Advances in the Anesthetic Management of Solid Organ Transplantation

Anaesthesia management for liver transplantation: A narrative review

Orthotopic liver transplantation is the definitive standard treatment for end-stage liver disease. Orthotopic liver transplantation anaesthesia management is a complex procedure that requires a multidisciplinary team approach. Understanding the complex pathophysiology of end-stage liver disease and its complications in the affected systems is essential for proper anaesthesia management in orthotopic liver transplantation. Orthotopic liver transplantation is a dynamic process, and preoperative optimisation is essential in these patients. Therefore, anaesthesiologists should focus on rapidly fluctuating physiology, haemodynamics, metabolic, and coagulation status in the anaesthesia management of these patients. Perioperative care and anaesthesia for orthotopic liver transplantation can be divided into preoperative evaluation, anaesthesia induction and management, dissection, anhepatic, neo-hepatic, and postoperative care, with essential anaesthetic considerations at each point. Considering the clinical situation, haemodynamic changes, misapplications, knowledge, attitude, and multimodal and multidisciplinary approach are vital in anaesthesia and the perioperative period. In our review, in line with the literature, we aimed to present the perioperative and anaesthesia management in orthotopic liver transplantation patients.

2023 Clinical Update in Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation continues to provide life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease. Advances in the field of transplant anesthesia continue to support the care of more complex patients. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been described in critical care settings and cardiac surgery but may be a valuable option for specific conditions for patients undergoing liver transplantation. Changes to the allocation process for liver grafts now focus on acuity circles to reduce regional disparities. As the number of life-saving transplant surgeries increases, so does the need for specialty knowledge in the anesthetic considerations of these procedures. The specialty of transplant anesthesia continues to grow and develop to meet the demands of complex patients and the increased number of transplants performed. Liver transplantation can be a resource-demanding procedure, and predicting the need for massive transfusion can aid in planning and preparing for significant blood loss.

Renal recipients' knowledge and self-efficacy during first year after implementing an evidence based educational intervention as routine care at the transplantation clinic

BACKGROUND

Following an implementation plan based on dynamic dialogue between researchers and clinicians, this study implemented an evidence-based patient education program (tested in an RCT) into routine care at a clinical transplant center. The aim of this study was to investigate renal recipients' knowledge and self-efficacy during first year the after the intervention was provided in an everyday life setting.

METHODS

The study has a longitudinal design. The sample consisted of 196 renal recipients. Measurement points were 5 days (baseline), 2 months (T1), 6 months (T2), and one-year post transplantation (T3). Outcome measures were post-transplant knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-perceived general health.

RESULTS

No statistically significant changes were found from baseline to T1, T2, and T3. Participants' levels of knowledge and self-efficacy were high prior to the education program and did not change throughout the first year post transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Renal recipients self-efficacy and insight in post-transplant aspects seem to be more robust when admitted to the hospital for transplantation compared to baseline observations in the RCT study. This may explain why the implemented educational intervention did not lead to the same positive increase in outcome measures as in the RCT. This study supports that replicating clinical interventions in real-life settings may provide different results compared to results from RCT's. In order to gain a complete picture of the impacts of an implemented intervention, it is vital also to evaluate results after implementing findings from RCT-studies into everyday practice.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Pretransplant and Posttransplant Management of Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Liver Disease

Approximately 5%-10% of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) will develop advanced liver disease with portal hypertension, representing the third leading cause of death among patients with CF. Cystic fibrosis with advanced liver disease and portal hypertension (CFLD) represents the most significant risk to patient mortality, second only to pulmonary or lung transplant complications in patients with CF. Currently, there is no medical therapy to treat or reverse CFLD. Liver transplantation (LT) in patients with CFLD with portal hypertension confers a significant survival advantage over those who do not receive LT, although the timing in which to optimize this benefit is unclear. Despite the value and efficacy of LT in selected patients with CFLD, established clinical criteria outlining indications and timing for LT as well as disease-specific transplant considerations are notably absent. The goal of this comprehensive and multidisciplinary report is to present recommendations on the unique CF-specific pre- and post-LT management issues clinicians should consider and will face.