Chronic renal outcome after living donor liver transplantation

Kidney Podocyte Zebra Bodies after Lung Transplantation for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

A 55-year-old woman showed progressive renal dysfunction after unilateral deceased-donor lung transplantation for lymphangioleiomyomatosis. A kidney biopsy showed a striped pattern of interstitial fibrosis, suggesting calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, and zebra body accumulation was found predominantly in the podocytes, characteristics of Fabry disease. Nevertheless, she had no extra-renal symptoms of the disease, and gene testing identified no known mutation or exon deletion. Our case report and literature review suggest that this atypical lysosomal inclusion may be phospholipidosis induced by sertraline. Potential underlying etiologies linking zebra body deposits may be not only hereditary but also drug-induced phospholipidosis.

Infection in Living Donor Liver Transplantation Leads to Increased Risk of Adverse Renal Outcomes

(1) Background: Little is known about the subsequent renal function change following incident infectious diseases in living-donor liver transplant (LT) recipients. (2) Methods: We studied patients who underwent living-donor LT from January 2003 to January 2019 to evaluate the association of incident hospitalization with major infections or pneumonia with adverse renal outcomes, including a sustained 40% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and renal composite outcome (a 40% decline in eGFR, end-stage renal disease, or death.). Multivariable-adjusted time-dependent Cox models with infection as a time-varying exposure were used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for study outcomes. (3) Results: We identified 435 patients (mean age 54.6 ± 8.4 years and 76.3% men), of whom 102 had hospitalization with major infections during follow-up; the most common cause of infection was pneumonia (38.2%). In multiple Cox models, hospitalization with a major infection was associated with an increased risk of eGFR decline > 40% (HR, 3.32; 95% CI 2.13−5.16) and renal composite outcome (HR, 3.41; 95% CI 2.40−5.24). Likewise, pneumonia was also associated with an increased risk of eGFR decline > 40% (HR, 2.47; 95% CI 1.10−5.56) and renal composite outcome (HR, 4.37; 95% CI 2.39−8.02). (4) Conclusions: Our results illustrated the impact of a single infection episode on the future risk of adverse renal events in LT recipients. Whether preventive and prophylactic care bundles against infection and judicious modification of the immunosuppressive regimen benefit renal outcomes may deserve further study.

[Kidney failure after liver transplantation]

One third of cirrhotic patients present impaired kidney function. It has multifactorial causes and has a harmful effect on patients' morbi-mortality before and after liver transplant. Kidney function does not improve in all patients after liver transplantation and liver-transplant recipients are at high risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Causes for renal dysfunction can be divided in three groups: preoperative, peroperative and postoperative factors. To date, there is no consensus for the modality of evaluation the risk for chronic kidney disease after liver transplantation, and for its prevention. In the present review, we describe the outcome of kidney function after liver transplantation, and the prognostic factors of chronic kidney disease to determine a risk stratification for each patient. Furthermore, we discuss therapeutic options to prevent kidney dysfunction in this setting, and highlight the indications of combined liver-kidney transplantation.

A meta-analysis on the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in liver transplant candidates and its associated risk factors and outcomes

Pre-liver transplant (LT) chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a leading cause of post-operative morbidity. We aimed to report the prevalence, associated risk factors, and clinical outcomes in patients with pre-LT CKD. Meta-analysis and systematic review were conducted for included cohort and cross-sectional studies. Studies comparing healthy and patients with s pre-LT CKD were included. Outcomes were assessed with pooled hazard ratios. 15 studies were included, consisting of 82,432 LT patients and 26,754 with pre-LT CKD. Pooled prevalence of pre-LT CKD was 22.35% (CI: 15.30%-32.71%). Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, viral hepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and older age were associated with increased risk of pre-LT CKD: (OR 1.72 CI: 1.15-2.56, P = 0.01), (OR 2.23 CI: 1.76-2.83, P < 0.01), (OR 1.09; CI: 1.05-1.13, P < 0.01), (OR 1.73; CI: 1.10-2.71 P = 0.03), and (MD: 2.92 years; CI: 1.29-4.55years; P < 0.01) respectively. Pre-LT CKD was significantly associated with increased mortality (HR 1.38; CI: 1.2-1.59; P < 0.01), post-LT end-stage renal disease and post-LT CKD. Almost a quarter of pre-LT patients have CKD and it is significantly associated with post-operative morbidity and mortality. However, long-term outcomes remain unclear due to a lack of studies reporting such outcomes.

A meta-analysis of the cumulative incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes associated with chronic kidney disease after liver transplantation

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a relatively common complication after liver transplantation (LT), and significantly impacts overall survival. We sought to assess the cumulative incidence, risk factors and mortality associated with post-LT CKD. CKD was defined as eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m² as estimated by the Modified Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Single-arm meta-analysis was done to evaluate the cumulative incidence of CKD at 1-, 3-, and 5-year timepoints post-LT. Risk factors for CKD were evaluated using hazard ratios (HR). Twenty-one studies involving 44 383 patients were included. Cumulative incidence of stage 3-5 CKD was 31.44% (CI 0.182-0.447), 36.71% (CI 0.188-0.546), and 43.52% (CI 0.296-0.574) at 1, 3, and 5 years after LT, respectively. Stage 5 CKD cumulative incidence increased from 0.274% (CI 0.001-0.005) at 1 year to 2.06% (CI 0.009-0.045) at 5 years post-LT. Age, female sex, diabetes, and peri-operative acute kidney injury (AKI) were significant risk factors for CKD. Stage 4-5 CKD was associated with a decrease in overall survival (HR 3.23, 95% CI 1.74-5.98, P < 0.01). CKD after LT is relatively common, and is associated with significantly reduced overall survival. Identification of patients at high risk of developing CKD allows physicians to prophylactically use renal-sparing immunosuppression which may be crucial in achieving desirable clinical outcomes.

Kidney Failure after Liver Transplantation

One-third of patients with cirrhosis present kidney failure (AKI and CKD). It has multifactorial causes and a harmful effect on morbidity and mortality before and after liver transplantation. Kidney function does not improve in all patients after liver transplantation, and liver transplant recipients are at a high risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The causes of renal dysfunction can be divided into three groups: pre-operative, perioperative and post-operative factors. To date, there is no consensus on the modality to evaluate the risk of chronic kidney disease after liver transplantation, or for its prevention. In this narrative review, we describe the outcome of kidney function after liver transplantation, and the prognostic factors of chronic kidney disease in order to establish a risk categorization for each patient. Furthermore, we discuss therapeutic options to prevent kidney dysfunction in this context, and highlight the indications of combined liver–kidney transplantation.

Association Between Trough Level of Tacrolimus and Change in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate 1 Year After Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Background

Although the risk factors for chronic kidney disease progression after deceased donor liver transplantation have been widely reported, there are few reports describing the factors associated with kidney function changes in patients after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). This study aims to further investigate these kidney function change factors.

Material/Methods

This retrospective study was performed using the data of patients who underwent LDLT at the Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan from August 2000 to November 2017. Factors contributing to post-transplantation estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) changes were analyzed.

Results

A total of 191 cases were reviewed. The average age was 53.8 years, and 108 (56.5%) patients were male. Compared to pre-transplantation eGFR levels, eGFR 1 year after LDLT improved in 65 patients (34%) and deteriorated in 126 patients (66%). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that pre-transplant diuretics (P=0.04) and tacrolimus trough value 1 year after transplantation (P=0.04) were significantly associated with elevated eGFR changes. eGFR elevation 1 year after LDLT was more pronounced in patients with a low tacrolimus trough level 1 year after LDLT (P=0.01). Therefore, mycophenolate mofetil was added to tacrolimus in patients with poor renal function before LDLT.

Conclusions

Tacrolimus trough level was associated with eGFR changes 1 year after LDLT. The adjusted dose of tacrolimus and combined use of other immunosuppressants may be important to maintain renal function after LDLT.

Association Between Renal Dysfunction and Major Adverse Cardiac Events After Liver Transplantation: Evidence from an International Randomized Trial of Everolimus-Based Immunosuppression

Background

Prospective evidence is lacking regarding the association between renal dysfunction and cardiovascular events after liver transplantation.

Material/Methods

Data were analyzed post hoc regarding renal function and major adverse cardiac events in a two-year prospective trial of de novo liver transplant recipients randomized at 30 days post-transplant to (i) everolimus [EVR]/reduced tacrolimus [EVR/rTAC] (ii) EVR with tacrolimus discontinued [TAC Elimination] or (iii) standard tacrolimus [TAC Control].

Results

By month 24 post-transplant, 32/716 patients had experienced a first major cardiac event (4.5%): 4.1% (10/245), 2.2% (5/229) and 7.0% (17/242) of patients in the EVR/rTAC, TAC Elimination and TAC Control groups, respectively (p=0.043). The cumulative eGFR area under the curve (AUC) from randomization to month 24 was 119 706, 123 082, and 105 946 mL in the EVR/rTAC, TAC Elimination, and TAC Control groups, respectively, corresponding to a mean eGFR AUC of 82.4, 83.0, and 71.9 mL/min/1.73 m². Cox regression modeling showed that mean eGFR AUC was inversely associated with time to first major cardiac event: the hazard ratio per mL/min/1.73 m² was −0.0000015 [95% CI −0.00000078; −0.0000024] (p<0.001).

Conclusions

These findings confirm retrospective evidence that the risk of major cardiac events increases with deteriorating renal function after liver transplantation and demonstrate the need for careful cardiovascular risk management in patients with renal impairment. Immunosuppression based on everolimus with tacrolimus withdrawal, or to a lesser extent tacrolimus reduction, improves both renal function and the risk of major cardiac events compared to standard tacrolimus therapy in liver transplant recipients.

Influence of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Genetic Polymorphism on Late Renal Dysfunction After Adult-to-adult Living-donor Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Late renal dysfunction (LRD) is known to be one of the most important complications to affect long-term outcome after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion (I)/deletion (D) gene polymorphism and renal function after LDLT are still unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the risk factors for LRD after LDLT, focusing on ACE gene polymorphism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among the 94 recipients who underwent adult-to-adult LDLT between March 2002 and September 2009, the total number of subjects who survived more than 1 year after LDLT and in whom angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype could be measured was 64. LRD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate level less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at any point after 1 year from undergoing LDLT.

RESULTS

LRD was found in 24 patients (37.5%). The incidence of LRD was significantly higher in D/D type than in I/I or I/D type: 85.7% (6/7) vs. 42.1% (8/19), 35.7% (10/38) (P = .010). Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in D/D type than in I/I, I/D types, and postoperatively they were significantly lower in D/D type at 2, 3, and 4 years after LDLT. By multivariate analysis, age and hypertension were the independent risk factors for LRD. The 10-year survival rate was much lower in the recipients with LRD than in those without LRD at 66.7% versus 87.5%, respectively (P = .053).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, age and hypertension were determined as significant independent risk factors for LRD after adult-to-adult LDLT, and the recipients with D/D genotype should be strictly cared for the development of LRD.

Does the development of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury affect the prognosis after living donor liver transplantation?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) have been discussed as complications following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships among CKD, AKI, and the prognosis after LDLT.

METHODS

This study included 118 patients who underwent LDLT in our department. A low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) ) was regarded to indicate CKD. AKI 1 and AKI 2 were characterized by an increase in the serum creatinine level of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/dL, respectively, within one wk after LDLT. We investigated the risk factors for and the relevance of CKD and AKI on the prognosis.

RESULTS

AKI 1 was associated with sepsis and intra-operative bleeding (p = 0.0032, p = 0.001). AKI 2 was associated with sepsis and hepatitis C infection (p < 0.001, p = 0.027). A pre-operative eGFR of 60-89 and diabetes were the risk factors for the development of CKD in POY 2 (p = 0.018, p = 0.002). AKI 2, sepsis, and diabetes were the risk factors for the patient death within one yr after LDLT (p = 0.010, p = 0.002, p = 0.022). AKI 2 and sepsis were the risk factors for death within two yr after LDLT (p = 0.005, p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Recognizing the risk factors and careful management for preventing both AKI and CKD may improve the prognosis of patients following LDLT.

Comparing 10-yr renal outcomes in deceased donor and living donor liver transplants

Few studies have explored whether the type of LT, deceased donor LT (DDLT) or living donor LT (LDLT), impacts long-term renal outcomes. We performed a retrospective analysis of 220 LT recipients at our institution to study their renal outcomes at 10 yr. Exclusion criteria were age ≤ 18 yr, graft survival ≤ 6 months, and multiorgan transplants; 108 DDLTs and 62 LDLTs were eligible. At baseline, DDLTs had a lower eGFR than LDLTs and 10.2% of DDLTs were on dialysis as compared to 0% of LDLTs. At 10 yr, seven DDLT and three LDLT recipients required dialysis or renal transplant (p = 0.75). In recipients with graft survival >6 months, DDLTs had a slower decline in eGFR as compared to LDLTs (p < 0.01). Among LDLTs, the decline in eGFR continued over the entire 10-yr period, whereas among DDLTs, the decline in eGFR slowed significantly after six months (p = 0.01). This difference between the two groups was not seen among patients in the highest quartile of baseline eGFR. Patient survival and graft survival were similar. In conclusion, the incidence of end-stage renal disease was similar in both DDLT and LDLT patients, but LDLT recipients seem to have a more sustained decline in eGFR when compared with DDLT recipients.

Pretransplant urinary proteome analysis does not predict development of chronic kidney disease after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common complication after liver transplantation. Kidney biopsies cannot be easily performed before liver transplantation to predict patients at high risk for CKD. The aim of our study was to determine whether pre-, peri- and post-transplant factors, as well as peptides present in preliver transplant urine samples were associated with loss in kidney function at 6 months post-transplantation using proteome analysis.

METHODS

Eighty patients who underwent a liver transplantation and that had pretransplant glomerular filtration rate (GFR) value of ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m² (MDRD) were included in the study.

RESULTS

GFR decreased significantly after transplantation. At month 6 post-transplantation, 40 patients displayed a CKD, i.e. eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m², while the other 40 patients did not. Although thousands of peptides were identified, none was significantly associated with the development of CKD at 6 months after liver transplantation. Moreover, using a urinary peptidome classifier to detect preexisting CKD, no difference was found in CKD scores between the 2 groups. After analysis of a large number of pre-, peri- and post-transplant parameters, viral hepatitis as a cause for liver transplantation was the sole independent predictive factor for CKD. No difference in peptides with differential urinary abundance between patients who received a graft for virus related liver disease vs. all other causes of liver disease was observed.

CONCLUSION

Urinary peptidome analysis before liver transplantation failed to identify a peptide pattern associated with the development of CKD at 6 months after liver transplantation.

Hypertension and hepatitis C virus infection are strong risk factors for developing late renal dysfunction after living donor liver transplantation: significance of renal biopsy

BACKGROUND

Late renal dysfunction (LRD) after liver transplantation develops due to several factors such as viral hepatitis, calcineurin inhibitor, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The aim of our study was to clarify the risk factors for LRD after living donor liver plantation (LDLT) by using simple criteria for LRD and paying special attention to the significance of renal biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Among the 98 recipients undergoing LDLT between March 2002 and June 2008, there were 77 patients who survived more than 1 year and had been followed at our clinic. LRD was simply defined as a postoperative serum creatinine level of 1.5/L or more at any point in time after 1 year from undergoing LDLT. The perioperative risk factors for developing LRD after LDLT were analyzed by uni- and multivariate analyses, and regardless of serum creatinine level, a renal biopsy was indicated when the patient developed clinical symptoms.

RESULTS

Comparing the risk factors between 22 patients with LRD and 55 without LRD, univariate analysis revealed recipient's age, generation, hypertension, hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody-positive, pretransplantation serum creatinine level, and graft-to-recipient weight ratio to be significant risk factors. By multivariate analysis, HCV and hypertension were selected as independent risk factors. Renal biopsy was indicated in the 4 patients with proteinuria, all of whom were positive for HCV. However, by histologic and/or electron micrographic analyses, only 1 patient was diagnosed with HCV-related membranous proliferative nephritis, 1 with diabetic nephropathy, and 2 with drug (tacrolimus) -induced renal dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Although HCV and hypertension were determined to be independent risk factors for LRD after LDLT, a renal biopsy should be performed when clinical symptoms develop regardless of creatinine levels to provide appropriate treatment.

Importance of donor-recipient age gradient to the prediction of graft outcome after living donor liver transplantation

PURPOSE

Advanced donor age is a well-known risk factor for poor graft function after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). In addition, advanced recipient age has a significant impact because of the high prevalence of comorbidities. We investigated the relationship between donor-recipient age gradient (DRAG) and the posttransplant outcomes in LDLT.

METHODS

We included 821 consecutive adult recipients who underwent LDLT from June 1997 to May 2011. According to the value of DRAG, they were divided into 2 groups: Negative years (the donor was younger than the recipient) and positive years (the donor was older than the recipient). These groups were further divided into subgroups (≤-21, -20 to -1, 0 to 20, and ≥21 years). We collected retrospectively patient characteristics, laboratory results, medical and surgical complications, and graft loss.

RESULTS

The positive DRAG group had higher level of posttransplant alkaline phosphatase, but a lower incidence of biliary complications. The negative DRAG group, particularly DRAG ≤ -21 years was associated with the superior 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year graft survivals. Recipients with DRAG ≥ 21 showed persistently inferior graft survival during the observation period. In cases of young donors, transplants utilizing lower DRAG seen between young donors and older recipients showed more favorable graft survival than that of young-to-young transplants.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that DRAG and a fixed donor age limit could be significant factors to predict graft survival after LDLT. Patients should carefully consider the worse graft survival if the donor is older than the recipient by ≥20.