Renal Disease Burden Following Liver Transplantation

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis after intravitreal vascular growth factor inhibitor injections: A case report and review of the literature

Systemic administration of agents that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and therefore vascular proliferation is often used to treat various cancers. However, these agents are associated with a number of side effects, including proteinuria and renal injury. Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents has become the cornerstone of macular disease treatment. Since these agents cross the blood-retina barrier and enter the circulation, systemic side effects have been reported. We report the novel case of a 57-year-old patient who presented with macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion, underwent three monthly loading-dose injections with the anti-VEGF agent ranibizumab, and 2 weeks after the second injection presented with biopsy-verified membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Twelve weeks after presenting with renal failure and 10 weeks after his last anti-VEGF injection, the patient demonstrated spontaneous recovery of his kidney function. The patient had a history that promoted renal fragility, including hypertension, liver transplantation 6 years earlier for alcohol-related cirrhosis and new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplant. Our literature review and case suggest that although adverse renal events after intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are very rare, ophthalmologists and nephrologists should be aware of this risk.

[Kidney failure after liver transplantation]

One third of cirrhotic patients present impaired kidney function. It has multifactorial causes and has a harmful effect on patients' morbi-mortality before and after liver transplant. Kidney function does not improve in all patients after liver transplantation and liver-transplant recipients are at high risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Causes for renal dysfunction can be divided in three groups: preoperative, peroperative and postoperative factors. To date, there is no consensus for the modality of evaluation the risk for chronic kidney disease after liver transplantation, and for its prevention. In the present review, we describe the outcome of kidney function after liver transplantation, and the prognostic factors of chronic kidney disease to determine a risk stratification for each patient. Furthermore, we discuss therapeutic options to prevent kidney dysfunction in this setting, and highlight the indications of combined liver-kidney transplantation.

Chronic Kidney Disease Following Liver Transplant: Associated Outcomes and Predictors

OBJECTIVES

Liver transplant as a life-saving procedure in patients with end-stage liver disease may have some complications such as renal dysfunction. Improved postoperative management and immuno- suppressive therapy have increased long-term survival and thus increased late complications like chronic kidney disease. Our study aimed to investigate outcomes of chronic kidney disease in liver transplant recipients and the incidence, progression rates, and adjustable risk factors of chronic kidney disease after liver transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Related studies published in English were elicited from various international sources like the ISI Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Chronic kidney disease as a long-term complication is common in liver transplant recipients whose survival is affected by renal function. Risk assessment of renal function before liver transplant and some nonrenal causes of chronic kidney disease after transplant could help reduce the risks associated with future renal outcomes.

Kidney Failure after Liver Transplantation

One-third of patients with cirrhosis present kidney failure (AKI and CKD). It has multifactorial causes and a harmful effect on morbidity and mortality before and after liver transplantation. Kidney function does not improve in all patients after liver transplantation, and liver transplant recipients are at a high risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The causes of renal dysfunction can be divided into three groups: pre-operative, perioperative and post-operative factors. To date, there is no consensus on the modality to evaluate the risk of chronic kidney disease after liver transplantation, or for its prevention. In this narrative review, we describe the outcome of kidney function after liver transplantation, and the prognostic factors of chronic kidney disease in order to establish a risk categorization for each patient. Furthermore, we discuss therapeutic options to prevent kidney dysfunction in this context, and highlight the indications of combined liver–kidney transplantation.

Chronic Kidney Disease after Liver Transplantation: Recent Evidence

Chronic kidney disease is a common complication after liver transplantation with an incidence ranging between 20% and 80%. Studies of renal function after liver transplantation have yielded conflicting results: the wide range in incidence rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) following liver transplantation is related to the methods for measuring kidney function, and various criteria for defining renal dysfunction, among others. An important cause of CKD among liver transplant recipients is calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression. Additional predictors of CKD post-liver transplantation include pre-transplant kidney function, peri-operative acute kidney failure, age, and hepatitis C. A recent meta-analysis of observational studies revealed that, in the subgroup of studies provided with glomerular filtration rate at baseline, the summary estimate of relative risk and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for developing chronic renal failure among liver transplant recipients with diminished renal function at transplant was 2.12 (95% CI, 1.01–4.46, p=0.047). Acute renal insufficiency is common immediately after liver transplantation, whereas the course of CKD after liver transplantation appears progressive over time. Only preliminary information exists on kidney pathological findings in recipients of liver transplants with CKD. Introduction of the Model for End-stage Liver Disease for the allocation of liver grafts has not increased the occurrence of renal dysfunction following liver transplantation. Chronic kidney disease following liver transplantation increases cardiovascular burden dramatically. The use of mycophenolic acid- or sirolimus-based immunosuppression in calcineurin-inhibitors sparing protocols is an area of intense research.

Recommendations of everolimus use in liver transplant

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, everolimus (EVL) and sirolimus are immunosuppressive agents with a minor nephrotoxic effect, limited to the development of proteinuria in some cases. The combination of EVL and low-dose tacrolimus has proven to be as safe and effective as standard therapy with tacrolimus for the prevention of acute cellular rejection. Early initiation of EVL-based immunosuppressive regimens with reduced exposure to calcineurin inhibitors has been shown to significantly improve renal function of LT recipients during induction and maintenance phases, with comparable efficacy and safety profiles. In patients with established kidney failure, initiating EVL may enable clinicians to reduce calcineurin inhibitors exposure, thereby contributing to the improved renal function of these patients. Although there is not sufficient evidence to recommend their use to prevent the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma and the progression of de novo tumours, they are used in this context in routine clinical practice.

Renal function improvement in liver transplant recipients after early everolimus conversion: A clinical practice cohort study in Spain

A national, multicenter, retrospective study was conducted to assess the results obtained for liver transplant recipients with conversion to everolimus in daily practice. The study included 477 recipients (481 transplantations). Indications for conversion to everolimus were renal dysfunction (32.6% of cases), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; 30.2%; prophylactic treatment for 68.9%), and de novo malignancy (29.7%). The median time from transplantation to conversion to everolimus was 68.7 months for de novo malignancy, 23.8 months for renal dysfunction, and 7.1 months for HCC and other indications. During the first year of treatment, mean everolimus trough levels were 5.4 (standard deviation [SD], 2.7) ng/mL and doses remained stable (1.5 mg/day) from the first month after conversion. An everolimus monotherapy regimen was followed by 28.5% of patients at 12 months. Patients with renal dysfunction showed a glomerular filtration rate (4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) increase of 10.9 mL (baseline mean, 45.8 [SD, 25.3] versus 57.6 [SD, 27.6] mL/minute/1.73 m(2) ) at 3 months after everolimus initiation (P < 0.001), and 6.8 mL at 12 months. Improvement in renal function was higher in patients with early conversion (<1 year). Adverse events were the primary reason for discontinuation in 11.2% of cases. The probability of survival at 3 years after conversion to everolimus was 83.0%, 71.1%, and 59.5% for the renal dysfunction, de novo malignancy, and HCC groups, respectively. Everolimus is a viable option for the treatment of renal dysfunction, and earlier conversion is associated with better recovery of renal function. Prospective studies are needed to confirm advantages in patients with malignancy.

Clinical usefulness of kidney biopsy in liver transplant recipients with renal impairment

Background

Chronic kidney disease is a common complication after liver transplantation. In this study, we analyzed the results of kidney biopsy in liver transplantation recipients with renal impairment.

Methods

Between 1999 and 2012, 544 liver transplants were performed at our hospital. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and histological data of 10 liver transplantation recipients referred for kidney biopsy.

Results

The biopsies were performed at a median of 24.5 months (range, 3–73 months) after liver transplantation. The serum creatinine level was 1.81±0.5 mg/dL at the time of kidney biopsy. There were no immediate complications. The most common diagnosis was glomerulonephritis (GN), such as immunoglobulin A nephropathy (n=4), mesangial proliferative GN (n=1), focal proliferative GN (n=1), and membranous GN (n=1). Typical calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-induced nephrotoxicity was detected in three cases (30%). Chronic tissue changes such as glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy were present in 90%, 80%, and 80% of cases, respectively, and mesangial proliferation was detected in 40% of cases. We began treatment for renal impairment based on the result of kidney biopsy; for example, angiotensin-receptor blockers or steroids were prescribed for GN, and the CNI dose was reduced for CNI nephrotoxicity. As a result, eight of 10 patients showed improvement in glomerular filtration rate, but two progressed to end-stage renal disease.

Conclusion

Kidney biopsy is a safe and effective method for determining the cause of renal impairment after liver transplantation. Management of patients based on the result of kidney biopsy may improve renal outcomes.

Liver transplant outcome: a comparison between high and low MELD score recipients

OBJECTIVE

To compare low and high MELD scores and investigate whether existing renal dysfunction has an effect on transplant outcome.

METHODS

Data was prospectively collected among 237 liver transplants (216 patients) between March 2003 and March 2009. Patients with cirrhotic disease submitted to transplantation were divided into three groups: MELD > or = 30, MELD < 30, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Renal failure was defined as a +/- 25% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate as observed 1 week after the transplant. Median MELD scores were 35, 21, and 13 for groups MELD > or = 30, MELD < 30, and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively.

RESULTS

Recipients with MELD > or = 30 had more days in Intensive Care Unit, longer hospital stay, and received more blood product transfusions. Moreover, their renal function improved after liver transplant. All other groups presented with impairment of renal function. Mortality was similar in all groups, but renal function was the most important variable associated with morbidity and length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

High MELD score recipients had an improvement in the glomerular filtration rate after 1 week of liver transplantation.

Everolimus and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium ab initio after liver transplantation: midterm results

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Everolimus (EVR) use in liver transplantation (OLT) has been prescribed with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), steroids, and monoclonal antibodies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and impact on renal function of EVR ab initio, in combination with enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) without the use of induction treatment, steroids, or CNIs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospective analyzed nine consecutive patients who underwent OLT at our institution. The initial dose of EVR (1.5 mg/d) was adjusted to achieve trough levels of 8 to 12 ng/mL. EC-MPS introduced at 1080 mg/d was maintained at the same dose over time.

RESULTS

At a mean follow-up of 21.48 (standard deviation [SD] 1.4) months from OLT, 7/9 recipients were alive with stable graft function. The 2-year patient and graft survivals were 77%. One recipient died due to cerebral hemorrhage and one, lung failure. No clinical evidence of an acute rejection episode was observed. Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate value, according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula increased from 59.5 (SD 9.89) mL/min/1.73 m(2) at OLT to 100.2 (SD 47.5) mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P = .03) after 12 months and 98.71 (SD 33.74) mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P = .03) after 24 months' follow-up.

CONCLUSION

A double immunosuppression therapy with EVR and EC-MPS ab initio seemed to be efficacions and safe, representing a valid alternative to CNIs to prevent renal failure after OLT.

Conversion to everolimus in liver transplant patients with renal dysfunction

Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) immunosuppressive therapy post-liver transplantation (OLT) is important to reduce graft rejection episodes. However, these drugs show important side effects, particularly renal dysfunction (RDF). Changing from CNI to a nonnephrotoxic drug, as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor may solve the problem. Our objective was to evaluate renal function (RF) among liver transplant patients initially receiving CNI, among whom the patients with RDF were converted completely or partially to an mTOR inhibitor like everolimus (EVE). We performed a prospective study in liver transplant patients from 2000 to 2009. Creatinine levels and creatinine clearances (Cockroft-Gault) expressed as mean values ± standard deviations were measured pre- and postswitch for comparisons using Wilcoxon nonparametric tests. Six patients were converted fully or partially to EVE. Their mean age at the moment of introducing the new therapy was 52.2 ± 13.6 years (range = 28-60). Immunosuppression time prior to switching from CNI to EVE was 23.8 ± 26.6 months (range = 6-70). Postconversion follow-up was 25.8 ± 16.5 months (range = 8-42). All patients showed improvement in RF. The creatinine level improvement was significant (P = .03) namely, from a mean of 2.26 ± 0.49 to 1.21 ± 0.57 mg/dL. Glomerular filtration rate improved from a mean of 40 ± 15.13 to 72.60 ± 17.3 mL/min/m(2) (P = .03). Conversion from CNI to EVE improved creatinine concentrations and creatinine clearances with long-term effects free of graft rejection.

Early withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitors and everolimus monotherapy in de novo liver transplant recipients preserves renal function

We designed a randomized trial to assess whether the early withdrawal of cyclosporine (CsA) followed by the initiation of everolimus (Evr) monotherapy in de novo liver transplantation (LT) patients would result in superior renal function compared to a CsA-based immunosuppression protocol. All patients were treated with CsA for the first 10 days and then randomized to receive Evr in combination with CsA up to day 30, then either continued on Evr monotherapy (Evr group) or maintained on CsA with/without mycophenolate mofetil (CsA group) in case of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Seventy-eight patients were randomized (Evr n = 52; CsA n = 26). The 1-year freedom from efficacy failure in Evr group was 75% versus 69.2% in CsA group, p = 0.36. There was no statistically significant difference in patient survival between the two groups. Mean modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) was significantly better in the Evr group at 12 months (87.7 ± 26.1 vs. 59.9 ± 12.6 mL/min; p < 0.001). The incidence of CKD stage ≥ 3 (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min) was higher in the CsA group at 1 year (52.2% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.005). The results indicate that early withdrawal of CsA followed by Evr monotherapy in de novo LT patients is associated with an improvement in renal function, with a similar incidence of rejection and major complications.

Risk factors for consequent kidney impairment and differential impact of liver transplantation on renal function

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops frequently after liver transplantation (LTx), and it is important to identify and correct risk factors that negatively affect kidney function. Risk factors have not been well evaluated in Asian countries where hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a dominant cause.

METHODS

Four hundred thirty-one Korean recipients who underwent LTx between 1997 and 2008 were analysed. CKD was defined as a sustained decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 (mL/min/1.73 m(2)) for at least three consecutive months using an abbreviated Modification in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula.

RESULTS

Eighty percent of the patients had HBV-related underlying diseases. The recipients whose pretransplant eGFR had been low (<30 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) improved their renal function after LTx, but significant functional decline occurred in recipients whose pretransplant eGFR was high (>or=60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). A multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the overall risk of CKD development (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) was associated with old age of recipients, cyclosporine, posttransplant acute renal failure (ARF), cause [calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) nephrotoxicity] and severity of posttransplant ARF, low pretransplant eGFR, pretransplant hepatorenal syndrome, pretransplant proteinuria, high Child-Pugh score and high Model for End-Stage Renal Disease (MELD) score. Especially in recipients whose pre-operative eGFR was high (>or=60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), rapid progression of kidney disease was associated with high tacrolimus level, non-HBV disease, posttransplant ARF, cause (CNI nephrotoxicity) and severity of posttransplant ARF and Child-Pugh score. CNI toxicity and focal segmental sclerosis, but not immune-complex disease, were revealed as significant contributors to CKD after LTx in HBV recipients.

CONCLUSION

Judicious use of CNIs should be applied to liver recipients to prevent kidney dysfunction.

A graft to body weight ratio less than 0.8 does not exclude adult-to-adult right-lobe living donor liver transplantation

Many centers require a minimal graft to body weight ratio (GBWR) >or= 0.8 as an arbitrary threshold to proceed with right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL-LDLT), and there is often hesitancy about transplanting lower volume living donor (LD) liver grafts into sicker patients. The data supporting this dogma, based on the early experience with RL-LDLT at Asian centers, are weak. To determine the effect of LD liver volume in the modern era, we investigated the impact of GBWR on the outcome of RL-LDLT with a GBWR as low as 0.6 at the University of Toronto. Between April 2000 and September 2008, 271 adult-to-adult RL-LDLT procedures and 614 deceased donor liver transplants were performed. Twenty-two living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) cases with a GBWR of 0.59 to 0.79 (group A) were compared with 249 LDLT cases with a GBWR >or= 0.8 (group B) and with 66 full-graft deceased donor liver transplants (group C), who were matched 3:1 according to donor and recipient age, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and presence of hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma with the low-GBWR group. Portal vein shunts were not used. Markers of reperfusion injury [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)], graft function (international normalized ratio and bilirubin), complications graded by the Clavien score, and graft and patient survival were compared. As expected, LD recipients had a significantly shorter cold ischemia time (94 +/- 43 minutes for A, 96 +/- 57 minutes for B, and 453 +/- 152 minutes for C, P = 0.0001). However, the peak AST, peak ALT, absolute decrease in the international normalized ratio, day 7 bilirubin level, postoperative creatinine clearance, complication rate graded by the Clavien score, and median hospital stay were similar in all groups. The rate of biliary complications was higher with LD grafts than deceased donor grafts (19% for A versus 10% for B and 0% for C, P = 0.2). Patient survival was similar in all groups at 1, 3, and 5 years (91% for A versus 89% for B and 93% for C at 1 year, 87% for A versus 81% for B and 89% for C at 3 years, and 83% for A versus 81% for B and 87% for C at 5 years, P = 0.63). A Cox proportional regression analysis revealed only hepatitis C virus as a risk factor for poorer graft survival and not GBWR as a continuous or categorical variable. In conclusion, we found no evidence of inferior outcomes with smaller size grafts versus larger size LD grafts or full-size deceased donor grafts. Further studies are warranted to examine the factors affecting the function of smaller grafts for living liver donation and thereby define the safe lower limits for transplantation.

Renal biopsy in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Renal impairment post-liver transplant (LT) is often attributed to calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). A renal biopsy can be a useful tool but may be complicated in LT recipients. We aimed to determine the clinical scenarios that prompted a decision to perform a renal biopsy in this patient population, to assess histological findings and evaluate patient management and survival and renal outcome.

METHODS

Information on clinical variables and renal histology was extracted from single-centre prospectively compiled databases from 1996 onwards.

RESULTS

Over 2100 adults received an LT in the time period studied, and 54 of these (35 males and 19 females) were referred for renal review. Of these, 43% underwent a renal biopsy. They had a higher creatinine (P = 0.02), a greater deterioration in creatinine over the year prior to review and were more likely to be nephrotic (both P < 0.01). Histological findings included hypertensive changes (44%), CNI nephrotoxicity (48%), IgA nephropathy (9%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (17%), acute tubular necrosis (4%), crescentic glomerulonephritis (4%) and diabetic nephropathy (9%). Major bleeding complications occurred in 17%. Treatment changed in the majority but, it was not significantly different in the two groups. Although initial renal function was worse in the biopsied group, final patient and renal survival did not differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

A renal biopsy is a valuable tool in those with renal insufficiency and/or proteinuria and haematuria but the benefits must be weighed against the relatively high complication rate in LT recipients.

Chronic kidney disease after liver, cardiac, lung, heart-lung, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Patient survival after cardiac, liver, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is improving; however, this survival is limited by substantial pretransplant and treatment-related toxicities. A major cause of morbidity and mortality after transplant is chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although the majority of CKD after transplant is attributed to the use of calcineurin inhibitors, various other conditions such as thrombotic microangiopathy, nephrotic syndrome, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis have been described. Though the immunosuppression used for each of the transplant types, cardiac, liver and HSCT is similar, the risk factors for developing CKD and the CKD severity described in patients after transplant vary. As the indications for transplant and the long-term survival improves for these children, so will the burden of CKD. Nephrologists should be involved early in the pretransplant workup of these patients. Transplant physicians and nephrologists will need to work together to identify those patients at risk of developing CKD early to prevent its development and progression to end-stage renal disease.