Procalcitonin as a prognostic marker for infectious complications in liver transplant recipients in an intensive care unit

Pre-transplant Serum Procalcitonin as a Predictor of Early Post-transplant Sepsis and Mortality After Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Prospective Observational Study

PURPOSE

The early post-transplant period after liver transplantation is critical, as recipients are highly susceptible to sepsis due to their immune-compromised state. This study aimed to identify the association between preoperative procalcitonin and early post-transplant sepsis and mortality at one month after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

METHODOLOGY

All patients who underwent LDLT from July 2021 to December 2021 were recruited prospectively. Participants were divided into two groups based on preoperative PCT levels: elevated (>0.5 ng/ml) and low levels (<0.5 ng/ml). Serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels were measured on the day of transplant and on postoperative days 3 and 7. The relationship between preoperative PCT and post-transplant sepsis was evaluated using a Chi-square test, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated.

RESULTS

Sepsis occurred in 48.3% of patients, with a significant association between elevated preoperative PCT levels and early post-transplant sepsis (p=0.023). The ROC curve for preoperative PCT showed moderate predictive ability (area under curve (AUC)=0.664), while PCT levels on postoperative day 3 demonstrated better discriminatory power (AUC=0.790). PCT levels measured on day 7 also had good diagnostic accuracy, with an AUC of 0.843 and a significant difference between the sepsis and non-sepsis groups (p=0.002). The length of ICU stay was significantly longer in the sepsis group (p=0.009).  Conclusion: Elevated preoperative PCT levels can predict early post-transplant sepsis in LDLT patients. PCT monitoring may enhance risk stratification and guide perioperative management, improving post-transplant outcomes.

Perioperative care in acute liver failure: An anaesthesiologist perspective in the operating theatre

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening condition characterized by rapid liver function deterioration, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach for optimal perioperative care. This comprehensive review focuses on the critical role of the anaesthesiologist throughout the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases, addressing the unique challenges posed by ALF. The article begins with an exploration of ALF, underlining the urgency of timely referral to specialized hepatology centres. Liver transplantation emerges as a life-saving intervention, and the complex decision-making process is discussed, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary team to assess transplantation candidacy based on established prognostic criteria. In the preoperative phase, the review stresses the importance of early engagement with tertiary liver centres for timely referrals and identifies patients suitable for transplantation. Safe transport protocols are detailed, highlighting the meticulous planning required for the secure transfer of ALF patients between healthcare facilities. The intraoperative management section delves into the anaesthesiologist's key concerns, including neurological status, sepsis, acute kidney injury, body mass index, and preoperative fasting. Hemodynamic stability, fluid management, and coagulation balance during surgery are emphasized, with insights into anaesthesia techniques, vascular access, monitoring, and hemodynamic management tailored to the challenges posed by ALF patients. The postoperative care is thoroughly examined covering neurological, hemodynamic, metabolic, renal, and nutritional aspects. Management of ALF involves multidisciplinary team, including nephrology for continuous renal replacement therapy, transfusion medicine for plasma exchange, critical care for overall patient care, nutritionists for ensuring adequate nutrition, and hepatologists as the primary guides. In conclusion, the review recognizes the anaesthesiologist as a linchpin in the perioperative care of ALF patients. The integration of safe transport protocols and multidisciplinary approach is deemed crucial for navigating complexities of ALF, contributing to improved patient outcomes. This article serves as an invaluable resource for gastroenterologist and intensivists, enhancing their understanding of the anaesthesiologist's indispensable role in the holistic care of ALF patients in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Navigating the Labyrinth: Intensive Care Challenges for Patients with Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) refers to the deterioration of liver function in individuals who already have chronic liver disease. In the setting of ACLF, liver damage leads to the failure of other organs and is associated with increased short-term mortality. Optimal medical management of patients with ACLF requires implementing complex treatment strategies, often in an intensive care unit (ICU). Failure of organs other than the liver distinguishes ACLF from other critical illnesses. Although there is growing evidence supporting the current approach to ACLF management, the mortality associated with this condition remains unacceptably high. In this review, we discuss considerations for ICU care of patients with ACLF and highlight areas for further research.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Procalcitonin for Infection After Adult Liver Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Background: Post-operative infection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adults early after liver transplantation (LT). Procalcitonin (PCT) may be a good test method for early diagnosis of post-operative infection and determining its severity. This study was performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of PCT as a biomarker for infection after LT. Patients and Methods: A meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted for studies reporting diagnostic performance of PCT for infection in adults after LT. Observational studies were evaluated for their reporting of diagnostic accuracy, relevance, and quality. Results: Ten eligible studies assessing 730 patients were included in this meta-analysis and systematic review summarizing the diagnostic value of PCT for post-operative infection in adult liver transplantation. Pooled sensitivity and specificity with corresponding 95% confidence interval were 69% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54-81; heterogeneity I2 = 82.4%) and 88% (95% CI, 82-92; I2 = 52.7%), respectively. The diagnostic odd ratio (DOR) was 16 (95% CI, 10-25; I2 = 76.4%). The summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) of PCT for post-operative infection was 0.88. There was a wide range of variability in the cutoff values, ranging from 0.22 to 42.80 ng/mL. Heterogeneity was reduced by excluding studies that focused on pediatric LT recipients. Conclusions: Procalcitonin is a moderately accurate diagnostic marker for post-operative infection in adult LT. Additionally, the diagnostic performance can be improved by combining it with other inflammatory biomarkers. This article provides the research direction for post-operative infection control.

Procalcitonin in early allograft dysfunction after orthotopic liver transplantation: a retrospective single centre study

Background

Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is the pathophysiological hallmark of hepatic dysfunction after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Related to IRI, early allograft dysfunction (EAD) after OLT affects short- and long-term outcome. During inflammatory states, the liver seems to be the main source of procalcitonin (PCT), which has been shown to increase independently of bacterial infection. This study investigates the association of PCT, IRI and EAD as well as the predictive value of PCT during the first postoperative week in terms of short- and long-term outcome after OLT.

Methods

Patients ≥ 18 years undergoing OLT between January 2016 and April 2020 at the University Hospital of Zurich were eligible for this retrospective study. Patients with incomplete PCT data on postoperative days (POD) 1 + 2 or combined liver-kidney transplantation were excluded. The PCT course during the first postoperative week, its association with EAD, defined by the criteria of Olthoff, and IRI, defined as aminotransferase level > 2000 IU/L within 2 PODs, were analysed. Finally, 90-day as well as 12-month graft and patient survival were assessed.

Results

Of 234 patients undergoing OLT, 110 patients were included. Overall, EAD and IRI patients had significantly higher median PCT values on POD 2 [31.3 (9.7–53.8) mcg/l vs. 11.1 (5.3–25.0) mcg/l; p < 0.001 and 27.7 (9.7–51.9) mcg/l vs. 11.5 (5.5–25.2) mcg/l; p < 0.001] and impaired 90-day graft survival (79.2% vs. 95.2%; p = 0.01 and 80.4% vs. 93.8%; p = 0.033). IRI patients with PCT < 15 mcg/l on POD 2 had reduced 90-day graft and patient survival (57.9% vs. 93.8%; p = 0.001 and 68.4% vs. 93.8%; p = 0.008) as well as impaired 12-month graft and patient survival (57.9% vs. 96.3%; p = 0.001 and 68.4% vs. 96.3%; p = 0.008), while the outcome of IRI patients with PCT > 15 mcg/l on POD 2 was comparable to that of patients without IRI/EAD.

Conclusion

Generally, PCT is increased in the early postoperative phase after OLT. Patients with EAD and IRI have a significantly increased PCT maximum on POD 2, and impaired 90-day graft survival. PCT measurement may have potential as an additional outcome predictor in the early phase after OLT, as in our subanalysis of IRI patients, PCT values < 15 mcg/l were associated with impaired outcome.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-022-02486-5.

Evaluation of procalcitonin (PCT) as a marker of infection in early post living donated liver transplant period

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Procalcitonin (PCT) has been increasingly used as a biomarker of bacterial infection and as a tool to guide antimicrobial therapy. Despite its increased use, data in patients with solid organ transplants are limited. The study aimed to assess the frequency of rising PCT associated with infectious complications in immunosuppressed living donated liver transplantation.

METHODS

A single-center, retrospective observational study. Preoperative patients' demographic data, operative, anesthetic data, and postoperative clinical course were analyzed post-liver transplant (LT) till discharge from the intensive care unit.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were classified according to the culture results' into a positive culture group & a negative one and then followed up the sepsis variables in each group. Total leukocyte count (TLC) was elevated in the positive culture group in comparison to the negative culture one and was statistically significant (P-value <0.05) till the fourth day postoperative. Procalcitonin was higher in the positive culture group than in the negative one on days 1, 3, and 5 postoperative and was statistically significant (P-value <0.05). The cutoff values in the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) with >90% specificity to infection post LT were PCT of ≥9 ng/ml and TLC of ≥17.3/mm3 on day one.

CONCLUSIONS

Following up PCT level on day one with TLC is essential and will help to detect sepsis and guide early antimicrobial initiation post-liver transplantation. Combined measurements of PCT and TLC with cutoff values of <9 ng/ml and < 17.3/mm³ respectively will help to exclude infections in 83.7% of patients, thus avoiding unnecessary usage of higher generations empiric antimicrobials.

C-Reactive Protein Is an Independent Predictor of 30-Day Bacterial Infection Post-Liver Transplantation

The relationship between aseptic systemic inflammation and postoperative bacterial infection is unclear. We investigated the correlation of systemic inflammation biomarkers with 30-day clinically significant bacterial infections (CSI) after liver transplantation (LT). This retrospective study enrolled 940 patients who received LT and were followed for 30 days. The primary end point was 30-day CSI events. The cohort was divided into exploratory (n = 508) and validation (n = 432) sets according to different centers. Area under the receiver operated characteristic (AUROC) and Cox regression models were fitted to study the association between baseline systemic inflammation levels and CSI after LT. A total of 255 bacterial infectious events in 209 recipients occurred. Among systemic inflammation parameters, baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) was independently associated with 30-day CSI in the exploratory group. The combination of CRP and organ failure number showed a good discrimination for 30-day CSI (AUROC = 0.80, 95% CI, 0.76–0.84) and the results were confirmed in an external verification group. Additionally, CRP levels were correlated with bacterial product lipopolysaccharide. In conclusion, our study suggests that pre-transplantation CRP is independent of other prognostic factors for 30-day CSI post-LT, and can be integrated into tools for assessing the risk of bacterial infection post-LT or as a component of prognostic models.

Applicability of common inflammatory markers in diagnosing infections in early period after liver transplantation in intensive care setting

Infections remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality early after liver transplantation. The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to evaluate clinical utility of c-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in surveillance of infections early after liver transplantation in intensive care setting. A total of 60 liver transplant recipients were included. CRP, procalcitonin, and NLR assessed at 12-hour intervals were primary variables of interest. Infections and severe complications during postoperative intensive care unit stay were the primary and secondary end-points, respectively. Infections and severe complications were diagnosed in 9 and 17 patients, respectively. Only peak CRP beyond first 48 hours was associated with infections (p = 0.038) with AUC, positive and negative predictive value of 0.728, 42.9% and 92.2%, respectively (cut-off: 142.7 mg/L). Peak procalcitonin over first 60 hours was the earliest predictor (p = 0.050) of severe complications with AUC, positive and negative predictive value of 0.640, 53.3% and 80.0%, respectively (cut-off: 42.8 ng/mL). In conclusion, while CRP, procalcitonin, and NLR cannot be used for accurate diagnosis of infections immediately after liver transplantation, peak CRP beyond 48 hours and peak procalcitonin over first 60 hours may be used for initial exclusion of infections and prediction of severe complications, respectively.

Prognostic Value of Procalcitonin, CRP, Serum Amyloid A, Lactate and IL-6 Markers in Liver Transplant Patients Admitted to ED with Suspected Infection

BACKGROUND/AIM

Infections are one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity after liver transplantation as in all transplantations. Infectious complications are known to be among the preventable causes with appropriate diagnosis and treatment. So early prediction of the risk of infections will provide an effective approach to determine the local antimicrobial resistance and prevention of specific risk factors. The aim of this study was to deterimne whether specific markers are useful or not to deterimne a suspected infection in patients that have undergone liver transplantation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 65 patients with liver transplantation admitted to emergency room with suspicion of infection. These patient's CRP, procalsitonin (PCT), lactate, SAA and IL-6 levels were initially measured in the emergency department. The patients were classified to three categories according to culture results; culture-negative, culture-positive and control group. Studying parameters were investigated according to whether the culture was positive or negative in these patients.

RESULTS

CRP, PCT, lactate, SAA and IL-6 levels were significanlty high in patients with suspected infeciton when compared to the control group (p<0.05). CRP, PCT and IL-6 levels were higher in the culture-positive group than in the culture-negative group and there was a significant variation (p<0.05). When suspecting an infection evaluating the parameters CRP, PCT and IL-6 was very meaningfull (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

We can use CRP, PCT, lactate, SAA and IL-6 parameters to identify presence of infection at the liver transplantation patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected infection. If CRP, PCT and IL-6 levels are significantly high we can guess the patient's positive culture.

Pretransplant serum procalcitonin level for prediction of early post-transplant sepsis in living donor liver transplantation

AIM

Infection is a frequent cause of in-hospital mortality after liver transplantation (LT). Elimination of possible risks in the pretransplant period, early diagnosis of post-transplant sepsis, and prompt treatment with antimicrobial agents are important. The objectives of this study were to analyze the impact of early post-transplant sepsis on outcomes and to clarify the value of predictive factors for early post-transplant sepsis.

METHODS

The study included 136 patients who underwent initial living donor LT (LDLT) at our institute between April 2009 and December 2016. Sepsis was defined using the third international consensus criteria. The results of biochemical tests at the introduction of anesthesia before LDLT were collected for pretransplant evaluation.

RESULTS

Post-transplant sepsis was found in 37 patients (27.2%). More patients had a pre-transplant serum procalcitonin (PCT) level >0.5 ng/mL in the sepsis group than in the non-sepsis group (11 [29.7%] vs 10 [10.1%]; P = 0.007). The 1-year survival rate in the sepsis group was significantly lower than in the non-sepsis group (53.8% vs 87.2%; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified pretransplant serum PCT >0.5 ng/mL (odds ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-10.9; P = 0.01) as the only independent risk factor for post-transplant sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival of patients with early post-transplant sepsis was poor and the incidence of sepsis was associated with the pretransplant serum PCT level. Re-evaluation of the general condition and rescheduling of LT should be considered in a patient with pretransplant serum PCT >0.5 ng/mL.

Role of biomarkers in early infectious complications after lung transplantation

Background

Infections and primary graft dysfunction are devastating complications in the immediate postoperative period following lung transplantation. Nowadays, reliable diagnostic tools are not available. Biomarkers could improve early infection diagnosis.

Methods

Multicentre prospective observational study that included all centres authorized to perform lung transplantation in Spain. Lung infection and/or primary graft dysfunction presentation during study period (first postoperative week) was determined. Biomarkers were measured on ICU admission and daily till ICU discharge or for the following 6 consecutive postoperative days.

Results

We included 233 patients. Median PCT levels were significantly lower in patients with no infection than in patients with Infection on all follow up days. PCT levels were similar for PGD grades 1 and 2 and increased significantly in grade 3. CRP levels were similar in all groups, and no significant differences were observed at any study time point. In the absence of PGD grade 3, PCT levels above median (0.50 ng/ml on admission or 1.17 ng/ml on day 1) were significantly associated with more than two- and three-fold increase in the risk of infection (adjusted Odds Ratio 2.37, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 5.30 and 3.44, 95% confidence interval 1.52 to 7.78, respectively).

Conclusions

In the absence of severe primary graft dysfunction, procalcitonin can be useful in detecting infections during the first postoperative week. PGD grade 3 significantly increases PCT levels and interferes with the capacity of PCT as a marker of infection. PCT was superior to CRP in the diagnosis of infection during the study period.

Procalcitonin for infections in the first week after pediatric liver transplantation

Background

Procalcitonin (PCT) has become a commonly used serum inflammatory marker. Our aim was to describe the kinetics and usefulness of serial post-operative PCT measurements to detect bacterial infection in a cohort of children immediately after pediatric liver transplantation (pLT).

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of a cohort of pLT recipients with serial serum PCT measurements in the first week following pLT. The presence of infection was determined on clinical and biological parameters. Normal PCT was defined as < 0.5 (ng/ml).

Results

Thirty-nine patients underwent 41 pLT. PCT was measured daily during the first week post pLT. Values first increased following surgery and then decreased, nearing 0.5 ng/ml at day seven. Peak PCT reached a median of 5.61 ng/ml (IQR 3.83-10.8). Seventeen patients were considered to have an infection. There was no significant difference in daily PCT or peak PCT between infected and non infected patients during the first post-operative week. AUC of ROC curve for PCT during first week was never higher than 0.6.

Conclusions

We conclude that serial PCT measurements during the first week after pLT is not useful to identify patients with bacterial infections. Rather, we propose that serum PCT may be useful after the first week post pLT.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2234-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prognostic and diagnostic value of procalcitonin in the post-transplant setting after liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) as a marker for complications and as a prognostic factor for mortality after liver transplantation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Liver transplant patients between January 2007 and April 2011 were prospectively included in the study. Procalcitonin serum concentration was recorded before, 6 h after reperfusion and then daily. Postoperative clinical course was prospectively analyzed from admission to discharge. Main surgical data such as operating procedure, type of reperfusion, operating and ischemic times, high urgency (HU) status and MELD score at the time of transplantation were also recorded.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients with initial PCT > 5 ng/ml suffered ≥ 1 complication (p = 0.03). However, there was no association between the level of the 1(st) peak PCT and the further postoperative course or the occurrence of complications. Patients in whom a 2(nd) PCT peak occurred had a significantly higher risk for a complicated course, for a complicated sepsis course and for mortality (p < 0.0001). Warm ischemic time over 58 min, operating time over 389 min and HU status were significant independent factors for a complicated postoperative course (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.03 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results, we believe that PCT course and the occurrence of a 2(nd) peak seem to possess important diagnostic and prognostic power in the post-transplant setting after liver transplantation.

Kinetics of interleukin-6, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein after pediatric liver transplantation

In the early phase after pediatric liver transplantation (pLT) several concomitant factors may reduce the performance of established sepsis markers. To date, their clinical interpretation is hindered by a lack of information on their postoperative kinetics. To gather more information on the postoperative course and their changes in bacterial sepsis, we prospectively studied C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and procalcitonin (PCT) on 9 perioperative days in 25 consecutive pLTs. After an initial postoperative peak, IL-6 and CRP levels significantly re-increased in patients with bacterial sepsis (P < .001). In contrast, PCT had very high postoperative levels; therefore severe infection was a comparatively inferior trigger for PCT elevation compared with the initial operation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to diagnose postoperative sepsis for PCT was only 0.52, compared with 0.95 for IL-6 and 0.89 for CRP. None of the studied biomarkers were depressed by poor graft function. In conclusion, PCT performs poorly as a biomarker for sepsis in the early phase after pLT. With a rapid decline of initially elevated levels, IL-6 provides the best kinetics for detection of postoperative bacterial sepsis.

Low serum factor V level: early predictor of allograft failure and death following liver transplantation

PURPOSE

According to the current criteria, the diagnosis of early allograft dysfunction usually cannot be established before the end of the first week after liver transplantation. Thus, early predictive tests for detecting allograft dysfunction are still warranted to prevent allograft failure. This study was undertaken to assess the role of low serum factor V activity as an early prognostic factor (postoperative day 2) after liver transplantation.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all consecutive adult patients who underwent first orthotopic whole-graft liver transplant at our institution between March 2002 and June 2011 was undertaken. Primary endpoint was graft failure within 90 days after transplantation.

RESULTS

Of all 105 patients analyzed in this study, 39 (37.1 %) were female and 66 (62.9 %) were male. Mean age was 52.7 ± 11.7 years, and median follow-up period was 2474 ± 164 days. There were overall 33 (31.4 %) deaths, 13 of those occurring on the first 90 post-transplant days. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that serum factor V lower than 41.5 % and female gender had a negative impact not only on allograft failure/death within 90 days after transplantation (RR = 5.30, CI = 1.40-20.2, p = 0.015 and RR = 5.23, CI = 1.53-21.33, p = 0.008) but also on overall mortality. For prediction of allograft failure/death occurring during the first 3 months, serum factor V level of 41.5 % or lower exhibited a specificity of 87.9 %, a sensitivity of 42.9 %, an accuracy of 81.9 %, a positive predictive value of 35.3 %, and a negative predictive value of 90.9 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of serum factor V levels on postoperative day 2 might be a promising prognostic tool for early prediction of inferior outcomes after liver transplantation.

Perioperative changes of procalcitonin levels in patients undergoing liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Severe sepsis is a life-threatening complication after liver transplantation (LT) that can be difficult to diagnose and appropriately treat after LT because of patients being treated with immunosuppressants. The present study examines perioperative changes in serum procalcitonin (PCT), a specific marker of systemic bacterial infection, and determines the value of PCT as a diagnostic tool for bacteremia or rejection.

METHODS

Perioperative serum PCT levels were prospectively assessed in 104 consecutive adult patients undergoing LT (living-donor LT, n = 90; deceased-donor LT, n = 14) between May 2010 and August 2012.

RESULTS

Serum PCT levels remarkably increased soon after LT and gradually decreased thereafter, but were not increased in patients diagnosed with cytomegalovirus infection or acute cellular rejection. Serum PCT levels in patients who underwent deceased-donor LT were significantly higher than in those who underwent living-donor LT until postoperative day (POD) 7. Serum PCT levels were significantly higher in patients with bacteremia than in those without bacteremia after POD 14. In patients with post-transplant bacteremia, PCT levels increased again after POD 7 in patients who died within 3 months of LT, while levels remained low after POD 7 in patients who were alive. A positive predictive value of 83.3% for bacteremia and a negative predictive value of 97.4% were obtained at PCT cutoffs of 2.0 and 0.5 ng/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Serum PCT measurement, using appropriate cutoff values, could help diagnose severe infection, and might be able to differentiate bacteremia from acute cellular rejection.

A non-interventional study of the genetic polymorphisms of NOD2 associated with increased mortality in non-alcoholic liver transplant patients

Background

Infections after liver transplantation are the main cause of death in the first year. Recent reports indicate that NOD2 gene mutations increase the risk for inflammatory bowl disease and the severity of graft-versus-host disease in bone marrow transplant patients. Data on polymorphisms in liver transplant patients are sparse. We analyzed 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 13 different gene variants including the SNPs of NOD2 genes from liver recipients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the SNPs on dialysis-dependent kidney failure, the incidence of infections and patient survival.

Methods

During a period of 20-months, 231 patients were recruited in this non-interventional, prospective study. Thirteen different SNPs and their impact on the patients’ survival, infection rate, and use of dialysis were assessed.

Results

NOD 2 wildtype genes were protective with respect to the survival of non-alcoholic, cirrhotic transplant patients (3 year survival: 66.8% wildtype vs. 42.6% gene mutation, p = 0.026). This effect was not observed in alcoholic transplant recipients.

The incidence of dialysis-dependent kidney failure and infection in the liver transplant patients was not influenced by NOD 2 gene polymorphisms. No effect was noted in the remaining 12 SNPs.

Patients with early allograft dysfunction experienced significantly more infections, required dialysis and had significantly worse survival.

In contrast, the donor-risk-index had no impact on the infection rate, use of dialysis or survival.

Conclusion

NOD2 gene variants seem to play a key role in non-alcoholic, liver transplant recipients. However these data should be validated in a larger cohort.

Postoperative care/critical care of the transplant patient

Critical care of the general surgical patient requires synthesis of the patient's physiology, intraoperative events, and preexisting comorbidities. Evaluating an abdominal solid-organ transplant recipient after surgery adds a new dimension to clinical decisions because the transplanted allograft has undergone its own physiologic challenges and now must adapt to a new environment. This donor-recipient interaction forms the foundation for assessment of early allograft function (EAF). The intensivist must accurately assess and support EAF within the context of the recipient's current physiology and preexisting comorbidities. Optimizing EAF is essential because allograft failure is a significant predictor of recipient morbidity and mortality.

[Causes of early mortality after liver transplantation: a twenty-years single centre experience]

OBJECTIVE

To define the causes of mortality of patients who died within the first three months after a liver transplantation.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective, observational, and single centre study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between March 1989 and July 2010, all patients who died within three months after a liver transplantation were included. Demographic characteristics, preoperative and peroperative data, donor characteristics, postoperative complications and causes of mortality were collected.

RESULTS

Among the 788 performed liver transplantations, 76 patients died in intensive care unit (11%). The main indications of liver transplantation were alcoholic cirrhosis (30%), hepatitis C (28%), hepatocarcinoma (15%), primitive or secondary biliary cirrhosis (10%). Fifty percent of the patients were categorized as Child C. The main causes of death were non-function or dysfunction with retransplantation contra-indication graft (18%), sepsis (18%), neurological complications (12%), hemorrhagic shock (13%), (9%), multiorgan failures (5%), cardiac complications (6%).

CONCLUSION

In this study, the main causes of mortality were infectious, neurological and hemorrhagic. These results emphasize the necessity for better control of sepsis, haemorrhage and immunosupressors.

[Use of biological markers in the differential diagnosis of sepsis after liver transplant]

The use of biological markers is developing in the field of liver transplant. Biomarkers are being studied in different contexts: 1) detection of tolerant patient; 2) recurrence of hepatitis C virus; 3) diagnosis and prognosis of liver cancers, and 4) diagnosis of infection. The immunological changes occurring in the transplant patient given their previous cirrhotic condition, the immunosuppression received, and possible intercurrent diagnoses (rejection, recurrence of hepatitis C virus…) highlight the importance of finding useful biomarkers in clinical practice to diagnose infection. After a review of the usefulness of biomarkers, we should perhaps add the serial determination of C-reactive protein in the immediate post-operative period, and later on procalcitonin, in the infection diagnosis algorithm. Although the determination of procalcitonin appears to be the most reliable biomarker in the differential diagnosis of sepsis and rejection, the studies carried out make it difficult to establish conclusions on its real clinical usefulness.

Procalcitonin in the setting of complicated postoperative course after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a treatment for end-stage liver disease. The shortage of available organs leads to the acceptance of marginal grafts, thereby increasing the risk of perioperative complications such as acute rejection, infection, and graft dysfunction Procalcitonin (PCT) has been shown to be a reliable marker for a complicated course after traumatic injury as well as in the courses of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis. The aim of our study was to evaluate PCT as an early prognostic marker for the occurrence of complication during the postoperative course after OLT.

METHOD

We analyzed PCT levels and clinical and paraclinical data of 32 patients who underwent 33 OLTs. The highest PCT was termed as peak-PCT. Patients were stratified into noncomplication and complication groups. Renal replacement therapy, respiratory insufficiency, postoperative bleeding, refractory ascites, pleural effusion, rejection, sepsis, and fatal outcome were defined as complications. A secondary stratification, using a peak-PCT of 5 ng/mL, was used to analyzed the risk of a complication. We also analyzed the course of PCT after OLT in each group.

RESULTS

The peak-PCT, which occurred between the first and third postoperative day in 30 patients, was followed by halving of the value every second day. Three subjects died because of sepsis. A constantly rising PCT or a secondary rise observed in 2 patients was associated with a fatal outcome. The noncomplication group included 18 patients, 8 of them showing a peakPCT <5 ng/mL and 10 above. The complication group included 14 patients who underwent 15 transplantations; Only 1 displayed a peakPCT <5 ng/mL. When the peak-PCT was >5 ng/mL, the odds ratio of a complication was 11.2 (95% Confidence interval, 10.81-11.59; P < .025). However, not before the 7th postoperative day was the course of mean PCT levels significantly different between the complication and noncomplication groups. In transplant patients, an elevation of PCT was observed only in the presence of bacterial infection and not rejection or wound infection. PCT rose during respiratory failure and sepsis, but not renal replacement therapy, ascites, pleural effusion, rejection, or bleeding.

CONCLUSION

PCT was a reliable marker. A decline was observed in 31 cases with subject, who both had fatal outcomes showing a constantly rising level. An initial high PCT indicated a poor prognosis; some members of the noncomplication group also had levels >15 ng/mL. The patients in the complication group showed a higher mean PCT, which was significant at 7 days, most probably because of the high variation among levels. Still, a peak-PCT >5 ng/mL showed an odds ratio of 11.2 for patients to experience a complication.