULTS

Predonation glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was lower among older donors (94 +/- 12 vs. 108 +/- 17 mL/min/SA) but post-transplant compensatory hypertrophy was similar (11.7 +/- 26.3% vs. 7.7 +/- 31.4%). Recipients of older-donor grafts were older (52.8 +/- 16.5 vs. 46.1 +/- 15.1 years) and more frequently unrelated to the donor (54% vs. 39%). Trends toward higher frequency of slow graft function, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, and polyomavirus nephropathy were observed for older-donor grafts. Three-year recipient, graft, and death-censored graft survivals were > or =90% for both groups. At 1, 12, and 24 months, serum creatinine was higher and GFR was lower among recipients of older- compared with younger-donor grafts. Other functional indices (urine total protein, serum potassium and uric acid, hemoglobin, and number of antihypertensives) were not different. Donor age correlated with graft GFR at 1, 12, and 24 months for the entire study cohort by linear regression.

CONCLUSION

Older donor age does not preclude excellent results from living-donor kidney transplantation but should be appreciated as being associated with relatively lower GFR.

Liver transplantation for unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Patients with unresectable, stage I and II perihilar cholangiocarcinoma were treated with neoadjuvant external beam irradiation, brachytherapy, and 5-fluorouracil and/or oral capecitabine prior to liver transplantation. Fifty-six patients underwent treatment between 1993 and 2003. Four patients died and 4 had disease progression prior to completion of neoadjuvant therapy. Forty-eight patients underwent operative staging and 14 had findings precluding transplantation. Twenty-eight patients underwent transplantation and 6 patients are awaiting transplantation. Three patients died from perioperative complications, and 4 developed recurrent disease 22 to 63 months after transplantation. Actuarial patient survival was 54% at 5 years for all 56 patients, 64% for 48 operatively staged patients, and 84% for 34 patients with negative staging operations. Actuarial survival was 88% at 1 year and 82 % 5 years after transplantation. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with liver transplantation achieves excellent results for patients with localized, regional lymph node negative, hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Routine preoperative laboratory analyses are unnecessary before elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

We formulated a clinical pathway (CP) for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), which included the following preoperative evaluation: history and physical (H&P), right upper quadrant ultrasound (US), and liver function tests (LFTs). We hypothesized that routine LFTs did not alter management beyond that dictated by H&P and US, and could be excluded from the CP.

METHODS

The study involved 387 consecutive patients undergoing elective LC. Abnormalities in the preoperative evaluation were compared with the finding of choledocholithiasis or other unexpected outcomes.

RESULTS

In 187 (48%) patients, abnormalities were found by H&P (n = 7), US (n = 13), and LFTs (n = 177). Seven patients (2%) had documented choledocholithiasis; two had abnormal H & P; three had abnormal US; and four had abnormal LFTs. No patient with choledocholithiasis had abnormal LFTs but normal H&P and US.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine LFTs before elective LC are not cost effective. Before LC H&P and US are warranted, but LFTs do not add any useful information and should not be routinely measured.

Predicting failure of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is safe and feasible, but factors related to the failure of outpatient surgery are poorly defined. We hypothesized that patients in whom same day discharge (SDD) is unlikely may be identified preoperatively.

METHODS

Three hundred eighty-seven consecutive patients scheduled for elective LC were prospectively enrolled in an outpatient clinical pathway.

RESULTS

In all, 269 (70%) patients successfully underwent outpatient LC. Factors related to failure of SDD were age, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class, surgery start time, and duration of surgery. Body mass index, liver function tests, and ultrasound findings did not predict failure of SDD. Three factors were able to predict more than 50% failure of SDD: age more than 50 years, ASA class 3 or more, and surgery start time later than 1:00 PM.

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient LC is feasible in a large county hospital. These data may be used in scheduling cases and counseling patients.

TNF receptor I mediates chemokine production and neutrophil accumulation in the lung following systemic lipopolysaccharide

BACKGROUND

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a critical effector of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury, and its effects are mediated by two structurally related receptors, RI and RII. Cellular adhesion molecules and C-X-C chemokines (Keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) and macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-2) regulate tissue neutrophil polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) accumulation in a multitude of inflammatory states. We hypothesized that TNFRI signaling dictates PMN accumulation in the lung via regulation of chemokine molecule production. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to (1) delineate LPS-induced lung TNF-alpha production and (2) characterize the contribution of both TNF receptors to lung chemokine production and neutrophil influx following systemic LPS.

METHODS

Wild-type or TNFRI and TNFRII knockout (KO) mice were injected with vehicle (saline) or LPS (Escherichia coli 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally). After 2, 4, 6, or 24 h, lungs were analyzed for TNF-alpha and chemokine (KC and MIP-2) protein expression (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and PMN accumulation (myeloperoxidase assay).

RESULTS

There was an increase in total lung TNF-alpha (vehicle, 5.0 +/- 1.2 pg/mg total protein vs LPS, 950 +/- 318; P < 0.05) after LPS. Lung chemokine production and PMN accumulation were also increased compared to vehicle-injected mice. Lung chemokine production and PMN accumulation were significantly lower in TNFRI KO, but not TNFRII KO, mice, despite no difference in TNF-alpha production (TNFRI KO, 925 +/- 301 vs TNFRII KO, 837 +/- 267, P = 0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute lung injury following systemic LPS administration is characterized by increased lung (1) TNF-alpha production, (2) C-X-C chemokine production, and (3) neutrophil accumulation. The maximal effect of LPS-induced lung neutrophil accumulation appears to be dependent upon the TNFRI receptor but not the TNFRII receptor. .

TNF receptor I is required for induction of macrophage heat shock protein 70

Expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) is an adaptive response to cellular stress. Stress induces tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production. In turn, TNF-alpha induces HSP70 expression. However, osmotic stress or ultraviolet radiation activates TNF-alpha receptor I (TNFR-I) in the absence of TNF-alpha. We postulated that TNF-alpha receptors are involved in the induction of HSP70 by cellular stress. Peritoneal Mphi were isolated from wild-type (WT), TNF-alpha knockout (KO), and TNFR (I or II) KO mice. Cells were cultured overnight and then heat stressed at 43 +/- 0.5 degrees C for 30 min followed by a 4-h recovery at 37 degrees C. Cellular HSP70 expression was induced by heat stress or exposure to endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] as determined by immunoblotting. HSP70 expression induced by either heat or LPS was markedly decreased in TNFR-I KO Mphi, whereas TNFR-II KO Mphi exhibited HSP70 expression comparable to that in WT mice. Expression of HSP70 after heat stress in TNF-alpha KO Mphi was also similar to that in WT mice, suggesting that induction of HSP70 by TNFR-I occurs independently of TNF-alpha. In addition, levels of steady-state HSP70 mRNA were similar by RT-PCR in WT and TNFR-I KO Mphi despite differences in protein expression. Furthermore, the effect of TNFR-I appears to be cell specific, since HSP70 expression in splenocytes isolated from TNFR-I KO was similar to that in WT splenocytes. These studies demonstrate that TNFR-I is required for the synthesis of HSP70 in stressed Mphi by a TNF-independent mechanism and support an intracellular role for TNFR-I.