Clinical outcomes of donation after circulatory death liver transplantation in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Immunopathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Autoimmune Hepatitis: Themes and Concepts

Autoimmune liver diseases include primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and autoimmune hepatitis, a family of chronic immune-mediated disorders that target hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Treatments remain nonspecific, variably effective, and noncurative, and the need for liver transplantation is disproportionate to their rarity. Development of effective therapies requires better knowledge of pathogenic mechanisms, including the roles of genetic risk, and how the environment and gut dysbiosis cause immune cell dysfunction and aberrant bile acid signaling. This review summarizes key etiologic and pathogenic concepts and themes relevant for clinical practice and how such learning can guide the development of new therapies for people living with autoimmune liver diseases.

Inflammatory bowel disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis: One disease or two?

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) was declared one of the biggest unmet needs in hepatology during International Liver Congress 2016 in Berlin. Since then, not much has changed unfortunately, largely due to the still elusive pathophysiology of the disease. One of the most striking features of PSC is its association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the majority of patients with PSC being diagnosed with extensive colitis. This review describes the epidemiology of IBD in PSC, its specific phenotype, complications and potential pathophysiological mechanisms connecting the two diseases. Whether PSC is merely an extra-intestinal manifestation of IBD or if PSC and IBD are two distinct diseases that happen to share a common susceptibility that leads to a dual phenotype is debated. Implications for the management of the two diseases together are also discussed. Overall, this review summarises the available data in PSC-IBD and discusses whether PSC and IBD are one or two disease(s).

Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomosis in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis-inflammatory Bowel Disease (PSC-IBD): Long-term Pouch and Liver Transplant Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of liver transplantation (LT) on ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) outcomes in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease (PSC-IBD).

BACKGROUND

Patients with PSC-IBD may require both IPAA for colitis and LT for PSC.

METHODS

Patients with PSC-IBD from out institutional pouch registry (1985-2022) were divided according to LT status and timing of LT (before and after IPAA) and their outcomes analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 160 patients were included: 112 (70%) nontransplanted at last follow-up; 48 (30%) transplanted, of which 23 (14%) before IPAA and 25 (16%) after. Nontransplanted patients at IPAA had more laparoscopic procedures [37 (46%) vs 8 (18%), P =0.002] and less blood loss (median 250 vs 400 mL, P =0.006). Morbidity and mortality at 90 days were similar. Chronic pouchitis was higher in transplanted compared with nontransplanted patients [32 (67%) vs 51 (45.5%), P =0.03], but nontransplanted patients had a higher rate of chronic antibiotic refractory pouchitis. Overall survival was similar, but nontransplanted patients had more PSC-related deaths (12.5% vs 2%, P =0.002). Pouch survival at 10 years was 90% for nontransplanted patients and 100% for transplanted patients (log-rank P =0.052). Timing of LT had no impact on chronic pouchitis, pouch failure, or overall survival. PSC recurrence was 6% at 10 years. For transplanted patients, graft survival was similar regardless of IPAA timing.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with PSC-IBD and IPAA, LT is linked to an increased pouchitis rate but does not affect overall and pouch survival. Timing of LT does not influence short-term and long-term pouch outcomes.

Liver Transplantation for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) With or Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-A European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Consensus Statement

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is the classical hepatobiliary manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a lead indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the western world. In this article, we present a Consensus Statement on LT practice, developed by a dedicated Guidelines' Taskforce of the European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT). The overarching goal is to provide practical guidance on commonly debated topics, including indications and timing of LT, management of bile duct stenosis in patients on the transplant waiting list, technical aspects of transplantation, immunosuppressive strategies post-transplant, timing and extension of intestinal resection and futility criteria for re-transplantation.

Good outcomes of living donor liver transplant in primary sclerosing cholangitis: an experience from North India

BACKGROUND

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease. In the absence of effective medical therapy, liver transplant is the definitive treatment for advanced stage. However, recurrence of PSC after liver transplant is of concern which can lead to graft failure and may require retransplant. There are limited data on outcomes of living donor liver transplant (LDLT) in PSC. Also, in LDLT as donors are genetically related there can be an increased risk of recurrence. We conducted this retrospective study to analyze the outcomes of LDLT in PSC at a tertiary liver transplant center in north India.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 3213 transplant recipients who underwent LDLT from January 2006 to May 2021. Of these 26 (0.80%) patients had PSC as indication for liver transplantation (PSC = 24, PSC-AIH overlap = 2). Data analysis was done to look for baseline demographics, clinical details, transplant outcomes, PSC recurrence, and survival.

RESULTS

Mean age of study group was 42 (± 13.8) years and 19 patients (73.1%) were males. All patients had decompensated cirrhosis at the time of transplant. Mean CTP score and MELD score were 9.5 (± 1.8) and 18.9 (± 7.1), respectively. Sixteen patients received modified right lobe graft, seven extended right lobe graft and five patients received left lateral graft. Median graft weight and mean graft to recipient weight ratio (GRWR) were 633.5 (IQR 473.5-633.5) grams and 1.23 (± 0.42), respectively. Most common biliary anastomosis was hepaticojejunostomy, done in 19 (73.1%) while duct to duct anastomosis was performed in 7 (26.9%) patients. Median follow-up was 96 (36-123) months. One patient had ulcerative colitis and none had cholangiocarcinoma. Two (7.7%) patients had bile leak during early post-transplant period. Three (11.1%) patients developed graft rejection and were managed successfully with steroid pulses. Three patients died during early post-transplant period while seven deaths occurred during long-term follow-up including one death due to COVID-19. Five (21.73%) patients had recurrence of PSC of which two patients had graft loss including one after retransplantation. The one year graft and patient survival rate was 88.5%.

CONCLUSION

LDLT can be performed in PSC with good long-term outcomes with a risk of PSC recurrence in about one-fifth patients.

Inflammatory conditions play a role in recurrence of PSC after liver transplantation – an international multicentre study

Background & Aims

Liver transplantation (LT) for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is complicated by recurrence of PSC (rPSC) in up to 25% of recipients. Recurrence has been shown to be detrimental for both graft and patient survival. For both PSC and rPSC, a medical cure is not available. To predict and ideally to prevent rPSC, it is imperative to find risk factors for rPSC that can be potentially modified. Therefore, we aimed to identify such factors for rPSC in a large international multicentre study including 6 centres in PSC-prevalent countries.

Methods

In this international multicentre, retrospective cohort study, 531 patients who underwent transplantation for PSC were included. In 25% of cases (n = 131), rPSC was diagnosed after a median follow-up of 6.72 (3.29–10.11) years post-LT.

Results

In the multivariable competing risk model with time-dependent covariates, we found that factors representing an increased inflammatory state increase the risk for rPSC. Recurrent cholangitis before LT as indication for LT (hazard ratio [HR] 3.6, 95% CI 2.5–5.2), increased activity of inflammatory bowel disease after LT (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.08–2.75), and multiple acute cellular rejections (HR: non-linear) were significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of rPSC. In contrast to the findings of previous studies, pretransplant colectomy was not found to be independently protective against the development of rPSC.

Conclusions

An increased inflammatory state before and after LT may play a causal and modifiable role in the development of rPSC. Pretransplant colectomy did not reduce the risk of rPSC per se. Recurrent cholangitis as indication for LT was associated with an increased risk of rPSC.

Impact and implications

Recurrence of PSC (rPSC) negatively affects survival after liver transplant (LT). Modifiable risk factors could guide clinical management and prevention of rPSC. We demonstrate that an increased inflammatory state both before and after LT increases the incidence of rPSC. As these are modifiable factors, they could serve as targets for future studies and therapies. We also added further evidence to the ongoing debate regarding preventive colectomy for rPSC by reporting that in our multicenter study, we could not find an independent association between colectomy and risk of rPSC.

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rPSC occurred after LT in 25% of recipients in this multicentre study from 6 transplant centres (Europe and North America).

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An increased systemically inflammatory state, both before and after LT, increases the risk of rPSC development.

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Increased IBD activity post-LT was associated with a higher risk of rPSC development.

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Performing a colectomy before LT was not associated with a reduction of rPSC.

Epidemiology, Natural History, and Outcomes of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Systematic Review of Population-based Studies

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The aim of this study was to quantify the global epidemiology of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), alongside the incidence of liver transplantation, cancer, and death, through robust systematic review of population-based data.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE up to and including June 30, 2020 to identify population-based studies reporting the incidence and/or prevalence of PSC. Studies that did not report original data, or of exclusively pediatric-onset disease (diagnosis age <16 years) or exclusively PSC-associated with inflammatory bowel disease were excluded.

RESULTS

Of 4922 published studies, 17 fulfilled inclusion criteria; 16 documenting incidence and 14 prevalence. The highest reported incidence of PSC was reported in Northern Europe (Finland, 1.58 and Norway, 1.3 per-100,000 population, respectively) and North America (Minnesota, 1.47); with the lowest being observed across the Mediterranean Basin (Italy, 0.1). Prevalence ranged from 31.7 in Finland and 23.99 in Minnesota, to 1.33 in Singapore and 0.0 in Alaska. Of studies reporting temporal occurrence, an increase in disease incidence was observed across North America and Northern Europe (4 studies), alongside an increase in prevalence over time (4 studies). The incidence and risks for clinical outcomes were presented by 9 of the included studies. Median transplant-free survival ranged from 9.7 (United States) to 20.6 years (Netherlands), with standardized mortality ratios of 2.5 and 4.2 compared with the control population. The standardized incidence of cholangiocarcinoma ranged from 235 (Finland) to 398 (Netherlands).

CONCLUSIONS

Estimates of PSC incidence and prevalence vary, with most studies conducted in North America and Western Europe; the latter showing a steady increase in disease occurrence over time. Further research is needed to understand changes in disease epidemiology, including etiological drivers, the implications of rising case burden on health care policy, and better appreciation of PSC in the developing world.

Recent advances in clinical practice: epidemiology of autoimmune liver diseases

Autoimmune liver diseases are chronic inflammatory hepatobiliary disorders that when classically defined encompass three distinctive clinical presentations; primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Meaningful changes in disease epidemiology are reported, with increasing incidence and prevalence of AIH and PSC in Europe, and rising prevalence of PBC across Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. However, there appears to be very significant global variation with contemporary incidence rates of disease per 100 000 ranging from 0.84 to 2.75 for PBC, 0.1 to 4.39 for PSC and 0.4 to 2.39 for AIH. Prevalence corresponds, and per 100 000 estimates for PBC range from 1.91 to 40.2, for PSC between 0.78 and 31.7 and for AIH from 4.8 to 42.9. Population-based studies and multicentre observational cohort series provide improved understanding of the clinical course that patients experience, highlighting variations in presenting phenotypes geographically and temporally. Collectively, while autoimmune liver diseases are rare, the clinical burden is disproportionately high relative to population incidence and prevalence. Age, sex and race also impact clinical outcomes, and patient morbidity and mortality are reflected by high need for gastroenterology, hepatology and organ transplant services.

Recommendations for Donor and Recipient Selection and Risk Prediction: Working Group Report From the ILTS Consensus Conference in DCD Liver Transplantation

Although the utilization of donation after circulatory death donors (DCDs) for liver transplantation (LT) has increased steadily, much controversy remains, and no common acceptance criteria exist with regard to donor and recipient risk factors and prediction models. A consensus conference was organized by International Liver Transplantation Society on January 31, 2020, in Venice, Italy, to review the current clinical practice worldwide regarding DCD-LT and to develop internationally accepted guidelines. The format of the conference was based on the grade system. International experts in this field were allocated to 6 working groups and prepared evidence-based recommendations to answer-specific questions considering the currently available literature. Working group members and conference attendees served as jury to edit and confirm the final recommendations presented at the end of the conference by each working group separately. This report presents the final statements and recommendations provided by working group 2, covering the entire spectrum of donor and recipient risk factors and prediction models in DCD-LT.

Recurrent Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Current Understanding, Management, and Future Directions

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) constitute 5 to 15% of patients listed for liver transplantation worldwide. Although post-transplant outcomes are favorable, recurrent PSC (rPSC) occurs in an important subset of patients, with higher prevalence rates reported with increasing time from transplant. Given its association with poor graft outcomes and risk of retransplant, effort has been made to understand rPSC, its pathophysiology, and risk factors. This review covers these facets of rPSC and focuses on implicated risk factors including pretransplant recipient characteristics, inflammatory bowel-disease-related factors, and donor-specific and transplant-specific factors. Confirming a diagnosis of rPSC requires thoughtful consideration of alternative etiologies so as to ensure confidence in diagnosis, management, subsequent risk assessment, and counseling for patients. Unfortunately, no cure exists for rPSC; however, future large-scale efforts are underway to better characterize the natural history of rPSC and its associated risk factors with hopes of identifying potential key targets for novel therapies.

Recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis after liver transplantation - analysing the European Liver Transplant Registry and beyond

Liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) can be complicated by recurrence of PSC (rPSC). This may compromise graft survival but the effect on patient survival is less clear. We investigated the effect of post‐transplant rPSC on graft and patient survival in a large European cohort. Registry data from the European Liver Transplant Registry regarding all first transplants for PSC between 1980 and 2015 were supplemented with detailed data on rPSC from 48 out of 138 contributing transplant centres, involving 1,549 patients. Bayesian proportional hazards models were used to investigate the impact of rPSC and other covariates on patient and graft survival. Recurrence of PSC was diagnosed in 259 patients (16.7%) after a median follow‐up of 5.0 years (quantile 2.5%‐97.5%: 0.4–18.5), with a significant negative impact on both graft (HR 6.7; 95% CI 4.9–9.1) and patient survival (HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.5–3.3). Patients with rPSC underwent significantly more re‐transplants than those without rPSC (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.7–4.8). PSC recurrence has a negative impact on both graft and patient survival, independent of transplant‐related covariates. Recurrence of PSC leads to higher number of re‐transplantations and a 33% decrease in 10‐year graft survival.

Predicting the Safe Use of Deceased After Circulatory Death Liver Allografts in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

OBJECTIVES

The use of deceased after circulatory death liver allografts in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis is controversial, given the increased risk of graft complications in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. We hypothesized that transplant of deceased after circulatory death livers into recipients with primary sclerosing cholangitis when appropriately selected using the UK deceased after circulatory death scoring system is not associated with increased graft failure and mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed 99 229 transplants (between January 2001 and December 2018) from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Deceased after circulatory death transplants were stratified by the UK scoring system as low risk or high risk. We identified 3958 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis who received deceased after brain death transplant and 95 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis who received deceased after circulatory death transplant.

RESULTS

As expected, 5-year graft survival was lower in the circulatory death recipient group (69.0% vs 78.4%; P = .02). However, 5-year graft survival was significantly lower in the high-risk versus low-risk UK scoring system group (60.0% vs 75.4%; P = .02), with rate in the low-risk group similar to the brain death recipient group (78.4% vs 75.4%; P = .52). On multivariate analysis, the high-risk group had significantly increased risk of graft loss (hazard ratio of 1.92; P = .01). However, the low-risk group had equivalent graft survival to the brain death recipient group (hazard ratio of 1.23; P = .31).

CONCLUSIONS

Graft failure was higher in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis who received livers from deceased after circulatory death donors; however, the risk of graft loss was abrogated using appropriately matched donor and recipient combinations.

Evaluation and selection of the liver transplant candidate: updates on a dynamic and evolving process

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although conceptually unchanged, the evaluation and selection of the liver transplant candidate has seen significant recent advances. Expanding criteria for transplant candidacy, improved diagnostics for risk stratification and advances in prognostic models have paralleled recent changes in allocation and distribution that require us to revisit core concepts of candidate evaluation and selection while recognizing its now dynamic and continuous nature.

RECENT FINDINGS

The liver transplant evaluation revolves around three interrelated themes: candidate selection, donor selection and transplant outcome. Introduction of dynamic frailty indices, bariatric surgery at the time of liver transplant in obese patients and improved therapies and prognostic tools for hepatobiliary malignancy have transformed candidate selection. Advances in hypothermic organ preservation have improved outcomes in marginal donor organs. Combined with expansion of hepatitis C virus positive and split donor organs, donor selection has become an integral part of candidate evaluation. In addition, with liver transplant for acute alcohol-related hepatitis now widely performed and increasing recognition of acute-on-chronic liver failure, selection of critically ill patients is refining tools to balance futility versus utility.

SUMMARY

Advances in liver transplant candidate evaluation continue to transform the evaluation process and require continued incorporation into our clinical practice amidst a dynamic backdrop of demographic and policy changes.

Favorable Outcomes of Liver Transplantation from Controlled Circulatory Death Donors Using Normothermic Regional Perfusion Compared to Brain Death Donors

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation (LT) from controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) was initiated in France in 2015 under a protocol based on the use of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) before organ procurement. The aim was to compare outcomes following cDCD LT with NRP and donation after brain death (DBD) LT.

METHODS

This is a multicenter retrospective study comparing cDCD LT with NRP and DBD LT. A case-matched study (1:2) was performed using the variables such as recipient and donor age, indication of LT.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients from the cDCD group were matched to 100 patients from the DBD group. From postoperative days 1-4, serum transaminase release was significantly lower in the cDCD group compared to the DBD group (P < 0.05). Early allograft dysfunction (cDCD: 18% versus DBD: 32%; P = 0.11), acute kidney injury (26% versus 33%; P = 0.49), 90-d graft loss (2% versus 5%; P = 0.66), and arterial (4% versus 12%; P = 0.19) and biliary (16% versus 17%; P = 0.94) complications were similar between the 2 groups. The 2-y graft survival was 88% for cDCD group and 85% for DBD group (P = 0.91). The 2-y patient survival was 90% for cDCD group and 88% for DBD group (P = 0.68).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that cDCD LT following postmortem NRP can be safely and effectively performed in selected recipients with similar graft and patient survival outcomes, without increased rates of biliary complications and early graft dysfunction compared to DBD LT.

Effects of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis on Risks of Cancer and Death in People With Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Based on Sex, Race, and Age

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There are insufficient population-level data on the effects of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

We identified incident cases of IBD, with PSC (PSC-IBD) and without, from April 2006 to April 2016 and collected data on outcomes through April 2019. We linked data from national health care registries maintained for all adults in England on hospital attendances, imaging and endoscopic evaluations, surgical procedures, cancer, and deaths. Our primary aim was to quantify the effects of developing PSC in patients with all subtypes of IBD and evaluate its effects on hepatopancreatobiliary disease, IBD-related outcomes, and all-cause mortality, according to sex, race, and age.

RESULTS

Over 10 years, we identified 284,560 incident cases of IBD nationwide; of these, 2588 patients developed PSC. In all, we captured 31,587 colectomies, 5608 colorectal cancers (CRCs) 6608 cholecystectomies, and 41,055 patient deaths. Development of PSC was associated with increased risk of death and CRC (hazard ratios [HRs], 3.20 and 2.43, respectively; P < .001) and a lower median age at CRC diagnosis (59 y vs 69 y without PSC; P < .001). Compared to patients with IBD alone, patients with PSC-IBD had a 4-fold higher risk of CRC if they received a diagnosis of IBD at an age younger than 40 years; there was no difference between groups for patients diagnosed with IBD at an age older than 60 years. Development of PSC also increased risks of cholangiocarcinoma (HR, 28.46), hepatocellular carcinoma (HR, 21.00), pancreatic cancer (HR, 5.26), and gallbladder cancer (HR, 9.19) (P < .001 for all). Risk of hepatopancreatobiliary cancer-related death was lower among patients with PSC-IBD who received annual imaging evaluations before their cancer diagnosis, compared to those who did not undergo imaging (HR, 0.43; P = .037). The greatest difference in mortality between the PSC-IBD alone group vs the IBD alone group was for patients younger than 40 years (incidence rate ratio >7), in contrast to those who received a diagnosis of IBD when older than 60 years (incidence rate ratio, <1.5). Among patients with PSC-IBD we observed 173 first liver transplants. Liver transplantation and PSC-related events accounted for approximately 75% of clinical events when patients received a diagnosis of PSC at an age younger than 40 years vs 31% of patients who received a diagnosis when older than 60 years (P < .001). African Caribbean heritage was associated with increased risks of liver transplantation or PSC-related death compared with white race (HR, 2.05; P < .001), whereas female sex was associated with reduced risk (HR, 0.74; P = .025).

CONCLUSIONS

In a 10-year, nationwide study, we confirmed that patients with PSC-IBD have increased risks of CRC, hepatopancreatobiliary cancers, and death compared to patients with IBD alone. In the PSC-IBD group, diagnosis of IBD at age younger than 40 years was associated with greater risks of CRC and all-cause mortality compared with diagnosis of IBD at older ages. Patients who receive a diagnosis of PSC at an age younger than 40 years, men, and patients of African Caribbean heritage have an increased incidence of PSC-related events.

Living vs deceased donor liver transplantation in cholestatic liver disease: An analysis of the OPTN database

BACKGROUND

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and donation after circulatory death (DCD) can expand the donor pool for cholestatic liver disease (CLD) patients. We sought to compare the outcomes of deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) vs LDLT in CLD patients.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort analysis of adult CLD recipients registered in the OPTN database who received primary LT between 2002 and 2018. Cox proportional hazards regression models with mixed effects were used to determine the impact of graft type on patient and graft survival.

RESULTS

Five thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine DDLT (5730 donation after brain death [DBD], 269 DCD) and 912 LDLT recipients were identified. Ten-year patient/graft survival rates were DBD: 73.8%/67.9%, DCD: 74.7%/60.7%, and LDLT: 82.5%/73.9%. Higher rates of biliary complications as a cause of graft failure were seen in DCD (56.8%) than LDLT (30.5%) or DBD (18.7%) recipients. On multivariable analysis, graft type was not associated with patient mortality, while DCD was independently associated with graft failure (P = .046).

CONCLUSION

DBD, DCD, and LDLT were associated with comparable overall patient survival. No difference in the risk of graft failure could be observed between LDLT and DBD. DCD can be an acceptable alternative to DBD with equivalent patient survival, but inferior graft survival likely related to the high rate of biliary complications.

Recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis after liver transplantation is associated with specific changes in the gut microbiome pretransplant - a pilot study

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a common indication for liver transplantation (LT). Up to 25% of patients experience recurrence of PSC (rPSC) after LT, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To date, it is not possible to predict which patients are at risk for rPSC. The aetiology of PSC is complex and is speculated to involve translocation of intestinal bacteria to the liver, because of its frequent co‐occurrence with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Here, we investigate whether the mucosal intestinal microbiome of PSC patients (n = 97) at time of first LT can identify those patients who will develop rPSC. 16S gene sequencing of bacterial DNA isolated from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded biopsies showed that PSC patients with Crohn’s disease (n = 15) have a reduced microbial diversity and that inflammation of the mucosa is associated with beta‐diversity changes and feature differences. No differences in alpha‐ or beta diversity were observed between patients with rPSC (n = 14) and without rPSC (n = 83). However, many over‐represented bacterial features were detected in patients with rPSC, while surprisingly, those without recurrence of disease were characterized by an increased presence of the Gammaproteobacteria Shigella. This pilot study warrants further investigation into bacterial differences between rPSC and non‐rPSC patients.

Donation after circulatory death liver transplantation: consensus statements from the Spanish Liver Transplantation Society

Livers from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors are an increasingly more common source of organs for transplantation. While there are few high-level studies in the field of DCD liver transplantation, clinical practice has undergone progressive changes during the past decade, in particular due to mounting use of postmortem normothermic regional perfusion (NRP). In Spain, uncontrolled DCD has been performed since the late 1980s/early 1990s, while controlled DCD was implemented nationally in 2012. Since 2012, the rise in DCD liver transplant activity in Spain has been considerable, and the great majority of DCD livers transplanted in Spain today are recovered with NRP. A panel of the Spanish Liver Transplantation Society was convened in 2018 to evaluate current evidence and accumulated experience in DCD liver transplantation, in particular addressing issues related to DCD liver evaluation, acceptance criteria, and recovery as well as recipient selection and postoperative management. This panel has created a series of consensus statements for the standard of practice in Spain and has published these statements with the hope they might help guide other groups interested in implementing new forms of DCD liver transplantation and/or introducing NRP into their clinical practices.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: risk factors for recurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

After liver transplantation primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), the condition returns in the transplanted liver in a subset of patients (recurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis, rPSC).

AIM

To define risk factors for rPSC.

METHODS

We searched Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library for articles published until March 2018. Studies addressing risk factors for developing rPSC were eligible for inclusion. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted using hazard ratios (HR) as effect measure. Study quality was evaluated with the Newcastle Ottawa scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Cochrane Review Manager.

RESULTS

The electronic database search yielded 449 results. Twenty-one retrospective cohort studies met the inclusion criteria for the review; 14 were included in the meta-analysis. The final cohort included 2159 patients (age range 31-49 years, 68.8% male), of whom 17.7% developed rPSC. Colectomy before liver transplantation, HR 0.65 (95% CI: 0.42-0.99), cholangiocarcinoma before liver transplantation, HR 2.42 (95% CI: 1.20-4.86), inflammatory bowel disease, HR 1.73 (95% CI: 1.17-2.54), donor age, HR 1.24 (95% CI 1.0-1.45) per ten years, MELD score, HR 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02-1.08) per point and acute cellular rejection, HR of 1.94 (95% CI: 1.32-2.83) were associated with the risk of rPSC.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple risk factors for rPSC were identified. Colectomy before liver transplantation reduced the risk of rPSC.

Outcomes of DCD liver transplantation using organs treated by hypothermic oxygenated perfusion before implantation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation is known for potentially worse outcomes because of higher rates of graft non-function or irreversible cholangiopathy. The impact of machine liver perfusion techniques on these complications remains elusive. We aimed to provide data on 5-year outcomes in patients receiving DCD liver transplants, after donor organs had been treated by hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE).

METHODS

Fifty HOPE-treated DCD liver transplants performed in Zurich between 2012 and 3/2017 were matched with 50 primary donation after brain death (DBD) liver transplants, and with 50 untreated DCD liver transplants in Birmingham. Match factors focussed on short cold ischaemia, comparable recipient age and low recipient laboratory model for end-stage liver disease scores. Primary endpoints were post-transplant complications, and non-tumour-related patient death or graft loss.

RESULTS

Despite extended donor warm ischaemia, HOPE-treated DCD liver transplants achieved similar overall graft survival, compared to standard DBD liver transplants. Particularly, graft loss due to any non-tumour-related causes occurred in 8% (4/50) of cases. In contrast, untreated DCD livers resulted in non-tumour-related graft failure in one-third (16/50) of cases (p = 0.005), despite significantly (p <0.001) shorter functional donor warm ischaemia. Five-year graft survival, censored for tumour death, was 94% for HOPE-treated DCD liver transplants vs. 78% in untreated DCD liver transplants (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-year outcomes of HOPE-treated DCD liver transplants were similar to those of DBD primary transplants and superior to those of untreated DCD liver transplants, despite much higher risk. These results suggest that a simple end-ischaemic perfusion approach is very effective and may open the field for safe utilisation of extended DCD liver grafts.

LAY SUMMARY

Machine perfusion techniques are currently being introduced into the clinic, with the aim of optimising injured grafts prior to implantation. While short-term effects of machine liver perfusion have been frequently reported in terms of hepatocellular enzyme release and early graft function, the long-term benefit on irreversible graft loss has been unclear. Herein, we report on 5-year graft survival in donation after cardiac death livers, treated either by conventional cold storage, or by 1-2 h of hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) after cold storage. Graft loss was significantly less in HOPE-treated livers, despite longer donor warm ischaemia times. Therefore, HOPE after cold storage appears to be a simple and effective method to treat high-risk livers before implantation.

The impact of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis on graft survival following liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation is the only life-extending intervention for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Given the co-existence with colitis, patients may also require colectomy; a factor potentially conferring improved post-transplant outcomes.

AIM

To determine the impact of restorative surgery via ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) vs retaining an end ileostomy on liver-related outcomes post-transplantation.

METHODS

Graft survival was evaluated across a prospectively accrued transplant database, stratified according to colectomy status and type.

RESULTS

Between 1990 and 2016, 240 individuals with PSC/colitis underwent transplantation (cumulative 1870 patient-years until first graft loss or last follow-up date), of whom 75 also required colectomy. A heightened incidence of graft loss was observed for the IPAA group vs those retaining an end ileostomy (2.8 vs 0.4 per 100 patient-years, log-rank P = 0.005), whereas rates between IPAA vs no colectomy groups were not significantly different (2.8 vs 1.7, P = 0.1). In addition, the ileostomy group experienced significantly lower graft loss rates vs. patients retaining an intact colon (P = 0.044). The risks conferred by IPAA persisted when taking into account timing of colectomy as related to liver transplantation via time-dependent Cox regression analysis. Hepatic artery thrombosis and biliary strictures were the principal aetiologies of graft loss overall. Incidence rates for both were not significantly different between IPAA and no colectomy groups (P = 0.092 and P = 0.358); however, end ileostomy appeared protective (P = 0.007 and 0.031, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In PSC, liver transplantation, colectomy + IPAA is associated with similar incidence rates of hepatic artery thrombosis, recurrent biliary strictures and re-transplantation compared with no colectomy. Colectomy + end ileostomy confers more favourable graft outcomes.

Role of colectomy in preventing recurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis in liver transplant recipients

AIM

To study the published evidence on the impact of colectomy in preventing recurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis (rPSC).

METHODS

An unrestricted systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, Medline OvidSP, ISI Web of Science, Lista (EBSCO) and the Cochrane library was performed on clinical studies investigating colectomy in liver transplantation (LT) recipients with and without rPSC in the liver allograft. Study quality was evaluated according to a modification of the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria. Primary endpoints were the impact of presence, timing and type of colectomy on rPSC. Overall presence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), time of IBD diagnosis, posttransplant IBD and immunosuppressive regimen were investigated as secondary outcome.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded a total of 180 publications. No randomized controlled trial was identified. Six retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria of which 5 studies were graded as high quality articles. Reporting of IBD was heterogenous but in four publications, either inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis or in particular active colitis post-LT significantly increased the risk of rPSC. The presence of an intact (i.e., retained) colon at LT was identified as risk factor for rPSC in two of the high quality studies while four studies found no effect. Type of colectomy was not associated with rPSC but this endpoint was underreported (only in 33% of included studies). Neither tacrolimus nor cyclosporine A yielded a significant benefit in disease recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

CONCLUSION

The data favours a protective role of pre-/peri-LT colectomy in rPSC but the current evidence is not strong enough to recommend routine colectomy for rPSC prevention.

The gastroenterologist's guide to management of the post-liver transplant patient

The management of the post-liver transplant patient is complex and involves a large interdisciplinary team. After referral to a transplant center, evaluation and listing, and eventual transplantation, the patient is cared for closely by the transplant center. Once deemed ready for discharge, the patient returns to the primary care provider for ongoing management of the various issues that increase in incidence post transplant such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular, and renal diseases, as well as metabolic syndrome. The role of the gastroenterologist is not well defined, but certainly, he or she may be called upon for the initial evaluation and ongoing management of gastrointestinal as well as hepatobiliary issues. This includes but is not limited to the investigation of abnormal liver tests, non-specific gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, biliary complications, and even recurrent hepatic disease. Having familiarity with post-transplant immunosuppressive agents, drug interactions, and potential infectious and malignancy-related complications of transplant is essential, as the primary gastroenterologist may be expected in some situations to field the initial work-up, if patient access to the transplant center is limited. The aim of this review is to summarize the gastroenterologist's role in the management of the post-liver transplant patient.