Nutritional Support During Liver Failure

Serum sodium, renal function, and survival of patients with end-stage liver disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Serum creatinine, a component of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), is an important prognostic indicator in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). In addition, serum sodium has recently been recognized as an important predictor of mortality in patients with ESLD. We investigate the role of serum creatinine and sodium, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as determinants of survival in patients with ESLD.

METHODS

A prospective database was utilized to identify all adults listed for primary liver transplantation (LTx) at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, between 1990 and 1999. GFR was measured by iothalamate clearance.

RESULTS

Among 837 patients listed for LTx, 660 had complete data including measured GFR. There was a significant association between GFR and survival after adjustment for MELD, with a linear rise in the risk of death as GFR decreased between 60 and 20ml/min/1.73m(2). Multivariable models showed that GFR is superior to creatinine in predicting mortality - a model consisting of total bilirubin (hazard ratio (HR)=2.17, p<0.01), INR (HR=3.26, p<0.01) and GFR (HR=0.42, p<0.01) was superior to MELD (chi-square 65.6 vs. 59.4, c-statistic 0.792 vs. 0.780). Serum sodium did not contribute to survival prediction when accurately measured GFR data were available.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum concentrations of creatinine and sodium in patients with end-stage liver disease reflect a reduction in renal function, the underlying event that decreases survival.

Long-term renal function in liver transplant recipients and impact of immunosuppressive regimens (calcineurin inhibitors alone or in combination with mycophenolate mofetil): the TRY study

The prevalence of renal insufficiency before and at 1, 12, and 60 months after liver transplantation (LTx; primary endpoint) and the changes in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at same time points according to the immunosuppressive regimen (coprimary endpoint) were investigated. The primary outcome was determined for the entire cohort, whereas the coprimary endpoint was determined only for 2 groups of patients: those who started and remained on a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) alone, that is, the CNI-alone group (n = 624), and those who started and remained on a CNI in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), that is, the MMF group (n = 117). GFR was <60 mL/minute/1.73 kg/m(2) in 11%, 48%, 51% and 58% of the patients at baseline and at 1, 12, and 60 months, respectively. The decrease in GFR was significantly lower in the MMF group compared to the CNI-alone group at 12 and 60 months (-16% versus -30% and -15% versus -33%, respectively), whereas the GFR decrease at 1 month was not different between the 2 groups. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in CNI doses or blood levels at 12 and 60 months. In conclusion, there was a worsening of renal failure in 83% of patients post-LTx; 58% and 5% had GFRs of <60 and <30 mL/minute/1.73 kg/m(2), respectively, at 5 years after LTx. The reduction of the GFR was significantly less marked in the MMF group compared to the CNI-alone group, and this could be related to less important CNI exposure early after LTx. It seems likely that early intervention for CNI reduction is best for reducing the use of CNIs in the long term.

Acompanhamento nutricional de cirróticos com história pregressa de alcoolismo

A desnutrição proteíco-energética é freqüente nos pacientes cirróticos e representa um sério risco no aumento das taxas de morbi-mortalidade desta população. Independente do fator etiológico sua prevalência é alta e repercute em ambos os sexos. Este estudo de casos objetivou verificar o impacto da injúria cirrose alcoólica no estado nutricional e a eficácia do tratamento dietoterápico na reversão da depleção nutricional. Foram estudados 50 pacientes (47 homens e 3 mulheres) atendidos no Ambulatório de Nutrição onde foi realizada avaliação nutricional objetiva com os parâmetros antropométricos, bioquímicos, clínicos e história dietética em três momentos distintos (início, 8º e 18º mês de tratamento). Os resultados iniciais revelaram que 96% dos cirróticos apresentavam algum nível de desnutrição e, no 18º mês tiveram normalização dos parâmetros nutricionais.

Common nutritional issues in pediatric and adult critical care medicine

This article discusses many of the nutritional topics important to the intensivist. Nutritional assessment, substrate immunonutrition, and disease specific issues are presented. Early introduction of enteral feeds and the use of nutritional modulation are emphasized.