Pregnancy after liver transplantation

Anesthetic Considerations for the Parturient After Solid Organ Transplantation

Over the past 40 years, the success of organ transplantation has increased such that female solid organ transplant recipients are able to conceive and carry pregnancies successfully to term. Anesthesiologists are faced with the challenge of providing anesthesia care to these high-risk obstetric patients in the peripartum period. Anesthetic considerations include the effects of the physiologic changes of pregnancy on the transplanted organ, graft function in the peripartum period, and the maternal side effects and drug interactions of immunosuppressive agents. These women are at an increased risk of comorbidities and obstetric complications. Anesthetic management should consider the important task of protecting graft function. Optimal care of a woman with a transplanted solid organ involves management by a multidisciplinary team. In this focused review article, we review the anesthetic management of pregnant patients with solid organ transplants of the kidney, liver, heart, or lung.

AISF position paper on liver transplantation and pregnancy: Women in Hepatology Group, Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF)

After the first successful pregnancy in a liver transplant recipient in 1978, much evidence has accumulated on the course, outcomes and management strategies of pregnancy following liver transplantation. Generally, liver transplantation restores sexual function and fertility as early as a few months after transplant. Considering that one third of all liver transplant recipients are women, that approximately one-third of them are of reproductive age (18-49 years), and that 15% of female liver transplant recipients are paediatric patients who have a >70% probability of reaching reproductive age, the issue of pregnancy after liver transplantation is rather relevant, and obstetricians, paediatricians, and transplant hepatologists ever more frequently encounter such patients. Pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and infant in liver transplant recipients are generally good, but there is an increased incidence of preterm delivery, hypertension/preeclampsia, foetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes, which, by definition, render pregnancy in liver transplant recipients a high-risk one. In contrast, the risk of congenital anomalies and the live birth rate are comparable to those of the general population. Currently there are still no robust guidelines on the management of pregnancies after liver transplantation. The aim of this position paper is to review the available evidence on pregnancy in liver transplant recipients and to provide national Italian recommendations for clinicians caring for these patients.

Fetal hypoplastic left heart syndrome and maternal liver transplantation for Wilson's disease: a case report

Introduction

Liver transplantation currently represents the only curative treatment for Wilson’s disease. A lifelong immunosuppressive therapy is mandatory. In spite of increased maternal and fetal risks, pregnancies after liver transplantation have been reported with favorable perinatal outcomes. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a spectrum of congenital heart defects that results in the inability to support the systemic circulation. Although its etiology remains elusive, the prognosis of this previously fatal condition has dramatically improved over the last 2 decades mainly due to advances in prenatal diagnosis, surgical technique and perioperative care.

Case presentation

We present a case of a Caucasian 26-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 1 at 36⁺⁰ weeks of gestation who had received a liver transplantation due to Wilson’s disease and subsequently delivered a child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Conclusions

This coincidence of medical conditions has not been described in the literature so far and its implications for mother and child as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed on the basis of a literature review.

Pregnancy outcomes of liver transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Approximately 14,000 women of reproductive age are currently living in the United States after liver transplantation (LT), and another 500 undergo LT each year. Although LT improves reproductive function in women with advanced liver disease, the associated pregnancy outcomes and maternal-fetal risks have not been quantified in a broad manner. To obtain more generalizable inferences, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles that were published between 2000 and 2011 and reported pregnancy-related outcomes for LT recipients. Eight of 578 unique studies met the inclusion criteria, and these studies represented 450 pregnancies in 306 LT recipients. The post-LT live birth rate [76.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 72.7%-80.7%] was higher than the live birth rate for the US general population (66.7%) but was similar to the post-kidney transplantation (KT) live birth rate (73.5%). The post-LT miscarriage rate (15.6%, 95% CI = 12.3%-19.2%) was lower than the miscarriage rate for the general population (17.1%) but was similar to the post-KT miscarriage rate (14.0%). The rates of pre-eclampsia (21.9%, 95% CI = 17.7%-26.4%), cesarean section delivery (44.6%, 95% CI = 39.2%-50.1%), and preterm delivery (39.4%, 95% CI = 33.1%-46.0%) were higher than the rates for the US general population (3.8%, 31.9%, and 12.5%, respectively) but lower than the post-KT rates (27.0%, 56.9%, and 45.6%, respectively). Both the mean gestational age and the mean birth weight were significantly greater (P < 0.001) for LT recipients versus KT recipients (36.5 versus 35.6 weeks and 2866 versus 2420 g). Although pregnancy after LT is feasible, the complication rates are relatively high and should be considered during patient counseling and clinical decision making. More case and center reports are necessary so that information on post-LT pregnancy outcomes and complications can be gathered to improve the clinical management of pregnant LT recipients. Continued reporting to active registries is highly encouraged at the center level.

[Contraception and pregnancy after liver transplantation: an update overview]

CONTEXT

Successful liver transplantation not only treats the underlying liver disease but also restores libido and fertility in female recipients. Although reports of successful pregnancy after liver transplantation continue to increase, these pregnancies are considered of high-risk because they are associated with increase maternofetal morbidity.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A MEDLINE search (1978-2007) was conducted using the terms 'liver transplantation', 'pregnancy', 'immunosuppressive agents', 'sexual function'. Reviews, retrospective series, long-term clinical follow-up of case series and original articles containing basic scientific observations were included.

RESULTS

Although no formal guidelines have been established there are some 'golden rules' to improve the probability of favorable maternal and fetal outcome. Most transplant centers recommend to delay pregnancy for at least 1-year after transplantation. The recipient should be on a stable immunosuppression regimen, with good graft function and no evidence of renal dysfunction or uncontrolled arterial hypertension. Considering the increased incidence of prematurity, low birth weight, hypertension and preeclampsia reported during pregnancy post-LT, these high-risk patients should be managed by a multidisciplinary team, including an obstetrician specialized in high-risk pregnancies. Carefully monitoring of immunosuppressive drugs serum level is prudent to avoid graft rejection episodes and drugs with teratogenic potential should be discontinued. Breastfeeding is usually not recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful pregnancies are the rule after liver transplantation. A carefully monitoring by an experience multidisciplinary team increases the chances of favorable maternofetal outcome.

Pregnancy after transplantation

The National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR) was established in 1991 to study the outcomes of pregnancies in female transplant recipients and pregnancies fathered by male transplant recipients. Data from the NTPR have helped to endorse the reassurances from publications of smaller experiences that successful pregnancies are possible in the transplant population. In our last review for this journal (2000), we noted that important future issues would include the reassessment of prepregnancy guidelines, gestational and organ-specific problems, the role of new immunosuppressive drugs, and the long-term effects of pregnancy on both graft and child. Data collected by the NTPR over the last 7 years have addressed these issues, thus providing additional information for health care providers of transplant recipients of childbearing age. There has been some refinement of prepregnancy guidelines, but there is a need for additional data collection so that organ-specific outcomes and risks can further be identified. To date, the outcomes of the children followed have been encouraging, and specific remote effects have not been identified, but continued surveillance is still vital. Of special concern are the new immunosuppressive drugs, specifically for mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept, Roche Laboratories Inc., Nutley, New Jersey), where data reported to the NTPR and through postmarketing surveillance have shown an increased incidence of nonviable outcomes and a specific pattern and increased incidence of malformation in the newborn, which has resulted in a pregnancy category change. Newer information points to an increased need for vigilance among centers and continued monitoring of pregnancy outcomes in this population. As the first reported pregnancy after transplantation occurred in a kidney recipient 50 years ago, in March 1958, this review also highlights the first reported pregnancies in other solid organ recipients.

Hepatic disorders severely affected by pregnancy: medical and obstetric management

Hepatic disorders severely affected by pregnancy include choledochal cysts that can be compressed by the gravid uterus and potentially rupture; hepatic adenomas that exhibit accelerated growth because of hyperestrogenemia during pregnancy; acute intermittent porphyria that is exacerbated by increased female sex hormones during pregnancy; splenic artery aneurysms that can rupture during pregnancy because of compression by the gravid uterus; Budd-Chiari syndrome that is promoted by hyperestrogenemia; and hepatitis E and herpes simplex hepatitis that are particularly severe during pregnancy. Hepatic disorders unique to pregnancy include intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy; acute fatty liver of pregnancy; preeclampsia and eclampsia; and hemolysis, elevated liver function tests, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. Most disorders uniquely related to pregnancy are treated by prompt fetal delivery as soon as the fetus is sufficiently mature.

Mode of delivery in women after liver transplantation

AIM

A high rate of cesarean sections has been reported among high-risk pregnancies in liver transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to analyze the course of deliveries and the indications for cesarean sections in women after liver transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2001 to 2006, we noted 21 deliveries in 17 liver recipients. The mean age of women was 27.9 +/- 6.6 years and the mean time from transplantation to pregnancy was 4.3 +/- 3.6 years. Most patients were primigravidas on tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens. We retrospectively analyzed obstetric data regarding the delivery and the early puerperium.

RESULTS

We noted 6 vaginal deliveries (29%) and 15 cesarean sections (71%). Mean gestational age in the group of vaginal deliveries was 37.6 +/- 2.2 weeks. No labor complications were noted. All neonates were delivered in a good state (Apgar score from 8 to 10 points) with mean birth weight of 2725 g. All cesarean sections were performed for obstetric indications: fetal distress, breech presentation, intrauterine growth retardation, or complications related to premature labor. Mean gestational age was 37.0 +/- 1.9 weeks. The Apgar scores ranged from 4 to 10 points; mean birth weight was 2787 g. The mean period of hospitalization after surgical labor was 4 days longer compared with the vaginal delivery group.

CONCLUSION

The high rate of cesarean sections (71%) in liver recipients is associated with a great incidence of obstetric complications of pregnancy. Safe and uneventful vaginal delivery is possible with growing experience in the management of pregnant transplanted women.

Current issues in pediatric transplantation

Pediatric solid organ transplantation is so successful that >80% of children will survive to become teenagers and adults. Therefore, it is essential that these children maintain a good quality life, free of significant long-term side effects. While intensive immunosuppressive regimens (containing CsA, tacrolimus, MMF, and steroids) effectively reduce acute or chronic rejection, they can produce long-term side effects including viral infection, renal dysfunction, hypertension, and stunting. The development of effective methods of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CMV means that this is no longer a significant cause of mortality, but morbidity remains high. In contrast, infection rates of EBV remain high in EBV-negative pre-transplant patients. However, pre-emptive reduction of immunosuppression or treatment with rituximab or adoptive T-cell therapy is effective in preventing/treating post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Recent protocols have concentrated on reducing CsA immunosuppression, to prevent unacceptable cosmetic effects, and to reduce the hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and nephrotoxicity. Both CsA and tacrolimus cause a 30% reduction in renal function, with 4-5% of patients developing severe chronic renal failure. The use of IL-2 inhibitors for induction therapy with low-dose calcineurin inhibitors, in combination with renal-sparing drugs such as MMF or sirolimus for maintenance immunosuppression, should prevent significant renal dysfunction in the future. The concept of steroid-free immunosuppression with IL-2 inhibitors, tacrolimus, and MMF is an attractive option, which may reduce stunting and renal dysfunction. However, these regimens may be associated with the increased development of de-novo autoimmune hepatitis in 2-3% of children. The most important challenge to long-term survival in transplanted children is the management of non-adherence and other adolescent issues, particularly when transferring to adult units, as this is the time when many successful transplant survivors lose their grafts.

Pregnancy after liver transplantation: report of 8 new cases and review of the literature

Improved survival and quality of life following liver transplantation are associated with an increased frequency of pregnancies in liver-transplanted women. We investigated the outcome, complications, and management of those pregnancies. We have reviewed the literature and report 8 pregnancies in 6 transplant recipients. Seven pregnancies were completed at 38+/-2 (mean+/-standard deviation) weeks. One miscarriage occurred at week 12. Newborns' weight averaged 2938+/-156 g. Main complications were preeclampsia (n=1) and reversible cholestasis (n=1). Among 285 pregnancies reported in literature, 78+/-20% were successful and the main complications were: preeclampsia (26+/-19%), hypertension (28+/-19%), reversible liver dysfunction (27+/-21%), cesarean delivery (23+/-10%), preterm birth (31+/-28%), small for gestational age infants (23+/-10%), rejection (10+/-7%). Gestational weeks were 36.7+/-1.3, perinatal mortality was 4+/-10%, malformation rate 3%. The rates of both abortions and complications (preeclampsia and/or hypertension) were inversely related to the time interval between transplantation and conception (p<0.05). Abortions occurred more often in recipients whose underlying disease was autoimmune cirrhosis than in recipients with inherited disorders. Rejection rate was approx. 10%, which appears higher than reported in a non-pregnant population after a comparable time interval from transplant (2-3%). Up to 28 months after delivery, maternal death was 5.5+/-7%. We conclude that: the time intervals between transplantation and conception as well as the original cause of liver failure influence the outcome and complications of pregnancies in liver recipients. However, neonatal survival is high, while malformations are relatively rare.

Successful pregnancy in a liver transplant recipient following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

As the demand for assisted reproductive technologies (ART) increases, infertility treatments are increasingly being sought by patients with serious health problems that were once regarded as leading to infertility. Moreover, since pregnancy may worsen their underlying health conditions, these women have been advised to remain infertile. We describe here a liver transplant recipient who underwent ART for male factor infertility. Assisted fertilization was achieved using intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and she conceived after embryo transfer. Her pregnancy follow-up was unremarkable until she delivered a healthy boy pretermly at 31 and half weeks.

Liver disease in pregnancy

Liver dysfunction during pregnancy can be caused by conditions that are specific to pregnancy or by liver diseases that are not related to pregnancy itself. This review attempts to summarize the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of the different pregnancy-related liver diseases, and to review different liver diseases not related to pregnancy and how they may affect or be effected by pregnancy. Some of the liver diseases specific to pregnancy can cause significant morbidity and mortality both to the mother and to the fetus, while most of the liver diseases not specific to pregnancy do not have a deleterious effect on the pregnancy itself.

Pregnancy after organ transplant

The frequency and variety of solid organ transplantation in reproductive-age women increases each year. Pregnancy is no longer contraindicated in transplant recipients provided that their graft is functioning well and they are in good general health. Physicians who care for pregnant transplant recipients should be aware of the surmounting data that are available in the literature and through registries of maternal, fetal, and neonatal risks and complications as well as outcome data. Newer immunosuppressive agents preserve graft function and registry data attest to their safety in pregnancy. For optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes, a multispecialty care approach that includes the obstetrician/maternal-fetal specialist,transplant team, anesthesiologist, and neonatal team is prudent when caring for pregnancies after organ transplantation.

Pregnancy in patients with organ transplantation: a review

Women can undergo organ transplantation before or during childbearing years. Most pregnancies have been reported in women with renal allografts, but pregnancy is possible in women with various solid organ transplants. No specific structural malformations have been reported after immunosuppressant use in pregnancy; however, the perinatal risks of hypertension, growth restriction, and preterm delivery exist. Immunosuppressive therapy must be maintained and monitored during pregnancy to prevent rejection. Immunosuppressant therapy for allograft protection continues to change faster than safety information regarding human pregnancy is accumulated. This review discusses the pregnancy management for women with various organ transplants. Each group of recipients must deal with specific issues related to the organ transplanted and the underlying medical condition for which the transplant was necessary. Pregnancy in women with organ transplants is now not only common, but often successful for both mother and infant.

Função sexual e reprodutiva em receptoras de transplante hepático

RACIONAL: Anormalidades na função sexual e reprodutiva são comuns em pacientes com hepatopatia crônica avançada e podem ser revertidas após transplante hepático bem-sucedido. OBJETIVO: Avaliar aspectos da função sexual e reprodutiva em mulheres submetidas a transplante de fígado no Serviço de Transplante Hepático do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Entre setembro de 1991 e dezembro de 2001, 94 mulheres foram submetidas a transplante hepático. Vinte e oito delas (idade média 44,17 ± 13,60 anos) preencheram os seguintes critérios de inclusão: idade > 16 anos na época do transplante, sobrevida pós-transplante > 6 meses, estar em acompanhamento regular no Serviço na época do estudo e concordância em participar do mesmo. Os prontuários médicos foram revisados e as pacientes responderam a um questionário abordando padrão dos ciclos menstruais no pré e pós-transplante, gravidez no pós-transplante, métodos contraceptivos no pré e pós-transplante, freqüência de realização de citologia oncótica cervical no pré e pós-transplante, ocorrência de neoplasia ginecológica pós-transplante, além de questionário específico para o domínio da sexualidade no período pós-transplante. RESULTADOS: A mediana do tempo de seguimento pós-transplante das 28 pacientes foi de 36,5 meses (6-110 meses) e a principal indicação para o transplante foi cirrose associada à hepatite C (25%). Todas as pacientes apresentavam função normal do enxerto. Excluindo-se 6 pacientes em menopausa (natural ou cirúrgica), 13 das 22 pacientes (59,1%) com potencial de menstruar apresentavam amenorréia no ano anterior ao transplante. Dezenove dessas 22 pacientes (86,4%) reassumiram os ciclos menstruais após o transplante, com mediana de 1 mês pós-transplante (1 a 7 meses). Todas as pacientes com idade inferior a 45 anos voltaram a menstruar após o transplante. Quatro gestações bem-sucedidas ocorreram em três pacientes, sendo uma gestação gemelar. Cerca de 70% das transplantadas realizavam exame de citologia oncótica cervical pelo menos uma vez ao ano. Um caso de carcinoma adenoescamoso de endométrio foi identificado em uma paciente de 64 anos, 36 meses após o transplante, tratado cirurgicamente com sucesso. Cerca de 71,4% das pacientes referiram vida sexual ativa pós-transplante, sendo que 70% delas consideravam-na satisfatória. CONCLUSÕES: Após transplante hepático bem-sucedido, a maioria das mulheres em idade fértil reassumem os ciclos menstruais poucos meses após o transplante, tornando possível a ocorrência de gestações. Devido ao rápido retorno da libido e da fertilidade, as pacientes devem ser esclarecidas sobre métodos contraceptivos seguros após o transplante. A maioria das pacientes apresenta vida sexual ativa e satisfatória e realiza regularmente citologia oncótica cervical.

Strategies for optimizing immunosuppression in adolescent transplant recipients: a focus on liver transplantation

Adolescence is a difficult time for transplant recipients; they must learn to take responsibility for their own behavior and medication, and to balance their developing sexuality in a body that has been transformed by the adverse effects of immunosuppression. More than 80% of children survive transplantation to adolescence and adulthood, thus long-term outcome and tailoring of immunosuppression is of great importance. To date, the most experience with long-term immunosuppression regimens is cyclosporine, which is well tolerated and effective. Long-term adverse effects include hypertension, nephrotoxicity, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). The recent development of tacrolimus has improved the cosmetic adverse effects related to cyclosporine, but has similar rates of hypertension and nephrotoxicity, and possibly a higher rate of PTLD. There has been a recent, welcome development in renal sparing drugs, such as mycophenolate mofetil, which has no cosmetic adverse effects, does not require drug level monitoring and is thus particularly attractive to teenagers. Recent surveys demonstrate recovery of renal function with mycophenolate mofetil, if started prior to irreversible renal dysfunction. There are currently little published data on the use of sirolimus (rapamycin) in the pediatric population, but preliminary studies suggest that the future use of interleukin-2 receptor antibodies may be beneficial for immediate post-transplant induction of immunosuppression. It is important when planning immunosuppression for adolescents to consider the effects of drug therapy on both males and females in order to maintain fertility and to ensure safety in pregnancy. Noncompliance is a problem in this age group, but adequate practical measures and support should reduce noncompliance, and allow good, long-term graft function.

Optimal immunosuppression in teenagers

Adolescence is a difficult time for transplant recipients, who need to cope with the challenges of becoming independent from their parents, as well as taking responsibility for their own behavior and medication. They need to balance their developing sexuality with a body image which may be affected by the side-effects of immunosuppression. It is now anticipated that more than 80% of children will survive their transplant to become teenagers and adults, and it is therefore important to ensure that immunosuppressive medication is acceptable, convenient for drug level monitoring and free of significant long-term side-effects.

Problems during and after pregnancy of former biliary atresia patients treated successfully by the Kasai procedure

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the problems and the quality of life during and after pregnancy of the patients who had undergone Kasai operation and to find out a strategy for follow-up during the period of their pregnancy.

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to 134 institutions of the Japanese Biliary Atresia Society with the following questions: (1) Do you have any pregnancy cases in patients who had undergone Kasai operation? (2) Did she have any menstrual problem? (3) Did she have any problem during pregnancy and delivery? (4) Did she have any change in liver function tests after delivery? (5) Did she have any early and long-term problem after delivery? (6) Did the baby have any problem? (7) Was there any special care or comment about the pregnancy of the biliary atresia patients? The responses were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fourteen institutions reported 16 cases of pregnancy, 23 cases of delivery, and 2 cases of abortion. The causes of abortion in the 2 cases were attributed to hemorrhagic shock after massive bleeding from esophageal varices and serious atopic dermatitis, respectively. Other problems during pregnancy were abruption of placenta, fetal distress leading to caesarian section, and development of liver dysfunction leading liver transplantation. Problems after delivery included deterioration of liver function in 6 patients (37.5%), attacks of ascending cholangitis in 4 patients (25.0%), and severe fatigue with liver dysfunction from nursing the baby leading to liver transplantation. Only 3 of 16 (18.8%) patients were free of any problems. No abnormality was seen in the babies.

CONCLUSIONS

Even if the patients with biliary atresia lead a good postoperative course, unexpected complications can occur when they become pregnant. Close long-term follow-up is required for proper management of pregnancy in biliary atresia patients.

Pregnancy after liver transplantation

The first known posttransplantation pregnancy was in 1958 in a renal transplant recipient who had received a kidney from her identical twin sister. The first known posttransplantation pregnancy in a liver transplant recipient was in 1978. Information available from female kidney transplant recipients helped in the decision making involved in the management of this case, as well as those that followed. Over the last 20 years, issues specific to liver transplantation and pregnancy have been identified. Similar to the kidney transplant recipient population, when prepregnancy recipient graft function is stable and adequate, pregnancy appears to be well tolerated. Also similar to kidney transplant recipients, there has been no evidence of a specific malformation pattern among the children, and although prematurity and low birth weight occur, overall newborn outcomes have been favorable. Pregnancy in the setting of recurrent liver disease, such as recurrent hepatitis C, poses a potential problem among liver transplant recipients, as well as the possible adverse effects of immunosuppression on maternal kidney function. Also of significance, peripartum graft deterioration has more severe consequences in this transplant recipient population. Therefore, pregnancy must be considered carefully in this transplant recipient group. Since 1991, the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR) has studied the safety of pregnancy outcomes in solid-organ transplant recipients. The purpose of this review is to catalog studies in the literature, as well as to present current data from the registry with management guidelines.

Successful twin pregnancy in a dual-transplant couple resulting from in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: case report

There are numerous reports of successful pregnancy following liver transplantation. Little information is available regarding the incidence and management of infertility in transplant recipients, particularly the use of artificial reproductive technologies. We present a case of a successful twin pregnancy resulting from in-vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) in a liver transplant recipient, whose partner was a renal transplant recipient with severe oligozoospermia. With careful evaluation and monitoring, and the involvement of appropriate consultants, artificial reproductive technologies can be safely used in transplant recipient couples experiencing infertility.