Liver transplant for alcoholic hepatitis: a current clinical overview

Liver transplantation for alcohol-associated hepatitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Early liver transplantation is emerging as a treatment option for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis refractory to pharmacotherapies. This review outlines the current status of transplantation for alcohol-associated hepatitis and the treatment of alcohol use disorder after liver transplantation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Rates of early liver transplantation for alcohol-associated hepatitis are increasing with significant heterogeneity in practices across the Unites States. Recent studies have demonstrated a substantial survival benefit in patients transplanted for alcohol-associated hepatitis with improved outcomes in early vs. late transplantation, first vs. prior hepatic decompensation, and posttransplant abstinence/delayed relapse vs. early return to alcohol use. Several prediction algorithms have been developed to ascertain patients' risk of alcohol relapse and aid in candidate selection, though data on treatment of alcohol use disorders in transplant recipients remains limited.

SUMMARY

Although controversial, early liver transplantation for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis has shown to be a lifesaving intervention. Additional research is needed to evaluate its long-term outcomes, optimize candidate selection, and understand treatment of alcohol use disorder posttransplant.

Current Approaches in the Allocation of Liver Transplantation

In recent decades, important advances have been made in the field of liver transplantation. One of the major problems remaining in this area is the small number of donors. Thus, recent data bring multiple updates of the indications and contraindications of this therapeutic method. The main goal is to increase the number of patients who can benefit from liver transplantation, a therapeutic method that can improve life expectancy and the quality of life of patients with end-stage liver disease. Another goal in the management of these patients is represented by the optimal care of those on the waiting list during that period. A multidisciplinary team approach is necessary to obtain the best results for both the donor and the recipient.

Transplant in acute alcoholic hepatitis: a relative contraindication

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to provide a critical analysis of liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis, with an emphasis on barriers to long-term success in current implementation strategies across the United States.

RECENT FINDINGS

Alcohol-associated liver disease is the most rapidly increasing indication for liver transplantation in the USA. Its most severe form, acute alcoholic hepatitis, has a rising incidence particularly in the young, and is associated with a high mortality risk. Although excellent outcomes following liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis can be achieved, several barriers limit its routine use. These constraints include risk of allograft dysfunction, the recognition of alcohol use disorder as a multisystem disease and ethical considerations.

SUMMARY

Although liver transplantation is an important option in a carefully selected group of candidates, it should not be considered the standard of care in this condition. Consistency, transparency and consensus are necessary to formulate and implement policy changes at the national level. Following liver transplantation, wraparound services are important for relapse prevention, and to ensure long-term success and survival in this challenging group of patients.

Current Trends in Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Hepatitis

Liver transplantation (LT) for alcohol-related or alcoholic hepatitis (AH) remains a controversial treatment option. However, recent studies have shown promising outcomes for LT in a subgroup of patients with AH. Considering these emerging data, LT as definitive therapy for severe AH refractory to medical management is gaining recognition. However, concerns of alcohol recidivism pose a significant barrier to perform LT for this indication. Predictive models can be utilized to develop a selection criterion to identify suitable candidates for LT. Hence, carefully selected patients with severe AH and low risk of alcohol relapse can be considered for LT.

Innovations in liver transplantation in 2020, position of the Belgian Liver Intestine Advisory Committee (BeLIAC)

Liver transplantation (LT) remains the only curative option for patients suffering from end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure and selected hepatocellular carcinomas and access to the LT-waiting list is limited to certain strict indications. However, LT has shown survival advantages for patients in certain indications such as acute alcoholic hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma outside Milan criteria and colorectal cancer metastases. These newer indications increase the pressure in an already difficult context of organ shortage. Strategies to increase the transplantable organ pool are therefore needed. We will discuss here the use of HCV positive grafts as the use of normothermic isolated liver perfusion. Belgian Liver Intestine Advisory Committee (BeLIAC) from the Belgian Transplant Society (BTS) aims to guarantee the balance between the new indications and the available resources.