Rare case of severe cholangiopathy following critical illness

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) 2022 Expert Consensus Document: The use of mechanical circulatory support in lung transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in lung transplantation has been steadily increasing over the prior decade, with evolving strategies for incorporating support in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings. There is significant practice variability in the use of these techniques, however, and relatively limited data to help establish institutional protocols. The objective of the AATS Clinical Practice Standards Committee (CPSC) expert panel was to review the existing literature and establish recommendations about the use of MCS before, during, and after lung transplantation.

METHODS

The AATS CPSC assembled an expert panel of 16 lung transplantation physicians who developed a consensus document of recommendations. The panel was broken into subgroups focused on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative support, and each subgroup performed a focused literature review. These subgroups formulated recommendation statements for each subtopic, which were evaluated by the entire group. The statements were then developed via discussion among the panel and refined until consensus was achieved on each statement.

RESULTS

The expert panel achieved consensus on 36 recommendations for how and when to use MCS in lung transplantation. These recommendations included the use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridging strategy in the preoperative setting, a preference for central veno-arterial ECMO over traditional cardiopulmonary bypass during the transplantation procedure, and the benefit of supporting selected patients with MCS postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Achieving optimal results in lung transplantation requires the use of a wide range of strategies. MCS provides an important mechanism for helping these critically ill patients through the peritransplantation period. Despite the complex nature of the decision making process in the treatment of these patients, the expert panel was able to achieve consensus on 36 recommendations. These recommendations should provide guidance for professionals involved in the care of end-stage lung disease patients considered for transplantation.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase is a strong predictor of secondary sclerosing cholangitis after lung transplantation for COVID-19 ARDS

BACKGROUND

Lung transplantation (LTx) can be considered for selected patients suffering from COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill (SSC-CIP) patients has been described as a late complication in COVID-19 ARDS survivors, however, rates of SSC-CIP after LTx and factors predicting this detrimental sequela are unknown.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included all LTx performed for post-COVID ARDS at 8 European LTx centers between May 2020 and January 2022. Clinical risk factors for SSC-CIP were analyzed over time. Prediction of SSC-CIP was assessed by ROC-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients were included in the analysis. Fifteen patients (37.5%) developed SSC-CIP. GGT at the time of listing was significantly higher in patients who developed SSC-CIP (median 661 (IQR 324-871) vs 186 (109-346); p = 0.001). Moreover, higher peak values for GGT (585 vs 128.4; p < 0.001) and ALP (325 vs 160.2; p = 0.015) were found in the 'SSC' group during the waiting period. Both, GGT at the time of listing and peak GGT during the waiting time, could predict SSC-CIP with an AUC of 0.797 (95% CI: 0.647-0.947) and 0.851 (95% CI: 0.707-0.995). Survival of 'SSC' patients was severely impaired compared to 'no SSC' patients (1-year: 46.7% vs 90.2%, log-rank p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

SSC-CIP is a severe late complication after LTx for COVID-19 ARDS leading to significant morbidity and mortality. GGT appears to be a sensitive parameter able to predict SSC-CIP even at the time of listing.

Lung Transplantation for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

In this review, we discuss the outcomes of patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We discuss evidence that suggests that a significant proportion of patients with ARDS develop end-stage lung disease and die of pulmonary complications. In carefully selected patients with permanent lung damage, lung transplant can be a life-saving treatment.

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute respiratory distress in polytrauma

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis is a recently identified phenomenon affecting the biliary tree. A subtype has been described in critically ill patients (SSC-CIP). However, underlying mechanisms are unknown, and few cases have been reported following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We present a 19-year-old male with SSC-CIP after ECMO following major trauma.

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in cardiac surgical patients: A complication with a dismal prognosis

OBJECTIVES

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients is a rapidly progressing disease leading to biliary fibrosis and cirrhosis. We describe the course of sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients after cardiac surgery and compare this with matched patients.

METHODS

A retrospective search for "secondary sclerosing cholangitis" and "liver and/or hepatic failure" in all adult patients (aged 18-93 years) who underwent cardiac surgery from April 2007 to March 2016 identified 192 of 8625 patients. Of those, 12 were diagnosed with sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (incidence, 0.14%). A 3:1 matching was performed. Laboratory values, pharmacologic requirements, ventilation times, mechanical circulatory support, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography studies were extracted from the hospital database.

RESULTS

A total of 9 men and 3 women were affected (age 71 years; range, 59.8-75.5 years). Critically ill patients with sclerosing cholangitis required vasoconstrictors and inotropes longer than control patients (norepinephrine 356.5 hours [264.5-621] vs 68 hours [15-132.5], P = .003; enoximone 177 hours [124.3-249.5] vs 48.5 hours [12-81 hours], P < .001, respectively). Critically ill patients with sclerosing cholangitis had longer intubation time (628.5 hours [377.3-883] vs 25 hours [9.8-117.5]; P < .001) and more surgical revisions (3 [2.5-6] vs 1 [0-2], P = .003) than the matching group. Bilirubin (23.3 mg/dL [14.4-32.9] vs 1 mg/dL [0.6-2.7]; P < .001), gamma-glutamyltransferase (1082.3 U/L [259.5-2265.7] vs 53.8 U/L [35.1-146]; P < .001), and alkaline phosphatase (751.5 U/L [372-1722.3] vs 80.5 U/L [53.3-122]; P < .001) were higher in critically ill patients with sclerosing cholangitis. One critically ill patient with sclerosing cholangitis underwent successful liver transplantation. A total of 11 patients sclerosing cholangitis died (92%) versus 12 patients (33%, P < .001) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients is a fatal complication in patients undergoing cardiac surgery who have a complicated postoperative course with prolonged vasoconstrictor, inotropic, and respiratory therapy, or who require frequent surgical revisions. Liver transplantation remains the only curative option but is often precluded by the age and critical state of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Forsaken Foregut: Case Report of Simultaneous Black Esophagus and Ischemic Cholangiopathy

Black esophagus or acute esophageal necrosis rarely occurs after severe hemodynamic compromise or low-flow states. Other contributing factors may include corrosive injury from gastric contents and diminished mucosal repair mechanisms. Ischemic cholangitis, another rare clinical entity, is also usually the result of a significant vascular and/or hypotensive insult to the biliary tree. We describe the first case of combined acute esophageal necrosis and ischemic cholangiopathy in a 62-year-old male who completely recovered from the esophageal injury but developed progressive liver failure from ischemic cholangiopathy.

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in a critically ill patient

Critically ill patients are commonly imaged for liver dysfunction. An often fatal condition, secondary sclerosing cholangitis, is an important and likely under-recognized hepatic condition in these patients. In presenting this case report, we hope to raise awareness of this condition amongst radiologists as well as other physicians caring for the critically ill.