Risk factors of acute renal failure after orthotopic liver transplantation: single-center experience

An overview of unresolved issues in the perioperative management of liver transplant patients

Over the past decade, the field of solid organ transplantation has undergone significant changes, with some of the most notable advancements occurring in liver transplantation. Recent years have seen substantial progress in preoperative patient optimization protocols, anesthesia monitoring, coagulation management, and fluid management, among other areas. These improvements have led to excellent perioperative outcomes for all surgical patients, including those undergoing liver transplantation. In the last few decades, there have been numerous publications in the field of liver transplantation, but controversies related to perioperative management of liver transplant recipients persist. In this review article, we address the unresolved issues surrounding the anesthetic management of patients scheduled for liver transplantation.

High-dose ulinastatin to prevent late-onset acute renal failure after orthotopic liver transplantation

Purpose

To compare the efficacy and safety of two distinct doses of ulinastatin on late-onset acute renal failure (LARF) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods

The high-risk recipients that underwent OLT were divided into two groups according to ulinastatin dose: low-dose (LD) ulinastatin group, 0.8 million U/d; high-dose (HD) ulinastatin group, 1.6 million U/d. The primary outcome was the incidence of LARF, which was defined the newly onset acute kidney injury (AKI) stage III (KDIGO, 2012) within 7–28 post-transplant days. The second outcomes were early multiple organ retrieval assessments, length of hospital stay and safety events.

Results

A total of 174 recipients were included (LD ulinastatin group, n = 55; HD ulinastatin group, n = 119). There was no significant difference in the incidence of LARF between LD (8/55, 14.50%) and HD (9/119, 7.56%) ulinastatin groups (HD vs. LD, HR, 0.49; 95%CI, 0.17–1.37; p = .1295). Multivariate Cox proportion risk regression model revealed HD ulinastatin (HR, 0.57; 95%CI, 0.38–0.98; p = .0464) was an independent protective factor for LARF. Early lactate level, oxygenation, AKI stage, graft function, and sequential organ failure assessment [SOFA] score were significantly improved in HD ulinastatin group versus LD ulinastatin group. No significant adverse events were observed in either group.

Conclusions

Higher dose of ulinastatin (1.6 million U/d) might be preferable to prevent LARF after OLT, and it may contribute to the enhancement of early multiple organ recovery and thus attenuate the incidence of LARF.

Effects of Intraoperative Fluid Balance During Liver Transplantation on Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury: An Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Liver transplant recipients suffer many postoperative complications. Few studies evaluated the effects of fluid management on these complications. We conducted an observational cohort study to evaluate the association between intraoperative fluid balance and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) and other postoperative complications.

METHODS

We included consecutive adult liver transplant recipients who had their surgery between July 2008 and December 2017. Our exposure was intraoperative fluid balance, and our primary outcome was the grade of AKI at 48 hours after surgery. Our secondary outcomes were the grade of AKI at 7 days, the need for postoperative renal replacement therapy, postoperative red blood cell transfusions, time to first extubation, time to discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU), and 1-year survival. Every analysis was adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

We included 532 transplantations in 492 patients. We observed no effect of fluid balance on either 48-hour AKI, 7-day AKI, or on the need for postoperative renal replacement therapy after adjustments for confounders. A higher fluid balance increased the time to ICU discharge, and increased the risk of dying (hazard ratio = 1.21 [1.04,1.40]).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed no association between intraoperative fluid balance and postoperative AKI. Fluid balance was associated with longer time to ICU discharge and lower survival. This study provides insight that might inform the design of a clinical trial on fluid management strategies in this population.

Restrictive fluid management strategies and outcomes in liver transplantation: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Restrictive fluid management strategies have been proposed to reduce complications in liver transplant recipients. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effects of restrictive perioperative fluid management strategies, compared with liberal ones, on postoperative outcomes in adult liver transplant recipients. Our primary outcome was acute kidney injury (AKI). Our secondary outcomes were bleeding, mortality, and other postoperative complications.

SOURCE

We searched major databases (CINAHL, EMB Reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the grey literature) from their inception to 10 July 2018 for randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing two fluid management strategies (or observational studies reporting two outcomes with available data on fluid volume received) in adult liver transplant recipients. Study selection, data abstraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed by at least two investigators. Data from RCTs were pooled using risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD) with random-effect models.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We found seven RCTs and 29 observational studies. Based on RCTs, fluid management strategies did not have any effect on AKI, mortality, or any other postoperative complications. Intraoperative RCTs suggested that a restrictive fluid management strategy reduced pulmonary complications (RR, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47 to 0.99; n = 283; I² = 27%), duration of mechanical ventilation (MD, -13.04 hr; 95% CI, -22.2 to -3.88; n = 130; I² = 0%) and blood loss (MD, -1.14 L; 95% CI, -1.72 to -0.57; n = 151; I² = 0%).

CONCLUSION

Based on low or very low levels of evidence, we did not find any association between restrictive fluid management strategies and AKI, but we observed possible protective effects of intraoperative restrictive fluid management strategies on other outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42017054970); registered 18 May, 2017.

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Is Not Associated with Tacrolimus-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Liver Transplant Patients Who Received Mycophenolate Mofetil with Delayed Introduction of Tacrolimus

Tacrolimus is widely used as an immunosuppressant in liver transplantation, and tacrolimus-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication. The urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) level has been linked to tacrolimus-induced AKI in patients starting tacrolimus treatment the morning after liver transplantation. Here we tested this association using a different immunosuppression protocol: Mycophenolate mofetil administration beginning on Postoperative Day 1 and tacrolimus administration beginning on Postoperative Day 2 or 3. Urine samples were collected from 26 living donor liver transplant recipients before (Postoperative Day 1) and after (Postoperative Day 7 or 14) tacrolimus administration. NGAL levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, as were those of three additional urinary biomarkers for kidney diseases: Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), and human epididymis secretory protein 4 (HE4). HE4 levels after tacrolimus administration were significantly higher in patients who developed AKI (n = 6) than in those who did not (n = 20), whereas NGAL, MCP-1, and L-FABP levels did not differ significantly before or after tacrolimus administration. These findings indicate that NGAL may not be a universal biomarker of AKI in tacrolimus-treated liver transplant recipients. To reduce the likelihood of tacrolimus-induced AKI, our immunosuppression protocol is recommended.

New approaches for the detection of invasive fungal diseases in patients following liver transplantation-results of an observational clinical pilot study

PURPOSE

Despite antifungal prophylaxis following liver transplantation (LTX), patients are at risk for the development of subsequent opportunistic infections, such as an invasive fungal disease (IFD). However, culture-based diagnostic procedures are associated with relevant weaknesses.

METHODS

Culture and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based fungal findings as well as corresponding plasma levels of ß-D-glucan (BDG), galactomannan (GM), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-2, -4, -6, -10, -17A and mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) were evaluated in 93 patients at 6 consecutive time points within 28 days following LTX.

RESULTS

A NGS-based diagnostic approach was shown to be suitable for the early identification of fungal pathogens in patients following LTX. Moreover, MR-proADM and IL-17A in plasma proved suitable for the identification of patients with an IFD.

CONCLUSION

Plasma measurements of MR-proADM and IL-17A as well as a NGS-based diagnostic approach were shown to be attractive methodologies to attenuate the weaknesses of routinely used culture-based diagnostic procedures for the determination of an IFD in patients following LTX. However, an additional confirmation within a larger multicenter trial needs to be recommended.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00005480 .

Role of serum levels of intraoperative brain natriuretic peptide for predicting acute kidney injury in living donor liver transplantation

Background

Patients with end-stage liver disease frequently experience acute kidney injury (AKI) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have increasingly been accepted as a predictor of AKI in clinical settings. This study investigated the predictive role of intraoperative BNP levels in the early development of AKI after LDLT.

Patients and methods

Adult patients (≥19 years old) who had undergone elective LDLT from January 2011 to December 2017 were classified into the non-AKI and AKI groups according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Serum levels of BNP were measured three times in the preanhepatic, anhepatic, and neohepatic phases. Perioperative data in recipients and donors were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Sixty-one patients (22.4%) suffered from AKI immediately after LDLT. Severity according to AKI stage was as follows: 28 patients in stage 1 (10.3%), 18 patients in stage 2 (6.6%), and 15 patients in stage 3 (5.5%). In the neohepatic phase, both BNP levels and proportions of patients with high BNP levels (≥100 pg/mL) were higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group. Only BNP levels in the non-AKI and AKI stage 1 groups significantly decreased from the preanhepatic phase to the neohepatic phase; those in AKI stages 2 and 3 groups did not. In particular, BNP levels of all AKI stage 3 patients increased to more than 100 pg/mL, and the proportion of patients with high levels also increased significantly through the surgical phases in the AKI stage 3 group. In multivariate analyses, BNP levels in the neohepatic phase were significantly associated with early development of AKI after LDLT, as well as the total amount of packed red blood cells in transfusions and total duration of graft ischemia.

Conclusions

Monitoring serum levels of BNP is useful for predicting the early development of AKI after LDLT.

Effects of perioperative fluid management on postoperative outcomes in liver transplantation: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Liver transplant recipients suffer many complications, but few intraoperative interventions supported by high-quality evidence have been found effective to reduce their incidence or severity. Fluid balance has been proposed as an important aspect of perioperative care in high-risk recipients. We will conduct a systematic review aimed at evaluating the effects of restrictive perioperative fluid management strategies compared to liberal ones on clinically significant postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

We will search through major databases (CINAHL Complete, EMB Reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and the gray literature (CADTH, Clinical Trials, National Guideline Clearing House, NICE, MedNar, Google Scholar and Open Grey)), from inception up to a date close to the review submission for publication, for eligible studies. Randomized controlled trials and comparative non-randomized studies (prospective or retrospective) comparing two fluid management strategies (or two outcomes with available data on fluid volume received for observational studies) on adult liver recipients will be included. Eligible studies will have to report at least one postoperative complication or mortality. Our primary outcome will be acute renal failure and our secondary exploratory outcomes will be all other postoperative complications and mortality. Study selection and data abstraction using an electronic standardized form will be performed by three authors. Risk of bias will be evaluated and data will be pooled if limited clinical diversity is observed.

DISCUSSION

Human organs available for transplantation are scarce resources. Strategies to improve recipients' survival are needed. We hypothesize that restrictive fluid management strategies will be associated with better postoperative outcomes than liberal fluid management strategies. This systematic review will improve our understanding of the available evidence and help us better inform future clinical trials.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

This systematic review protocol is registered in PROSPERO ( CRD42017054970 ).

Risk factors for acute kidney injury after orthotopic liver transplantation: A single-center data analysis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of the current study was to determine the risk factors for AKI in patients undergoing OLT. A total of 103 patients who received OLT between January 2015 and May 2016 in Tongji Hospital, China, were retrospectively analyzed. Their demographic characteristics and perioperative parameters were collected, and AKI was diagnosed using 2012 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) staging criteria. It was found that the incidence of AKI was 40.8% in this cohort and AKI was significantly associated with body mass index, urine volume, operation duration (especially > 480 min), and the postoperative use of vasopressors. It was concluded that relative low urine output, long operation duration, and the postoperative use of vasopressors are risk factors for AKI following OLT.

Acute kidney injury after liver transplantation: Recent insights and future perspectives

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common postoperative complication after liver transplantation (LT). The occurrence of postoperative AKI after LT (Post-LT AKI) is associated with inferior patient and graft outcomes. Post-LT AKI is multifactorial in origin and has been related to the severity of liver disease, pre-LT renal dysfunction, graft quality, perioperative events and toxicity of immunosuppressive therapy. Furthermore it is thought that hepatic ischaemia reperfusion injury might be a driving force in the aetiology of post-LT AKI. Novel biomarkers for AKI are emerging and can be useful for early identification and characterization of AKI. There is a clear need for strategies aimed at preventing or treating post-LT AKI. Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have been studied, but so far failed to show any benefit in the prevention of post-LT AKI. Further studies are needed to develop and evaluate new interventions aimed at preventing post-LT AKI and improve patient outcomes.

Incidence and outcomes of acute kidney injury in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation

PURPOSE

To describe the incidence and outcomes linked with acute kidney injury (AKI) after liver transplantation (LT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODS

From January 2003 to February 2011, HCC patients undergoing LT were retrospectively enrolled. Patient with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m² was excluded. AKI was defined and classified according to the AKIN criteria.

RESULTS

Of the 566 eligible patients, AKI was found in 109 (19.26%) patients (stage I, 66 cases; stage II, 15 cases; and stage III, 28 cases). Risk factors for AKI were the long anhepatic time (OR = 3.59, P = 0.009) and prolonged duration of systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mmHg (OR = 1.07, P < 0.0001). Post-LT AKI was an independent risk factor associated with 30-day mortality (HR = 4.05, P = 0.047). Complete recovery occurred in 84 (77.06%) of all AKI episodes within 1 month after operation, while 25 patients (22.94%) suffered from prolonged AKI. Patients with prolonged AKI had a poorer 1-year survival than those with transient AKI (40 vs 86.90%; P < 0.0001). Patients with severe AKI more often developed prolonged AKI. 13 patients (52%) of the prolonged AKI progressed to chronic kidney disease (CKD) defined as eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² after 1 year post-operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-LT AKI is not an uncommon complication. Intra-operative hemodynamic instability is crucial in the development of post-LT AKI and deserves more attention. Most post-LT AKI is transient and reversible, while the prolonged form may predict a decrease survival.

Risk factors of acute kidney injury after orthotopic liver transplantation in China

In this study, we determined the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in China. We collected 5074 donation after cardiac death (DCD) OLT recipients who underwent surgery between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2015, in 86 academic hospitals or transplant centers in China. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the criticality of donor, graft, or recipient variables in the development of post-OLT AKI. In all, 4482 patients were included (median age, 49.31 years). Post-OLT AKI occurred in 3.97% patients, and 73.6% of all OLT patients were male. The 1- and 5-year cumulative survival rates (CSRs) of the AKI group were 33.95% and 25.24%, respectively, compared with 86.34% and 70.05%, respectively, of the non-AKI group (P < 0.001). The independent risk factors for post-OLT AKI were blood loss, cold ischemia time, warm ischemia time, preoperative serum creatinine, the treatment period with dopamine, overexposure to calcineurin inhibitor, and combined mycophenolate mofetil use (P < 0.05). These had a high prediction accuracy for post-OLT AKI (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.740).

WITHDRAWN: Risk factors of acute kidney injury after orthotopic liver transplantation in China

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