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Chanan EL, Wagener G, Whitlock EL, Berger JC, McAdams-DeMarco MA, Yeh JS, Nunnally ME. Perioperative Considerations in Older Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients: A Review. Transplantation 2024:00007890-990000000-00716. [PMID: 38557579 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
With the growth of the older adult population, the number of older adults waitlisted for and undergoing kidney and liver transplantation has increased. Transplantation is an important and definitive treatment for this population. We present a contemporary review of the unique preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative issues that patients older than 65 y face when they undergo kidney or liver transplantation. We focus on geriatric syndromes that are common in older patients listed for kidney or liver transplantation including frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive dysfunction; discuss important considerations for older transplant recipients, which may impact preoperative risk stratification; and describe unique challenges in intraoperative and postoperative management for older patients. Intraoperative challenges in the older adult include using evidence-based best anesthetic practices, maintaining adequate perfusion pressure, and using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Postoperative concerns include controlling acute postoperative pain; preventing cardiovascular complications and delirium; optimizing immunosuppression; preventing perioperative kidney injury; and avoiding nephrotoxicity and rehabilitation. Future studies are needed throughout the perioperative period to identify interventions that will improve patients' preoperative physiologic status, prevent postoperative medical complications, and improve medical and patient-centered outcomes in this vulnerable patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Chanan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Gebhard Wagener
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Elizabeth L Whitlock
- Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jonathan C Berger
- Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Mara A McAdams-DeMarco
- Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Joseph S Yeh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Mark E Nunnally
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
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De Simone P, Battistella S, Lai Q, Ducci J, D'Arcangelo F, Marchetti P, Russo FP, Burra P. Immunosuppression for older liver transplant recipients. Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2024; 38:100817. [PMID: 38128152 DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2023.100817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Older liver transplant recipients have a lower risk of acute rejection than younger patients (9% for patients aged ≥65 years versus 23% for those aged 18-34 years) and are more vulnerable to immunosuppression-related complications. The number of liver transplant recipients ≥65 years has risen to 22% in Europe and the US, but limited information is available on the optimal immunosuppressive regimen for these patients. In this review, we discuss the appropriate management of immunosuppressive agents in older adults to minimize adverse events while avoiding acute rejection. The way the body processes drugs greatly depends on age. In the case of calcineurin inhibitor drugs, aging reduces hepatic metabolism, leading to changes in their pharmacokinetics. Corticosteroids also show decreased clearance as the patient ages. In severe cases of hypoalbuminemia, dose adjustment of mycophenolate acid derivatives may be necessary. However, the pharmacokinetic profiles of the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, basiliximab, and rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin remain unaffected by age. Furthermore, age-related frailty may impact drug metabolism and require tailored interventions and closer follow-up. Although there is limited research, elderly liver transplant recipients require less immunosuppression with double or triple-agent regimens, lower exposure to calcineurin inhibitors, and a shorter course of corticosteroids. The usage of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in older transplant populations has not been specifically investigated, and thus their usage should align with indications for younger patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo De Simone
- Liver Transplant Program, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy; Department of Surgical, Medical, Biochemical Pathology and Intensive Care, University of Pisa, Italy.
| | - Sara Battistella
- Gastroenterology, Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Quirino Lai
- General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Juri Ducci
- Liver Transplant Program, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca D'Arcangelo
- Gastroenterology, Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Piero Marchetti
- Diabetology Unit, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Gastroenterology, Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Patrizia Burra
- Gastroenterology, Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
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