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Cullaro G, Rubin J, Mehta N, Yao F, Verna EC, Lai JC. Sex-based Disparities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Liver Transplantation. Transplantation 2021; 105:2420-2426. [PMID: 33323764 PMCID: PMC8200371 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with chronic liver disease have lower rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as compared to men; it is unknown if there are sex-based differences in HCC recurrence postliver transplant. METHODS We conducted an analysis of patients who underwent liver transplant for HCC in the United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2017. RESULTS A total of 12 711 patients underwent liver transplant for HCC: 2909 (23%) women and 9802 (73%) men. Women had significantly lower rates of postliver transplant HCC recurrence than men (4.0% versus 5.4%, P = 0.002). A cox-regression analysis for postliver transplant HCC recurrence highlighted that even after accounting for etiology of cirrhosis, alpha-fetoprotein at liver transplant, tumor diameter, tumor pathology, and vascular invasion, female sex was associated with a 25% lower risk of postliver transplant HCC recurrence (95% confidence interval: 0.57-0.99). There were no interactions between female sex and the following variables: age, type of locoregional therapy, alpha-fetoprotein, donor sex, body mass index, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis etiology (P > 0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates an independent effect of sex on risk for HCC recurrence postliver transplant. Our data highlight an opportunity to better understand HCC tumor biology by investigating the drivers of this sex-based difference in HCC recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cullaro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of
Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jessica Rubin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of
Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Neil Mehta
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of
Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Francis Yao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of
Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Elizabeth C. Verna
- Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Columbia
University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer C. Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of
Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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2
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Do Social Determinants Define "Too Sick" to Transplant in Patients With End-stage Liver Disease? Transplantation 2019; 104:280-284. [PMID: 31335769 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delisting for being "too sick" to be transplanted is subjective. Previous work has demonstrated that the mortality of patients delisted for "too sick" is unexpectedly low. Transplant centers use their best clinical judgment for determining "too sick," but it is unclear how social determinants influence decisions to delist for "too sick." We hypothesized that social determinants and Donor Service Area (DSA) characteristics may be associated with determination of "too sick" to transplant. METHODS Data were obtained from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for adults listed and removed from the liver transplant waitlist from 2002 to 2017. Patients were included if delisted for "too sick." Our primary outcome was Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score at waitlist removal for "too sick." Regression assessed the association between social determinants and MELD at removal for "too sick." RESULTS We included 5250 delisted for "too sick" at 127 centers, in 53 DSAs, over 16 years. The mean MELD at delisting for "too sick" was 25.8 (SD ± 11.2). On adjusted analysis, social determinants including age, race, sex, and education predicted the MELD at delisting for "too sick" (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is variation in delisting MELD for "too sick" score across DSA and time. While social determinants at the patient and system level are associated with delisting practices, the interplay of these variables warrants additional research. In addition, center outcome reports should include waitlist removal rate for "too sick" and waitlist death ratios, so waitlist management practice at individual centers can be monitored.
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3
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Mahmud N, Gadsden MM, Goldberg DS. Is the Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease Score Truly a Detriment to Pediatric Liver Allocation? JAMA Pediatr 2018; 172:1013-1015. [PMID: 30242354 PMCID: PMC6309193 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.2886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadim Mahmud
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Perelman
School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Melissa M. Gadsden
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - David S. Goldberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Perelman
School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,Clinical Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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4
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The 'Final Rule,' issued by the Health Resources and Service Administration in 2000, mandated that liver allocation policy should be based on disease severity and probability of death, and - among other factors - should be independent of a candidate's residence or listing. As a result, the Organ Procurement Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has explored policy changes addressing geographic disparities without compromising outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Major paradigm shifts are underway in U.S. liver allocation policy. New hepatocellular carcinoma exception policy incorporates tumor characteristics associated with posttransplantation outcomes, whereas a National Liver Review Board will promote a standardized process for awarding exception points. Meanwhile, following extensive debate, new allocation policy aims to reduce geographic disparity by broadening sharing to the UNOS region and 150-mile circle around the donor hospital for liver transplant candidates with a calculated model for end-stage liver disease score at least 32. Unnecessary organ travel will be reduced by granting 3 'proximity points' to candidates within the same donation service area (DSA) as a liver donor or within 150 nautical miles of the donor hospital, regardless of DSA or UNOS region. SUMMARY This review provides an evaluation of major policy changes in liver allocation from 2016 to 2018.
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5
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Cullaro G, Sarkar M, Lai JC. Sex-based disparities in delisting for being "too sick" for liver transplantation. Am J Transplant 2018; 18:1214-1219. [PMID: 29194969 PMCID: PMC5910224 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Women with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation (LT) experience higher rates of waitlist mortality than men; it is unknown whether practices surrounding delisting for being "too sick" for LT contribute to this disparity beyond death alone. We conducted an analysis of patients listed for LT in the United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network not receiving exception points from May 1, 2007 to July 1, 2014 with a primary outcome of delisting with removal codes of "too sick" or "medically unsuitable." A total of 44 388 patients were included; 4458 were delisted for being "too sick" for LT. Delisting was more frequent in women (11% vs 9%, P < .001). Compared to delisted men, delisted women differed in age (58 vs 57), non-hepatitis C virus listing diagnoses (69% vs 56%), hepatic encephalopathy (36% vs 31%), height (161.9 vs 177.0 cm), private insurance (47% vs 52%), and Karnofsky performance status (60 vs 70) (P < .001 for all). There were no differences in Model for End-Stage Liver Disease including serum sodium and Child Pugh Scores. A competing risk analysis demonstrated that female sex was independently associated with a 10% (confidence interval 2%-18%) higher risk of delisting when accounting for rates of death and transplantation and adjusting for confounders. This study demonstrates a significant disparity in delisting practices by sex, highlighting the need for better assessments of sickness, particularly in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cullaro
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Monika Sarkar
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer C Lai
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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6
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Goet JC, Hansen BE, Tieleman M, van Hoek B, van den Berg AP, Polak WG, Dubbeld J, Porte RJ, Konijn-Janssen C, de Man RA, Metselaar HJ, de Vries AC. Current policy for allocation of donor livers in the Netherlands advantages primary sclerosing cholangitis patients on the liver transplantation waiting list-a retrospective study. Transpl Int 2017; 31:590-599. [DOI: 10.1111/tri.13097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorn C. Goet
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Erasmus University Medical Center; Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Bettina E. Hansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Erasmus University Medical Center; Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Toronto Center for Liver Disease; Toronto General Hospital; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
| | - Madelon Tieleman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Erasmus University Medical Center; Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Bart van Hoek
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Aad P. van den Berg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; University Medical Center Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Wojciech G. Polak
- Department of Surgery; Erasmus University Medical Center; Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Dubbeld
- Department of Surgery; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Robert J. Porte
- Department of Surgery; University Medical Center Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | | | - Robert A. de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Erasmus University Medical Center; Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Herold J. Metselaar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Erasmus University Medical Center; Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie C. de Vries
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Erasmus University Medical Center; Rotterdam The Netherlands
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7
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Sher L, Quintini C, Fayek SA, Abt P, Lo M, Yuk P, Ji L, Groshen S, Case J, Marsh CL. Attitudes and barriers to the use of donation after cardiac death livers: Comparison of a United States transplant center survey to the united network for organ sharing data. Liver Transpl 2017; 23:1372-1383. [PMID: 28834180 DOI: 10.1002/lt.24855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transplantation of liver grafts from donation after cardiac death (DCD) is limited. To identify barriers of DCD liver utilization, all active US liver transplant centers (n = 138) were surveyed, and the responses were compared with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data. In total, 74 (54%) centers responded, and diversity in attitudes was observed, with many not using organ and/or recipient prognostic variables defined in prior studies and UNOS data analysis. Most centers (74%) believed lack of a system allowing a timely retransplant is a barrier to utilization. UNOS data demonstrated worse 1- and 5-year patient survival (PS) and graft survival (GS) in DCD (PS, 86% and 64%; GS, 82% and 59%, respectively) versus donation after brain death (DBD) recipients (PS, 90% and 71%; GS, 88% and 69%, respectively). Donor alanine aminotransferase (ALT), recipient Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), and cold ischemia time (CIT) significantly impacted DCD outcomes to a greater extent than DBD outcomes. At 3 years, relisting and retransplant rates were 7.9% and 4.6% higher in DCD recipients. To optimize outcome, our data support the use of DCD liver grafts with CIT <6-8 hours in patients with MELD ≤ 20. In conclusion, standardization of donor and recipient criteria, defining the impact of ischemic cholangiopathy, addressing donor hospital policies, and developing a strategy for timely retransplant may help to expand the use of these organs. Liver Transplantation 23 1372-1383 2017 AASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristiano Quintini
- Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
| | - Sameh Adel Fayek
- Transplant Surgery, Medical City Transplant Institute-Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
| | - Peter Abt
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mary Lo
- Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Pui Yuk
- Departments of Surgery, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Lingyun Ji
- Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Susan Groshen
- Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jamie Case
- Scripps Center for Organ Transplantation, Scripps Clinic and Green Hospital, La Jolla, CA
| | - Christopher Lee Marsh
- Scripps Center for Organ Transplantation, Scripps Clinic and Green Hospital, La Jolla, CA
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8
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Ross K, Patzer RE, Goldberg DS, Lynch RJ. Sociodemographic Determinants of Waitlist and Posttransplant Survival Among End-Stage Liver Disease Patients. Am J Transplant 2017; 17:2879-2889. [PMID: 28695615 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
While regional organ availability dominates discussions of distribution policy, community-level disparities remain poorly understood. We studied micro-geographic determinants of survival risk and their distribution across Donor Service Areas (DSAs). Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients records for all adults waitlisted for liver transplantation 2002-2014 were reviewed. The primary exposure variables were county-level sociodemographic risk, as measured by the Community Health Score (CHS), a previously-validated composite index local health conditions, and distance to listing transplant center. Among 114 347 patients, the median CHS was 19.4 (range: 0-40). Compared the lowest risk counties (CHS 1-10), highest-risk counties (CHS 31-40) had more black (14.6% vs. 5.4%), publicly insured (44.9% vs. 33.0), and remote candidates (34.0% vs. 15.1% living >100 miles away). Higher-CHS candidates had greater waitlist mortality in Cox multivariable (HR 1.16 for CHS 31-40, 95% CI 1.11-1.21) and competing risks analysis (sHR 1.07, 95% CI 0.99-1.14). Post-transplant survival was similar across CHS quartiles. Living >25 miles from the transplant center conferred excess mortality risk (sHR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.12). Proposed distribution changes would disproportionately impact DSAs with more high-CHS or distant candidates. Low-income, rural and minority patients experience excess mortality while awaiting transplant, and risk disproportionately worse outcomes with reduced organ availability under current proposals.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ross
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - R E Patzer
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - D S Goldberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - R J Lynch
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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9
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10
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Decade-Long Trends in Liver Transplant Waitlist Removal Due to Illness Severity: The Impact of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Policy. J Am Coll Surg 2016; 222:1054-65. [PMID: 27178368 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2016.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The central tenet of liver transplant organ allocation is to prioritize the sickest patients first. However, a 2007 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulatory policy, Conditions of Participation (COP), which mandates publically reported transplant center performance assessment and outcomes-based auditing, critically altered waitlist management and clinical decision making. We examine the extent to which COP implementation is associated with increased removal of the "sickest" patients from the liver transplant waitlist. STUDY DESIGN This study included 90,765 adult (aged 18 years and older) deceased donor liver transplant candidates listed at 102 transplant centers from April 2002 through December 2012 (Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients). We quantified the effect of COP implementation on trends in waitlist removal due to illness severity and 1-year post-transplant mortality using interrupted time series segmented Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS We observed increasing trends in delisting due to illness severity in the setting of comparable demographic and clinical characteristics. Delisting abruptly increased by 16% at the time of COP implementation, and likelihood of being delisted continued to increase by 3% per quarter thereafter, without attenuation (p < 0.001). Results remained consistent after stratifying on key variables (ie, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and age). The COP did not significantly impact 1-year post-transplant mortality (p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS Although the 2007 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services COP policy was a quality initiative designed to improve patient outcomes, in reality, it failed to show beneficial effects in the liver transplant population. Patients who could potentially benefit from transplantation are increasingly being denied this lifesaving procedure while transplant mortality rates remain unaffected. Policy makers and clinicians should strive to balance candidate and recipient needs from a population-benefit perspective when designing performance metrics and during clinical decision making for patients on the waitlist.
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11
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O'Leary JG, Orloff SL, Levitsky J, Martin P, Foley DP. Keeping high model for end-stage liver disease score liver transplantation candidates alive. Liver Transpl 2015; 21:1428-37. [PMID: 26335696 DOI: 10.1002/lt.24329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As the mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score at time of liver transplantation continues to increase, it is crucial to implement preemptive strategies to reduce wait-list mortality. We review the most common complications that arise in patients with a high MELD score in an effort to highlight strategies that can maximize survival and successful transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline G O'Leary
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX.,Liver Intestine Community of Practice, American Society of Transplantation, Mount Laurel, NJ
| | - Susan L Orloff
- Liver Intestine Community of Practice, American Society of Transplantation, Mount Laurel, NJ.,Department of Surgery, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR
| | - Josh Levitsky
- Liver Intestine Community of Practice, American Society of Transplantation, Mount Laurel, NJ.,Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Paul Martin
- Liver Intestine Community of Practice, American Society of Transplantation, Mount Laurel, NJ.,Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - David P Foley
- Liver Intestine Community of Practice, American Society of Transplantation, Mount Laurel, NJ.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.,Veterans Administration Surgical Services, William S. Middleton Memorial Hospital, Madison, WI
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12
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Reddy KR, O'Leary JG, Kamath PS, Fallon MB, Biggins SW, Wong F, Patton HM, Garcia-Tsao G, Subramanian RM, Thacker LR, Bajaj JS. High risk of delisting or death in liver transplant candidates following infections: Results from the North American Consortium for the Study of End-Stage Liver Disease. Liver Transpl 2015; 21:881-8. [PMID: 25845966 DOI: 10.1002/lt.24139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Because Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores at the time of liver transplantation (LT) increase nationwide, patients are at an increased risk for delisting by becoming too sick or dying while awaiting transplantation. We quantified the risk and defined the predictors of delisting or death in patients with cirrhosis hospitalized with an infection. North American Consortium for the Study of End-Stage Liver Disease (NACSELD) is a 15-center consortium of tertiary-care hepatology centers that prospectively enroll and collect data on infected patients with cirrhosis. Of the 413 patients evaluated, 136 were listed for LT. The listed patients' median age was 55.18 years, 58% were male, and 47% were hepatitis C virus infected, with a mean MELD score of 2303. At 6-month follow-up, 42% (57/136) of patients were delisted/died, 35% (47/136) underwent transplantation, and 24% (32/136) remained listed for transplant. The frequency and types of infection were similar among all 3 groups. MELD scores were highest in those who were delisted/died and were lowest in those remaining listed (25.07, 24.26, 17.59, respectively; P < 0.001). Those who were delisted or died, rather than those who underwent transplantation or were awaiting transplantation, had the highest proportion of 3 or 4 organ failures at hospitalization versus those transplanted or those continuing to await LT (38%, 11%, and 3%, respectively; P = 0.004). For those who were delisted or died, underwent transplantation, or were awaiting transplantation, organ failures were dominated by respiratory (41%, 17%, and 3%, respectively; P < 0.001) and circulatory failures (42%, 16%, and 3%, respectively; P < 0.001). LT-listed patients with end-stage liver disease and infection have a 42% risk of delisting/death within a 6-month period following an admission. The number of organ failures was highly predictive of the risk for delisting/death. Strategies focusing on prevention of infections and extrahepatic organ failure in listed patients with cirrhosis are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Rajender Reddy
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Patrick S Kamath
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, MN
| | - Michael B Fallon
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Florence Wong
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Leroy R Thacker
- Department of Family and Community Health Nursing and Biostatistics McGuire VA Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Department ofMedicine, McGuire VA Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
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13
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Endo K, Hori T, Jobara K, Hata T, Tsuruyama T, Uemoto S. Pretransplant replacement of donor liver grafts with recipient Kupffer cells attenuates liver graft rejection in rats. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 30:944-51. [PMID: 25532540 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Rejection of liver grafts is a difficult issue that has not been resolved. Preoperative replacement of liver cells in the graft with cells from the intended recipient may attenuate rejection. We investigated whether preoperative transplant of recipient bone marrow cells (BMCs) to the donor replaced liver allograft cells and attenuated rejection. METHODS We used a rat model of allogeneic liver transplant (LT) from Dark Agouti (DA) to Lewis (LEW) rats. In BMC group, DA rats received BMC transplants from LacZ-transgenic LEW rats at 1 week before LT. In the control group, DA rats received no preoperative treatment. We evaluated graft damage at 7 days after LT and the survival of the recipient rats. RESULTS Rats in the BMC group experienced prolonged survival that was abrogated by the administration of gadolinium chloride to donors at 24 h before LT. Serum concentrations of total bilirubin and hyaluronic acid on day 7 were significantly lower in the BMC group, and histopathological analyses revealed that rejection of the liver graft was attenuated. X-gal staining and immunohistostaining of the liver graft revealed that BMCs engrafted in the sinusoidal space differentiated into Kupffer cells. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative transplant of recipient BMCs to LT donors replaced donor Kupffer cells and attenuated post-LT rejection, indicating that this strategy may increase the success of LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Endo
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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14
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The reduction of liver transplant wait list mortality remains a priority for transplant programs and depends on the accurate stratification of patients by mortality risk. Although estimation of 90-day mortality by Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has improved wait list survival, it is unclear how contemporary wait list mortality can best be diminished given the preponderance of listed patients with low MELD scores and long wait times. METHODS In this intention-to-treat analysis of 289 consecutively listed patients with over 5 years of follow-up, we aimed to determine the contribution of late mortality to overall wait list outcome and identify clinical predictors that would help discriminate long-term survivors from fatalities. RESULTS Seventy percent of wait list deaths occurred in patients listed with MELD scores less than 20, and 40% of deaths occurred in patients waiting longer than 1 year. Hypoalbuminemia at listing was a significant predictor of late mortality in all patients in both univariate and multivariate analyses, and it was most discriminatory among patients with MELD scores of 20 or less. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that hypoalbuminemia at listing reveals a vulnerable population of low MELD patients who are underserved by their MELD score over time. Such patients comprise almost 40% of the contemporary wait list and contribute substantially to list mortality given their poor access to transplantation. Targeting these at-risk patients with grafts from living or extended criteria donors may thus significantly diminish overall list mortality, and future initiatives to decrease overall wait list mortality must focus on improved risk stratification for low MELD patients.
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15
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VanderPluym C, Graham DA, Almond CS, Blume ED, Milliren CE, Singh TP. Survival in patients removed from the heart transplant waiting list before receiving a transplant. J Heart Lung Transplant 2014; 33:261-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2013.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Revised: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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