Predictive value of liver damage for severe early complications and survival after heart transplantation: A retrospective analysis

International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Guidelines for the Evaluation and Care of Cardiac Transplant Candidates-2024

The "International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Guidelines for the Evaluation and Care of Cardiac Transplant Candidates-2024" updates and replaces the "Listing Criteria for Heart Transplantation: International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Guidelines for the Care of Cardiac Transplant Candidates-2006" and the "2016 International Society for Heart Lung Transplantation Listing Criteria for Heart Transplantation: A 10-year Update." The document aims to provide tools to help integrate the numerous variables involved in evaluating patients for transplantation, emphasizing updating the collaborative treatment while waiting for a transplant. There have been significant practice-changing developments in the care of heart transplant recipients since the publication of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) guidelines in 2006 and the 10-year update in 2016. The changes pertain to 3 aspects of heart transplantation: (1) patient selection criteria, (2) care of selected patient populations, and (3) durable mechanical support. To address these issues, 3 task forces were assembled. Each task force was cochaired by a pediatric heart transplant physician with the specific mandate to highlight issues unique to the pediatric heart transplant population and ensure their adequate representation. This guideline was harmonized with other ISHLT guidelines published through November 2023. The 2024 ISHLT guidelines for the evaluation and care of cardiac transplant candidates provide recommendations based on contemporary scientific evidence and patient management flow diagrams. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association modular knowledge chunk format has been implemented, allowing guideline information to be grouped into discrete packages (or modules) of information on a disease-specific topic or management issue. Aiming to improve the quality of care for heart transplant candidates, the recommendations present an evidence-based approach.

Impact of Pretransplant Renal Replacement Therapy on Clinical Outcome After Isolated Heart Transplantation

End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a contraindication to isolated heart transplantation (HT). However, heart candidates with cardiogenic shock may experience acute kidney injury and require renal replacement therapy (RRT) and isolated HT as a life-saving operation. The outcomes, including survival and renal function, are rarely reported. We enrolled 569 patients undergoing isolated HT from 1989 to 2018. Among them, 66 patients required RRT before HT (34 transient and 32 persistent). The survival was worse in patients with RRT than those without (65.2% vs 84.7%; 27.3% vs 51.1% at 1- and 10-year, p < 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively). Multivariate Cox analysis identified pre-transplant hyperbilirubinemia (Hazard ratio (HR) 2.534, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.098–5.853, p = 0.029), post-transplant RRT (HR 5.551, 95%CI 1.280–24.068, p = 0.022) and post-transplant early bloodstream infection (HR 3.014, 95%CI 1.270–7.152, p = 0.012) as independent risk factors of 1-year mortality. The majority of operative survivors (98%) displayed renal recovery after HT. Although patients with persistent or transient RRT before HT had a similar long-term survival, patients with persistent RRT developed a high incidence (49.2%) of dialysis-dependent ESRD at 10 years. In transplant candidates with pretransplant RRT, hyperbilirubinemia should be carefully re-evaluated for the eligibility of HT whereas prevention and management of bloodstream infection after HT improve survival.

Plasma Levels of SERCA2a as a Noninvasive Biomarker of Primary Graft Dysfunction After Heart Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive detection of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) remains a major challenge. SERCA2a plays an important role in cardiac homeostasis and its dysregulation has been associated with ventricular dysfunction and rejection. This study aimed to determine the potential utility of plasma levels of SERCA2a as a biomarker of PGD.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-five plasma samples were collected from adult recipients 2-6 hours before heart transplantation (HT). Plasma concentrations of SERCA2a were determined using a specific sandwich ELISA. Variables related to the recipient, the donor, and the periprocedural were collected to determine a multivariate predictive model of PGD.

RESULTS

Levels of SERCA2a were decreased in patients who developed PGD (median 0.430 ng/mL [interquartile range, 0.260-0.945] versus 0.830 ng/mL [interquartile range, 0.582-1.052]; P = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that SERCA2a discriminated between patients with and without PGD (AUC = 0.682; P = 0.001), and a cutoff point ≥ 0.60 ng/mL was a protective independent predictor of PGD (odds ratio 0.215 [P = 0.004]). Three independent predictors of PGD in this study were reduced levels of pre-HT SERCA2a, increased bilirubin levels, and short-term mechanical circulatory support bridge to transplantation. The analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model obtained a significant AUC 0.788, P = 0.0001.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that assessment of SERCA2a plasma levels may improve risk prediction for the occurrence of PGD and could be considered as a novel noninvasive biomarker in patients undergoing HT.

Combined heart-liver-kidney transplant: The university of chicago medicine experience

Until recently, combined heart-liver-kidney transplantation was considered too complex or too high-risk an option for patients with end-stage heart failure who present with advanced liver and kidney failure as well. The objective of this paper is to present our institution's best practices for successfully executing this highly challenging operation. At our institution, referral patterns are most often initiated through the cardiac team. Determinants of successful outcomes include diligent multidisciplinary patient selection, detailed perioperative planning, and choreographed care transition and coordination among all transplant teams. The surgery proceeds in three distinct phases with three different teams, linked seamlessly in planned handoffs. The selection and perioperative care are executed with determined collaboration of all of the invested care teams. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

From congestive hepatopathy to hepatocellular carcinoma, how can we improve patient management?

Heart failure and liver disease often coexist because of systemic disorders and diseases that affect both organs as well as complex cardio-hepatic interactions. Heart failure can cause acute or chronic liver injury due to ischaemia and passive venous congestion, respectively. Congestive hepatopathy is frequently observed in patients with congenital heart disease and after the Fontan procedure, but also in older patients with chronic heart failure. As congestive hepatopathy can evolve into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, screening for liver injury should be performed in patients with chronic cardiac diseases and after Fontan surgery. Fibrosis starts in the centro-lobular zone and will extend progressively to the portal area. Chronic liver injury can be reversible if heart function improves. However, in the case of terminal heart failure, uncontrolled by medical resources or by assistive device support, the combination of heart and liver transplants must be discussed in patients with chronic advanced liver fibrosis. In this review of the literature, we will focus on congestive hepatopathy and its complications, such as liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, with the aim of improving the management and surveillance of patients experiencing these complications.

Incidence and impact of primary graft dysfunction in adult heart transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a leading cause of early mortality after heart transplant (HTx). To identify PGD incidence and impact on mortality, and to elucidate risk factors for PGD, we systematically reviewed studies using the ISHLT 2014 Consensus Report definition and reporting the incidence of PGD in adult HTx recipients.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search in January 2020 including studies reporting the incidence of PGD in adult HTx recipients. We used a random effects model to pool the incidence of PGD among HTx recipients and, for each PGD severity, the mortality rate among those who developed PGD. For prognostic factors evaluated in ≥2 studies, we used random effects meta-analyses to pool the adjusted odds ratios for development of PGD. The GRADE framework informed our certainty in the evidence.

RESULTS

Of 148 publications identified, 36 observational studies proved eligible. With moderate certainty, we observed pooled incidences of 3.5%, 6.6%, 7.7%, and 1.6% and 1-year mortality rates of 15%, 21%, 41%, and 35% for mild, moderate, severe and isolated right ventricular-PGD, respectively. Donor factors (female sex, and undersized), recipient factors (creatinine, and pre-HTx use of amiodarone, and temporary or durable mechanical support), and prolonged ischemic time proved associated with PGD post-HTx.

CONCLUSION

Our review suggests that the incidence of PGD may be low but its risk of mortality high, increasing with PGD severity. Prognostic factors, including undersized donor, recipient use of amiodarone pre-HTx and recipient creatinine may guide future studies in exploring donor and/or recipient selection and risk mitigation strategies.

Statistical performance of 16 posttransplant risk scores in a contemporary cohort of heart transplant recipients

Accurate risk stratification of early heart transplant failure is required to avoid futile transplants and rationalize donor selection. We aimed to evaluate the statistical performance of existing risk scores on a contemporary cohort of heart transplant recipients. After an exhaustive search, we identified 16 relevant risk scores. From the UNOS database, we selected all first noncombined adult heart transplants performed between 2014 and 2017 for validation. The primary endpoint was death or retransplant during the first year posttransplant. For all scores, we analyzed their association with outcomes, sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and discrimination (concordance index and overlap of individual scores). The cohort included 9396 patients. All scores were significantly associated with the primary outcome (P < .001 for all scores). Their likelihood ratios, both negative and positive, were poor. The discriminative performance of all scores was limited, with concordance index ranging from 0.544 to 0.646 (median 0.594) and an important overlap of individual scores between patients with or without the primary endpoint. Subgroup analyses revealed important variation in discrimination according to donor age, recipient age, and the type of assist device used at transplant. Our findings raise concerns about the use of currently available scores in the clinical field.

Pretransplantation and Post-Transplantation Liver Disease Assessment in Adolescents Undergoing Isolated Heart Transplantation for Fontan Failure

OBJECTIVE

To describe the assessment of Fontan-associated liver disease and determine the clinical and imaging measures that may identify hepatic morbidity risk in isolated heart transplantation candidates and trend those measures post-isolated heart transplantation.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of pre-isolated heart transplantation and post-isolated heart transplantation Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) status using blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and liver biopsy analysis within 6 months before isolated heart transplantation and 12 months after isolated heart transplantation in 9 consecutive patients with Fontan. Pre- and post-isolated heart transplantation standard laboratory values; varices, ascites, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia (VAST) score; Fontan liver MRI score; liver biopsy scores; Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD); MELD excluding the International Normalized Ratio (MELD-XI); AST to platelet ratio index, and cardiac catheterization data were compared.

RESULTS

Pretransplantation maximum MELD and MELD-XI was 15 and 16, respectively. Central venous pressures and VAST scores decreased significantly post-transplantation. In 5 paired studies, Fontan liver MRI score maximum was 10 pretransplantation and decreased significantly post-transplantation. Arterially enhancing nodules on MRI persisted in 2 patients post-transplantation. Pretransplantation and post-transplantation liver biopsy scores did not differ in 4 paired biopsy specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with FALD and MELD <15, MELD-XI <16, Fontan liver MRI score <10, and VAST score ≤2 can have successful short-term isolated heart transplantation outcomes. Liver MRI and VAST scores improved post-transplantation. Post-transplantation liver biopsy scores did not change significantly. Pretransplantation liver biopsy demonstrating fibrosis alone should not exclude consideration of isolated heart transplantation. The persistence of hepatic vascular remodeling and fibrosis post-isolated heart transplantation suggests that continued surveillance for hepatic complications post-transplantation for patients with Fontan is reasonable.

Risk prediction models for survival after heart transplantation: A systematic review

Risk prediction scores have been developed to predict survival following heart transplantation (HT). Our objective was to systematically review the model characteristics and performance for all available scores that predict survival after HT. Ovid Medline and Epub Ahead of Print and In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials were searched to December 2018. Eligible articles reported a score to predict mortality following HT. Of the 5392 studies screened, 21 studies were included that derived and/or validated 16 scores. Seven (44%) scores were validated in external cohorts and 8 (50%) assessed model performance. Overall model discrimination ranged from poor to moderate (C-statistic/area under the receiver operating characteristics 0.54-0.77). The IMPACT score was the most widely validated, was well calibrated in two large registries, and was best at discriminating 3-month survival (C-statistic 0.76). Most scores did not perform particularly well in any cohort in which they were assessed. This review shows that there are insufficient data to recommend the use of one model over the others for prediction of post-HT outcomes.

Combined heart and liver transplantation: State of knowledge and outlooks

Various types of liver impairment have been described in patients with end-stage heart failure who are awaiting heart transplantation. The liver impairment may be severe, characterized by a high model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) Score and/or the presence of ascites, both of which are associated with a high risk of failure after single heart transplantation. A liver function assessment is therefore necessary before registration on the heart transplant list, moreover in case of long-developing heart failure, such as with congenital heart disease or in the presence of risk factors for chronic liver disease including excessive alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome or chronic viral hepatitis B or C. In these instances, screening for cirrhosis with liver biopsy and for hepatocellular carcinoma through imaging must be systematic and when present, the indication for combined heart-liver transplantation must be considered. Its benefits, however, in case of liver failure with a high MELD score or multi-organ failure remains to be demonstrated. An exception in which the liver shows no morphological or functional alteration is with familial amyloid neuropathy, during which moderate to severe heart failure implies surgical treatment consisting of a liver or even heart-liver transplantation. These must be done early and are mainly contraindicated according to the level of neurological damage.