Modification of Emergency Status in Deceased Donor Liver Allocation: Evidence for Korean Model of End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) System

The Effect of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease 3.0 on Disparities between Patients with and without Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Korea

PURPOSE

The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) 3.0 has recently been suggested for determining liver allocation. We aimed to apply MELD 3.0 to a Korean population and to discover differences between patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is a retrospective study of 2203 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis at Severance Hospital between 2016-2022. Harrell's concordance index was used to validate the ability of MELD scores to predict 90-day survival.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 12.9 months, 90-day survival was 61.9% in all patients, 50.4% in the HCC patients, and 74.8% in the non-HCC patients. Within the HCC patients, the concordance index for patients on the waitlist was 0.653 using MELD, which increased to 0.753 using MELD 3.0. Among waitlisted patients, the 90-day survival of HCC patients was worse than that of non-HCC patients with MELD scores of 31-37 only (69.7% vs. 30.0%, p=0.001). Applying MELD 3.0, the 90-day survival of HCC patients was worse than that of non-HCC patients across a wider range of MELD 3.0 scores, compared to MELD, with MELD 3.0 scores of 21-30 and 31-37 (82.0% vs. 72.5% and 72.3% vs. 24.3%, p=0.02 and p<0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MELD 3.0 predicted 90-day survival of the HCC patients more accurately than original MELD score; however, the disparity between HCC and non-HCC patients increased, particularly in patients with MELD scores of 21-30. Therefore, a novel exception score is needed or the current exception score system should be modified.

Ventilator support in the pretransplant period predisposes early graft failure after deceased donor liver transplantation

Purpose

Deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) recipients in Korea are generally sicker due to an increasing organ shortage. In the present study, the risk factors for early 30-day liver graft failure after DDLT were identified.

Methods

From August 2017 to February 2021, 265 adult DDLTs were performed. The characteristics of patients with and without 30-day graft failure were compared.

Results

Liver graft failure occurred in 11 patients (17.7%) after DDLT. Baseline and perioperative characteristics of donors and recipients were not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups. The cumulative graft and overall survival rates at 6 months were 83.9% and 88.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed ventilator support in the pretransplant period was a predisposing factor for 30-day graft failure after DDLT.

Conclusion

Present study indicates that cautious decision is required when allocating DDLT in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilatory support.

Mortality scoring systems for liver transplant recipients: before and after model for end-stage liver disease score

The mortality scoring systems for patients with end-stage liver disease have evolved from the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score to the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, affecting the wait list for liver allocation. There are inherent weaknesses in the MELD score, with the gradual decline in its accuracy owing to changes in patient demographics or treatment options. Continuous refinement of the MELD score is in progress; however, both advantages and disadvantages exist. Recently, attempts have been made to introduce artificial intelligence into mortality prediction; however, many challenges must still be overcome. More research is needed to improve the accuracy of mortality prediction in liver transplant recipients.

The impact of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score on deceased donor liver transplant outcomes in low volume liver transplantation center: a retrospective and single-center study

PURPOSE

In June 2016, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was employed in South Korea instead of the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score. This study compared the outcomes of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) before and after the MELD system application.

METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed 48 patients who underwent DDLT for end-stage liver disease at a single tertiary referral center between January 2014 and December 2018. The patients were categorized into the pre-MELD (22 patients) and post-MELD (26 patients) groups. The demographics, postoperative outcomes, and overall survival time were evaluated between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

The 2 groups had no differences in age, sex, ABO type, etiology for liver transplantation, CTP-score, operation time, cold ischemic time, and amount of red blood cell transfusion, although their MELD score differed significantly (post-MELD group, 36.2 ± 4.9; pre-MELD group, 27.7 ± 11.8; P < 0.001). The post-MELD group has longer intensive care unit stay (11.2 ± 9.5 days vs. 5.7 ± 4.5 days, P = 0.018) and hospital stay than the pre-MELD group (36.8 ± 26 days vs. 22.8 ± 9.3 days, P = 0.016). The 1-year survival rate was lower in the post-MELD group (61.5% vs. 86.4%, P = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

After MELD allocation, patients with high MELD scores had increased DDLT and consequently required a longer recovery time, which could negatively affect survival. According to the experience of a small-volume center, these problems were related to both severe organ shortages in South Korea and MELD allocation.

Outcome of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis after Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-based allocation system implementation in Korea

Background

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)-based allocation system was implemented in Korea in July 2016 without a mandatory abstinence period for liver transplantation (LT) listing. However, the impact of the allocation policy has not been evaluated in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH).

Methods

A total of 81 consecutive patients with severe AH between January 2014 and December 2018 were analyzed. The clinical course of patients before and after the implementation of the MELD-based allocation system was assessed.

Results

More patients received LT (25%–65%) after the MELD allocation system was implemented. The increase in patients receiving deceased donor LT was dramatic (17%–51%, P=0.001) compared to patients receiving living donor LT (7%–14%, P=0.30). The overall survival was better for those who received LT (88% vs. 44% at 1 year, P<0.001), and after the MELD era (1-year survival rate 80% vs. 50%, P=0.005). Post-LT mortality was observed in six patients, with one case of mortality related to recidivism. Baseline MELD and steroid response were factors associated with transplant-free survival.

Conclusions

After implementation of the MELD-based allocation system, deceased donor LT dramatically increased in patients with severe AH. This translated into increased overall survival, but at a cost of mortality due to recidivism. Urgent evaluation is warranted to identify criteria to justify the use of precious liver grafts from deceased donors for severe AH patients in Korea.

Prognosis of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma after living donor liver transplantation

Background

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare borderline vascular tumor. Due to its rarity and protean behavior, the optimal treatment of hepatic EHE has not yet been standardized. This single-center study describes outcomes in patients with hepatic EHE who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Methods

The medical records of patients who underwent LDLT for hepatic EHE from 2007 to 2016 were reviewed.

Results

During 10-year period, four patients, one man and three women, of mean age 41.3±11.1 years, underwent LDLT for hepatic EHE. Based on imaging modalities, these patients were preoperatively diagnosed with EHE or hepatocellular carcinoma, with percutaneous liver biopsy confirming that all four had hepatic EHE. The tumors were multiple and scattered over entire liver, precluding liver resection. Blood tumor markers were not elevated, except that CA19-9 and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin was slightly elevated in one patient. Mean model for end-stage liver disease score was 10.8±5.7. All patients underwent LDLT using modified right liver grafts, with graft-recipient weight ratio of 1.11±0.19, and all recovered uneventfully after LDLT. One patient died due to tumor recurrence at 9 months, whereas the other three have done well without tumor recurrence, resulting in 5-year disease-free and overall patient survival rates of 75% each. The patient with tumor recurrence was classified as a high-risk patient based on the original and modified hepatic EHE-LT scoring systems.

Conclusions

LDLT can be an effective treatment for patients with unresectable hepatic EHEs that are confined within the liver and absence of macrovascular invasion and lymph node metastasis.

Changes in the allocation policy for deceased donor livers in Korea: perspectives from anesthesiologists

Background

The allocation policy for deceased donor livers in Korea was changed in June 2016 from Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scoring system-based to Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scoring system-based. Thus, it is necessary to review the effect of allocation policy changes on anesthetic management.

Methods

Medical records of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) from December 2014 to May 2017 were reviewed. We compared the perioperative parameters before and after the change in allocation policy.

Results

Thirty-seven patients underwent DDLT from December 2014 to May 2016 (CTP group), and 42 patients underwent DDLT from June 2016 to May 2017 (MELD group). The MELD score was significantly higher in the MELD group than in the CTP group (36.5 ± 4.6 vs. 26.5 ± 9.4, P < 0.001). The incidence of hepatorenal syndrome was higher in the MELD group than in the CTP group (26 vs. 7, P < 0.001). Packed red blood cell transfusion occurred more frequently in the MELD group than in the CTP group (5.0 ± 3.6 units vs. 3.4 ± 2.2 units, P = 0.025). However, intraoperative bleeding, vasopressor support, and postoperative outcomes were not different between the two groups.

Conclusions

Even though the patient’s objective condition deteriorated, perioperative parameters did not change significantly.

[Current Status of Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Liver Disease in Korea in MELD Era]

The organ allocation system should be fair and efficient to predict the prognosis of patients with end-stage organ failure. The liver allocation system in Korea was changed to the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score system from Child-Turcotte-Pugh score-based status system in 2016. Since then, there have been some changes in matching liver graft to recipients in deceased liver transplantation. The severity of sickness of the end-stage liver failure patients has been increased in the MELD era than before. Since 2013, liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease has been gradually increasing in Korea. We should take proper evaluation into consideration when we decide early liver transplantation particularly for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, who have a high MELD score. Above all, overcoming organ shortage, it is necessary for us to try to increase the number of deceased donors to meet the need for liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease patients.

Development of a Korean Liver Allocation System using Model for End Stage Liver Disease Scores: A Nationwide, Multicenter study

The previous Korean liver allocation system was based on Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores, but increasing numbers of deceased donors created a pressing need to develop an equitable, objective allocation system based on model for end-stage liver disease scores (MELD scores). A nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study of candidates registered for liver transplantation from January 2009 to December 2011 was conducted at 11 transplant centers. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to stratify MELD score ranges according to waitlist survival. Of the 2702 patients that registered for liver transplantation, 2248 chronic liver disease patients were eligible. CART analysis indicated several MELD scores significantly predicted waitlist survival. The 90-day waitlist survival rates of patients with MELD scores of 31-40, 21-30, and ≤20 were 16.2%, 64.1%, and 95.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the 14-day waitlist survival rates of severely ill patients (MELD 31-40, n = 240) with MELD scores of 31-37 (n = 140) and 38-40 (n = 100) were 64% and 43.4%, respectively (P = 0.001). Among patients with MELD > 20, presence of HCC did not affect waitlist survival (P = 0.405). Considering the lack of donor organs and geographic disparities in Korea, we proposed the use of a national broader sharing of liver for the sickest patients (MELD ≥ 38) to reduce waitlist mortality. HCC patients with MELD ≤ 20 need additional MELD points to allow them equitable access to transplantation. Based on these results, the Korean Network for Organ Sharing implemented the MELD allocation system in 2016.

Predictors of postoperative infectious complications in liver transplant recipients: experience of 185 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Infections following liver transplant (LT) remain a major cause of mortality. This study was conducted to evaluate risk factors for infection and to review clinical characteristics.

METHODS

Medical records of patients who underwent LT from 2010 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate risk factors of infection. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to predict prognosis of infected and non-infected groups.

RESULTS

Of 185 recipients, 89 patients experienced infectious complications. The median follow-up period was 911 days (range, 9 to 2,031). The infected group had higher 1-year mortality (n = 22 [24.7%] vs. n = 8, [8.3%], p = 0.002), and longer postoperative admission days (mean: 53.7 ± 35.8 days vs. 28.3 ± 13.0 days, p &lt; 0.001), compared to the non-infected group. High preoperative Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (odds ratio [OR], 1.057; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.010 to 1.105; p = 0.016), deceased-donor type (OR, 5.475; 95% CI, 2.442 to 12.279; p &lt; 0.001), and acute rejection (OR, 3.042; 95% CI, 1.241 to 7.454; p = 0.015) were independent risk factors associated with infection. Intra-abdominal infection (n = 35, 20.8%) was the major infectious complication. Among identified bacteria, Enterococcus species (28.4%) were major pathogens, followed by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species.

CONCLUSIONS

High preoperative MELD score, deceased-donor type, and acute rejection were risk factors associated with infection. To prevent infections following surgery, it is important to determine the appropriate time of operation before the recipient has a high MELD score.