What liver transplant outcomes can be expected in the uninsured who become insured via the Affordable Care Act?

Our study objective is to measure the survival impact of insurance status following liver transplantation in a cohort of uninsured "charity care" patients. These patients are analogous to the population who will gain insurance via the Affordable Care Act. We hypothesize there will be reduced survival in charity care compared to other insurance strata. We conducted a retrospective study of 898 liver transplants from 2000 to 2010. Insurance cohorts were classified as private (n = 640), public (n = 233) and charity care (n = 23). The 1, 3 and 5-year survival was 92%, 88% and 83% in private insurance, 89%, 80% and 73% in public insurance and 83%, 72% and 51% in charity care. Compared to private insurance, multivariable regression analyses demonstrated charity care (HR 3.11, CI 1.41-6.86) and public insurance (HR 1.58, CI 1.06-2.34) had a higher 5-year mortality hazard ratio. In contrast, other measures of socioeconomic status were not significantly associated with increased mortality. The charity care cohort demonstrated the highest incidence of acute rejection and missed clinic appointments. These data suggest factors other than demographic and socioeconomic may be associated with increased mortality. Further investigations are necessary to determine causative predictors of increased mortality in liver transplant patients without private insurance.

Radiofrequency ablation for unresectable tumors of the liver

Surgical resection of primary or metastatic tumors of the liver offers patients the best long-term survival. Liver resections may not be appropriate in patients with bilobar metastases, liver dysfunction, or severe comorbidities. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a technique used to destroy unresectable hepatic tumors through thermocoagulation. We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients undergoing RFA with unresectable hepatic tumors for local recurrence and overall survival. Under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol, all patients treated with RFA at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from September 1, 1998, to June 15, 2005, were identified. During this time period, 189 lesions in 107 patients were treated with RFA. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed. Data is presented as mean +/- SEM. Significance is defined as P < 0.05. Patient demographics revealed 62 per cent males and 38 per cent females with a mean age of 59 (+/- 1) years. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represented 54 per cent of the tumors treated. Metastatic colorectal cancer represented 22 per cent and the remaining 24 per cent were other metastatic tumors. Overall recurrence rates for all tumors after RFA was 53 per cent. Local recurrence rates for HCC, colorectal cancer, and other metastatic lesions were 27.6 per cent, 29.1 per cent, and 52 per cent, respectively. The morbidity rate for the procedure was 11 per cent. There was one mortality (0.9%) related to RFA. Laparoscopic RFA for HCC in Childs-Pugh Class C cirrhotics (n = 6) resulted in 50 per cent of patients being transplanted with no evidence of disease at a mean follow-up period of 14 months. RFA is a safe and effective way for treating HCC and other unresectable tumors in the liver that are not eligible for hepatic resection. More effective control of systemic recurrence will dictate survival in the majority of patients with metastatic cancers. Local ablation for HCC in cirrhotic patients may be an effective bridge to transplantation. Liver transplantation may still be the most effective long-term treatment for localized HCC.

Radiofrequency Ablation for Unresectable Tumors of the Liver

Surgical resection of primary or metastatic tumors of the liver offers patients the best long-term survival. Liver resections may not be appropriate in patients with bilobar metastases, liver dysfunction, or severe comorbidities. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a technique used to destroy unresectable hepatic tumors through thermocoagulation. We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients undergoing RFA with unresectable hepatic tumors for local recurrence and overall survival. Under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol, all patients treated with RFA at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from September 1, 1998, to June 15, 2005, were identified. During this time period, 189 lesions in 107 patients were treated with RFA. Patients’ charts were retrospectively reviewed. Data is presented as mean ± SEM. Significance is defined as P < 0.05. Patient demographics revealed 62 per cent males and 38 per cent females with a mean age of 59 (±1) years. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represented 54 per cent of the tumors treated. Metastatic colorectal cancer represented 22 per cent and the remaining 24 per cent were other metastatic tumors. Overall recurrence rates for all tumors after RFA was 53 per cent. Local recurrence rates for HCC, colorectal cancer, and other metastatic lesions were 27.6 per cent, 29.1 per cent, and 52 per cent, respectively. The morbidity rate for the procedure was 11 per cent. There was one mortality (0.9%) related to RFA. Laparoscopic RFA for HCC in Childs-Pugh Class C cirrhotics (n = 6) resulted in 50 per cent of patients being transplanted with no evidence of disease at a mean follow-up period of 14 months. RFA is a safe and effective way for treating HCC and other unresectable tumors in the liver that are not eligible for hepatic resection. More effective control of systemic recurrence will dictate survival in the majority of patients with metastatic cancers. Local ablation for HCC in cirrhotic patients may be an effective bridge to transplantation. Liver transplantation may still be the most effective long-term treatment for localized HCC.

17beta-estradiol differentially activates mitogen-activated protein-kinases and improves survival following reperfusion injury of reduced-size liver in mice

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R-I), which is unavoidable in liver transplantation, impairs liver regeneration and predisposes to liver failure. The three major mitogen-activated protein-kinases (MAPKs): ERK, p38, and JNK, are critical in the transmission of signals triggered by proinflammatory cytokines, by stress, and by growth factors. JNK and p38alpha activation have been associated with apoptosis; p38beta with cell survival; and ERK with proliferation. Previous studies have demonstrated gender dimorphism in hepatocellular dysfunction after experimental trauma and hemorrhage. Female mice are protected to a much greater extent from I/R-I than male mice. We assessed the effects of 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E) on liver function, host survival, and cellular activation of MAPK in a murine model of I/R-I in reduced-size livers. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 45 minutes of warm ischemia (70% of the liver mass). After reperfusion, the nonischemic lobes were excised. Vehicle, 17beta-E or the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI-182780, was delivered 1 hour before the injury. We evaluated AST and apoptosis as well as activation of JNK, p38, and ERK. Female mice showed a lower level of hepatocellular injury (AST = 445 +/- 82 IU/L) after I/R-I compared with male mice (AST = 1400 +/- 210). 17beta-E decreased the liver injury in male mice (AST = 522 +/- 77), an effect that was partially reversed by ICI-182,780 (910 +/- 92). A higher rate of apoptosis was observed in male animals given saline (enrichment factor = 7.22 +/- 0.8) versus those treated with 17beta-E (5.85 +/- 0.3, P < .05). A significant increase in liver regeneration, as assessed by the percentage of liver weight/body weight was demonstrated in females (184% +/- 24%) and male mice given 17beta-E (168% +/- 22%) compared with male mice given vehicle (9% +/- 4%). 17beta-E significantly down-regulated JNK and p38alpha activities, whereas I/R-I promoted p38beta and ERK activation. These results suggest that the cytoprotective effects of 17beta-E on I/R-I to reduced-size livers are associated with selective modulation of MAPK kinases.

Radio-frequency ablation in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Current surgical treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) include radio-frequency ablation (RFA), resection, and orthotropic liver transplant (OLT). RFA is particularly attractive in these high-risk patients because surgery is associated with high mortality and there is a relative scarcity of organs available for those in need of transplants. This study was performed to evaluate the management of cirrhotic patients with HCC undergoing RFA at a single Western institution. A retrospective study from March 1999 to June 2002 was performed to evaluate the clinicopathologic and treatment-related variables in cirrhotic patients with HCC. Forty-nine lesions in 26 patients with HCC and cirrhosis underwent RFA. Data was analyzed for safety and overall survival as the main endpoints. The mean age was 60.4 +/- 11 years, 19 patients were male, 5 had hepatitis B virus, and 19 had hepatitis C virus. The Child classification was 26 per cent, 39 per cent, and 35 per cent for A, B, and C; the number of lesions was 1 in 62 per cent, 2 in 23 per cent, and more than 2 in 15 per cent. The approach was laparoscopic in 58 per cent, percutaneous in 15 per cent, and open in 27 per cent. There were no mortalities and only 1 complication. Average hospital stay was 2.7 +/- 2 days. Subsequent to RFA, 9 patients underwent an OLT within a median of 4.1 months. The median follow-up of the whole group was 13 months and the disease-free survival 9.3 months. Tumor recurrence was identified in 3 previously ablated lesions, nonablated liver in 11, and as pulmonary metastases in 3. Overall survival (P = 0.03) was prolonged for those treated with RFA + OLT over RFA alone. We conclude that RFA is a safe ablative technique in high-risk cirrhotic patients with HCC. This technique may provide a bridge to OLT; however, it remains to be proven whether it prolongs survival in those who do not undergo OLT.

Multimodality treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of prognostic factors in a single Western institution series

There are few Western studies evaluating prognostic factors for survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the influence on survival of various therapeutic options including orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). A retrospective analysis was performed of 122 patients with HCC treated at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from January 1990 through December 1999. Clinicopathologic and treatment factors were analyzed with overall survival as the main outcome variable. Median age was 62 years. Most patients were male (74%) and white (79%). Eighty patients (66%) had associated cirrhosis. Sixty-three percent of patients presented with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage III or IV tumors. The median follow-up for survivors was 22 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival rates for the entire cohort were 46%, 24%, and 17%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, ablative surgery (P = 0.003), AJCC stages I and II (P = 0.0012), and absence of vascular invasion (P = 0.0001) were found to be independent favorable characteristics. Forty-four patients underwent surgical resection (including OLT, n = 20) or a surgical ablative procedure. All but two nonsurgical patients died of disease. The actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for this group were 80%, 71%, and 61%, respectively. On multivariate analysis of the surgical group, only vascular invasion was associated with poor prognosis (P = 0.001). OLT was associated with a favorable prognosis on univariate analysis (P = 0.02). Forty percent of patients who received transplants underwent local/regional treatment before transplantation and the outcome in these patients was no different from that in other transplant patients. Surgical treatment is the only potential curative option for HCC, and qualifying for liver transplantation may be a favorable prognostic factor in surgical patients. Local/regional therapy prior to transplantation may provide a bridge to OLT without an increase in tumor-related mortality.

Gene transfer of the Bcl-2 gene confers cytoprotection to isolated adult porcine pancreatic islets exposed to xenoreactive antibodies and complement

BACKGROUND

Exposing adult porcine pancreatic islets (PI) to xenoreactive natural antibodies (XNA) induces brisk inflammatory injury that involves activation of the complement system. Gene transfer of Bcl-2 has been shown to protect PI from apoptosis and necrosis in several models. In this study, we investigated the effect of Bcl-2 gene transfer on protection of PI from primate XNA and complement-mediated injury.

METHODS

The PI were isolated from adult female sows. Only islet preparations that exhibited >90% viability and purity were used. Fresh rhesus monkey serum served as the XNA source. Gene transfer of Bcl-2 was achieved with an adenoviral vector (AdBcl-2) at 500 particle forming units (pfu)/cell. The Bcl-2 expression was confirmed by Western blot technique. Untransfected and transfected PI were incubated in 50% fresh complete serum (CS) or heat-inactivated (HI) rhesus serum for 24 hours. The PI viability was analyzed with acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining. Antibody and complement-mediated cytotoxicity were tested by intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The PI function was assessed in vitro by static incubation studies and in vivo after intraportal transplantation in diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice.

RESULTS

The AdBcl-2 gene transfer resulted in Bcl-2 gene expression in >90% of PI cells. Following exposure to XNA, <15% of the untransfected cells were viable. Similar results were obtained in PI transfected with a similar recombinant adenovirus encoding the reporter gene E coli beta-galactosidase (AdLacZ), an irrelevant gene. A significant increase in LDH release was observed in control PI after exposure to CS compared with PI that overexpressed Bcl-2 (82.89% +/- 7.78% vs 34.31% +/- 5.4%, P <.005). Higher insulin release was observed in vitro in PI transfected with Bcl-2 compared with untransfected PI or islets transfected with AdLacZ (stimulation index of 0.9 +/- 0.31, 0.9 +/- 0.3 vs 2.67 +/- 0.4, respectively). Only PI treated with AdBcl-2 were able to achieve euglycemia after exposure to XNA and complement after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Transfer of the antiapoptotic and antinecrotic Bcl-2 gene into PI can reduce primate XNA and complement-mediated lysis. Cytoprotection of PI with Bcl-2 has potential to improve survival of PI xenotransplants.

Gene transfer of the Bcl-2 gene confers cytoprotection to isolated adult porcine pancreatic islets exposed to xenoreactive antibodies and complement

BACKGROUND

Exposing adult porcine pancreatic islets (PI) to xenoreactive natural antibodies (XNA) induces brisk inflammatory injury that involves activation of the complement system. Gene transfer of Bcl-2 has been shown to protect PI from apoptosis and necrosis in several models. In this study, we investigated the effect of Bcl-2 gene transfer on protection of PI from primate XNA and complement-mediated injury.

METHODS

The PI were isolated from adult female sows. Only islet preparations that exhibited >90% viability and purity were used. Fresh rhesus monkey serum served as the XNA source. Gene transfer of Bcl-2 was achieved with an adenoviral vector (AdBcl-2) at 500 particle forming units (pfu)/cell. The Bcl-2 expression was confirmed by Western blot technique. Untransfected and transfected PI were incubated in 50% fresh complete serum (CS) or heat-inactivated (HI) rhesus serum for 24 hours. The PI viability was analyzed with acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining. Antibody and complement-mediated cytotoxicity were tested by intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The PI function was assessed in vitro by static incubation studies and in vivo after intraportal transplantation in diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice.

RESULTS

The AdBcl-2 gene transfer resulted in Bcl-2 gene expression in >90% of PI cells. Following exposure to XNA, <15% of the untransfected cells were viable. Similar results were obtained in PI transfected with a similar recombinant adenovirus encoding the reporter gene E coli beta-galactosidase (AdLacZ), an irrelevant gene. A significant increase in LDH release was observed in control PI after exposure to CS compared with PI that overexpressed Bcl-2 (82.89% +/- 7.78% vs 34.31% +/- 5.4%, P <.005). Higher insulin release was observed in vitro in PI transfected with Bcl-2 compared with untransfected PI or islets transfected with AdLacZ (stimulation index of 0.9 +/- 0.31, 0.9 +/- 0.3 vs 2.67 +/- 0.4, respectively). Only PI treated with AdBcl-2 were able to achieve euglycemia after exposure to XNA and complement after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Transfer of the antiapoptotic and antinecrotic Bcl-2 gene into PI can reduce primate XNA and complement-mediated lysis. Cytoprotection of PI with Bcl-2 has potential to improve survival of PI xenotransplants.

Successful reversal of streptozotocin-induced diabetes with stable allogeneic islet function in a preclinical model of type 1 diabetes

The recent focus on islet transplantation as primary therapy for type 1 diabetes has heightened interest in the reversal of type 1 diabetes in preclinical models using minimal immunosuppression. Here, we demonstrated in a preclinical rhesus model a consistent reversal of all measured glycemic patterns of streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes. The model used single-donor islet transplantation with induction of operational tolerance. The term "operational tolerance" is used to indicate durable survival of single-donor major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched islet allografts without maintenance immunosuppressive therapy and without rejection or loss of functional islet mass or insulin secretory reserve. In this operational tolerance model, all immunosuppression was discontinued after day 14 posttransplant, and recipients recovered with excellent health. The operational tolerance induction protocol combined peritransplant anti-CD3 immunotoxin to deplete T-cells and 15-deoxyspergualin to arrest proinflammatory cytokine production and maturation of dendritic cells. T-cell deficiency was specific but temporary, in that T-cell-dependent responses in long-term survivors recovered to normal, and there was no evidence of increased susceptibility to infection. Anti-donor mixed lymphocyte reaction responses were positive in the long-term survivors, but all showed clear evidence of systemic T-helper 2 deviation, suggesting that an immunoregulatory rather than a deletional process underlies this operational tolerance model. This study provides the first evidence that operational tolerance can protect MHC nonhuman primate islets from rejection as well as loss of functional islet mass. Such an approach has potential to optimize individual recipient recovery from diabetes as well as permitting more widespread islet transplantation with the limited supply of donor islets.

Clinical experience with human anodal trypsinogen (HAT) for detection of pancreatic allograft rejection

To date one of the major dilemmas in clinical pancreas transplantation is the lack of a reliable indicator for pancreas rejection. In a consecutive series of 52 patients undergoing simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplantation with bladder drainage technique between October 1991 and December 1992 a new test using serial levels of serum human anodal trypsinogen (HAT) was evaluated for its efficacy to detect pancreas rejection. Postoperative baseline levels of HAT were compared to peak HAT values at time of rejection. HAT profiles at time of rejection were calculated and compared to profiles of urinary amylase, serum amylase, fasting blood sugar and serum creatinine. In this series one year patient survival was 97%, graft survival of the pancreas 86% and of the kidney 90%. In 71% of the patients at least one rejection episode occurred. At time of kidney-biopsy proven rejection with a concurrent serum creatinine rise a significant HAT level rise to more than 1000 ng/ml was observed from baseline levels of 200 ng/ml (P < 0.001) indicating kidney and pancreas rejection (73%). Urinary amylase levels decreased in the majority of rejection episodes at the same time from baseline levels to less than 20,000 U/l. In 25% of the rejection episodes a significant serum creatinine rise was observed without a HAT rise or urinary amylase decrease indicating kidney-only rejection, while in 2% a urinary amylase decrease and simultaneous HAT also was observed with a negative kidney biopsy indicating pancreas-only rejection. We feel that increase in HAT levels significantly correlates with pancreas rejection. After SPK, determination of HAT is an additional helpful non-invasive test. In pancreas transplantation alone HAT can be a useful indicator to detect rejection and facilitate timing of a pancreas biopsy and initiation of antirejection treatment.

Combined cardiac surgery and liver transplantation

During evaluation for liver transplantation, a 63-year-old man with cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis (aortic valve area, 0.87 cm(2)) and coronary artery disease. A combined procedure involving aortic valve replacement (pericardial xenograft), coronary artery bypass surgery, and orthotopic liver transplantation was performed. Convalescence was uneventful, and at 2 years after the procedure, the patient has normal cardiac function, good prosthetic valve function, and biochemically normal liver function.

Improved outcomes in cadaveric renal allografts with pulsatile preservation

BACKGROUND

Early immunologic and non-immunologic injury of renal allografts adversely affects long-term graft survival. Some degree of preservation injury is inevitable in cadaveric renal transplantation, and, with the reduction in early acute rejection, this non-immunologic injury has assumed a greater relative importance. Optimal graft preservation will maximize the chances of early graft function and long-term graft survival, but the best method of preservation pulsatile perfusion (PP) versus cold storage (CS) is debated.

METHODS

Primary cadaveric kidney recipients from January 1990 through December 1995 were evaluated. The effects of implantation warm ischemic time (WIT) ( < or = 20 min, 21-40 min, or > 40 min) and total ischemic time (TIT) ( < or > or = 20 h) on death-censored graft survival were compared between kidneys preserved by PP versus those preserved by CS. The effect of preservation method on delayed graft function (DGF) was also examined.

RESULTS

There were 568 PP kidneys and 268 CS kidneys. Overall death-censored graft survival was not significantly different between groups, despite worse donor and recipient characteristics in the PP group. CS kidneys with an implantation WIT > 40 min had worse graft survival than those with < 40 min (p = 0.0004). Survival of PP kidneys and those transplanted into 2 DR-matched recipients was not affected by longer implantation WIT. Longer TIT did not impact survival. DGF was more likely after CS preservation (20.2% versus 8.8%, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Preservation with PP improves early graft function and lessens the adverse effect of increased warm ischemia in cadaveric renal transplantation. This method is likely associated with less preservation injury and/or increases the threshold for injury from other sources and is superior to CS.

Experience with renal transplantation in the nonhuman primate: a modified ureteroneocystostomy to prevent urologic complications

Nonhuman primates provide an optimal model for the evaluation of tolerance in the preclinical setting. Transplantation and management of nonhuman primates are technically demanding, and the purpose of this article is to review our extensive experience in renal transplantation in non-human primates, with particular emphasis on modifications of surgical techniques on urologic complications. We retrospectively reviewed our results with 329 renal transplants in rhesus monkeys over an 18-year period. The surgical technique and, in particular, the ureteroneocystostomy have evolved over this period of time. This review extensively details our current technique, the surgical and urologic complications, and their management. There were 329 renal transplants performed. There were 85 early deaths, or animals euthanized, within 30 days of the transplant operation. In the first 15 years, there were 27 (10.68%) surgical complications that required euthanasia, and in the last 3 years the complication rate has been reduced to 5 (7.3%, p < .05). The routine use of microsurgical techniques has reduced the incidence of arterial thrombosis (6.2% vs. 2.9%, p < .05). The incidence of ureteral strictures (15 vs. 0, p < .005) has been reduced by a modification of the ureteroneocystostomy technique detailed in the text. Renal transplantation in small rhesus monkeys is technically demanding. The routine use of microsurgical techniques and a modified ureteroneocystostomy has reduced the incidence of surgical complications.

Durable donor-specific T and B cell tolerance in rhesus macaques induced with peritransplantation anti-CD3 immunotoxin and deoxyspergualin: absence of chronic allograft nephropathy

Tolerance induction can prevent acute kidney allograft rejection without chronic immunosuppression. It is uncertain whether specific tolerance can prevent chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN), which involves both nonimmune and immune injury. This report provides evidence that immunologically tolerant macaques, induced with immunotoxin and deoxyspergualin, developed neither acute rejection nor CAN. Long survivors, bearing MHC-mismatched grafts without chronic immunosuppression for 0.8 to 3.4 years, exhibited general immune competence with donor-specific T and B cell tolerance and no functional or histological evidence of CAN. Stringent criteria for tolerance were satisfied by specific prolongation of donor skin grafts with rapid rejection of third-party skin, followed by indefinite acceptance of a second donor kidney graft and establishment of microchimerism. Primate tolerance with documented absence of CAN may give impetus to the clinical application of tolerance.

The safety and efficacy of a two-dose daclizumab (zenapax) induction therapy in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Induction therapy with daclizumab has been shown to be efficacious in the prevention of acute rejection in kidney transplant patients. The routine use of antibody induction therapy in liver transplantation has not gained widespread acceptance, except in the cases of renal insufficiency. The recent approval of daclizumab prompted us to initiate this pilot study using induction therapy in those patients at risk for developing posttransplant renal insufficiency.

METHODS

This nonrandomized study examined the use of daclizumab in 39 of the last 97 liver transplants performed at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. The daclizumab group received 2 mg/kg intravenously before organ engraftment, and 38 of the 39 received 1 mg/kg intravenously on postoperative day 5. The control group consisted of the remaining 58 contemporary patients. Additional immunosuppression consisted of steroids, tacrolimus, or microemulsion cyclosporine in all patients and mycophenolate mofetil in selected patients.

RESULTS

Pretransplant demographics were not significantly different between the groups. In the induction group there were significantly fewer males, 14 (36%) vs. 34 (59%) (P=0.03). They had greater renal insufficiency at the time of transplant, serum creatine 1.9+/-0.37 mg/dl vs. 0.8+/-0.5; P=0.0009, and more patients were at higher acuity (status 1 and 2A): 12 (31%) vs. 3 (5%) P=0.0006 than in the noninduction group. By postoperative day 7, renal function improved in the induction group such that it was not significantly different from the noninduction group and remained similar throughout the rest of the follow-up. The induction group also experienced significantly less acute rejection, 7 (18%) vs. 23 (40%) (P=0.02) than in the noninduction group in the first 6 months. The 1-, 3-, and 6-month patient survival rates were similar in the induction group, 97.4%, 97.4%, and 97.4%, vs. non-induction 94.8%, 93.0%, and 93% (P=NS). The incidence of cytomegalovirus, in the first 6 months, in the induction group was four (10%) vs. five (9%) (P=NS) in the noninduction group.

CONCLUSION

In the pilot study, induction therapy with daclizumab was safe, facilitated improvement in renal function, and appeared to reduce the incidence of acute rejection. Combination therapy with daclizumab may be an important adjunct in immunosuppressive strategies for liver transplant recipients.

Liver transplantation in the era of cost constraints

BACKGROUND

The issue of containing cost has had a significant impact on organ transplantation. After our institution's 500th liver transplant, we critically examined the impact of the changing health care environment on liver transplantation.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 500 consecutive liver transplants done in the period of 1989 to 1998.

RESULTS

Comparing the first 100 liver transplants to the last 100, patient demographics did not change significantly; however, mean waiting times increased significantly, from 30.4 days to 146.7 days, and median hospital stay decreased from 20.2 days to 10.9 days. One-year patient and graft survivals were not significantly different, 93.6% versus 96.5% and 88.0% versus 95.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite transplants in patients at higher risk and discharging patients sooner after transplantation, surgical results and patient survivals remained excellent. This was accomplished through improvements and modification of immunosuppression, outpatient treatment of uncomplicated acute rejection, and emphasis on close outpatient follow-up.

Long-term functional islet mass and metabolic function after xenoislet transplantation in primates

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic islet transplantation (PIT) is an attractive alternative for patients with type I diabetes mellitus. PIT is not yet an effective clinical reality due in part to the high incidence of rejection and early loss of functional islet mass. In addition, current immunosuppressive drugs have toxic effects on islets and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. In the present study, the effects of PIT on glycemic parameters were assessed in spontaneously diabetic primates.

METHODS

Five insulinopenic nonhuman primates (three Macacca fascicularis, one Ceropithecus aethiops, and one Macacca mulatta) were studied. All required twice-daily treatment with 4-10 U of insulin. For immunosuppression, the animals received anti-CD3-immunotoxin (100 microg/kg(initially infused 2 hr before transplantation and again on day +1), cyclosporine (CsA) (20 mg/kg(i.v./2 hr before transplantation), cyclosporine microemulsion (Neoral) 60 mg/kg/b.i.d. on days +1 to +3 with dose adjusted by blood levels, and methylprednisolone (15 mg/kg day 0 to +3). Three recipients were given islets from a single donor (M mulatta). The islets were prepared by a semiautomated technique using Liberase. A mean of 13,136 islet equivalents/kg was infused into the portal vein. Two animals (M fascicularis and M mulatta) were used as a diabetic, nontransplanted control. Several metabolic parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS

All monkeys that underwent transplantation experienced reversal of diabetes mellitus with normalization of all diabetic glycemic parameters. In the nontransplanted primates given the same immunosuppression but no PIT, diabetic metabolic parameters were unchanged after 9 months of follow-up. In contrast, all three PIT recipients established fasting and nonfasting euglycemia within 1-2 weeks, and none required exogenous insulin after day 10. Normal intravenous glucose tolerance tests were observed at day 15, and no significant differences in the glucose disappearance rate (Kg) were observed at days 15, 45, 190, and 365 days after transplantation. The acute insulin response to glucose indicated no significant reduction of functional islet mass.

CONCLUSIONS

PIT in severely insulinopenic type I diabetes mellitus primates resulted in restoration of normal glycemic parameters and durable islet mass. Operational tolerance was achieved with only 4 days of drug administration, sparing the animals from chronic exposure to potentially diabetogenic immunosuppressive drugs. These results offer an exciting new potential for type I diabetes mellitus treatment.

Role of ERCP in asymptomatic orthotopic liver transplant patients with abnormal liver enzymes

OBJECTIVE

The safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the evaluation and management of biliary tract complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) have been previously demonstrated. However, the role of ERCP in evaluating asymptomatic OLT patients with abnormal liver enzymes with a previously normal biliary tree remains poorly defined. We sought to assess the utility of ERCP in this subset of patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of-asymptomatic OLT patients with abnormal liver enzymes evaluated by ERCP was undertaken. In addition to ERCP, all these patients had a diagnostic abdominal Doppler ultrasound, and a percutaneous liver biopsy. All patients had choledochocholedochostomy at the time of transplant and normal T-tube cholangiograms 3 months postoperatively. A radiologist, blinded to clinical findings, interpreted the ultrasound as normal, biliary dilation, or vascular abnormalities. The same radiologist interpreted ERCP findings. A pathologist, blinded to clinical findings, graded liver biopsies as normal, diagnostic, or abnormal but nondiagnostic.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients underwent 23 ERCPs. Twenty-two of the 23 ERCPs were normal (96%), and one abnormal ERCP finding did not explain the liver enzyme abnormality. Liver biopsy was diagnostic in 13 of 22 (57%) and in each case the ERCP was normal. The remaining 10 liver biopsies were abnormal but nondiagnostic. Ultrasound was abnormal in five of 22 cases, but in the three cases suggesting biliary dilation, the ERCP was interpreted as normal.

CONCLUSION

Routine use of ERCP in evaluation of asymptomatic OLT patients with liver function test abnormalities and normal cholangiograms at 3 months was not diagnostically useful. In this subset of patients, liver biopsy was usually abnormal and frequently diagnostic and should be the initial invasive diagnostic procedure.

Peritransplant tolerance induction in macaques: early events reflecting the unique synergy between immunotoxin and deoxyspergualin

BACKGROUND

Day of transplant T cell depletion with anti-CD3 immunotoxin or F(Ab)2 immunotoxin induces stable tolerance to renal allografts in rhesus monkeys given 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG), a NF-kappaB inhibitor that suppresses proinflammatory cytokine (PC) production. Because PC and NF-kappaB are involved in dendritic cell (DC) maturation, we asked if impaired DC maturation and Th2-type cytokine deviation might be related to the synergistic effect of DSG in this novel model.

METHODS

Immunosuppression was initiated 4 hr before transplanting a major histocompatibility complex mismatched renal allograft. Some groups received a supplemental 5-day course of cyclosporine A or DSG or a 15-day course of DSG. Peripheral lymph nodes were sequentially examined for presence of mature DC. In vitro effects of DSG on PC-induced maturation of DC were also examined.

RESULTS

Allografts survived without rejection in 87% of recipients given immunotoxin or F(Ab)2 immunotoxin with DSG x 15 days, in 50% with DSG x 5 days, and 0% with cyclosporine A. The longest DSG survivors are >1000 days with normal graft function and tolerance validated, including acceptance of challenge second donor kidneys without treatment. DSG-treated recipients were unique in developing polarized Th2-type plasma cytokines. In DSG recipients, mature DC were significantly reduced in day +5 lymph node biopsies, with complete repopulation by 30 days. In vitro studies verified an inhibitory effect of DSG on DC maturation.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests DSG arrests DC maturation. The unusual synergy of immunotoxin and DSG apparently involves coincidental reduction in lymph node T cell mass and mature DC, a transient circumstance favoring development of stable tolerance.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome and venous emboli causing intracerebral hemorrhages after liver transplantation: a case report

Increasing experience has fostered the acceptance of liver transplantation as a treatment for patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome. Morbidity and mortality is most commonly attributed to progressive arterial hypoxemia postoperatively. A cerebral hemorrhage has been reported in one patient with hepatopulmonary syndrome after transplantation. However, a postmortem examination of the brain was not performed and the pathogenesis or type of cerebral hemorrhage was undefined. We report on a patient with severe hepatopulmonary syndrome who developed multiple intracranial hemorrhages after transplantation. The intracerebral hemorrhages were most consistent with an embolic etiology on postmortem examination. We postulate that venous embolization, caused by the manipulation of a Swan Ganz catheter in a thrombosed central vein, resulted in pulmonary emboli that passed through dilated intrapulmonary vessels into the cerebral microcirculation. Special attention to central venous catheters and avoidance of manipulation may be warranted in subjects with severe hepatopulmonary syndrome after liver transplantation.

Reduction of ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver by in vivo adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 gene

OBJECTIVE

To examine the possibility of reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R injury) to the mouse liver by in vivo adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the antiapoptotic human Bcl-2 gene.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Ischemia-reperfusion injury has been demonstrated in a number of clinically relevant diseases such as myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, sepsis, peripheral vascular disease, and organ transplantation. In this regard, apoptosis plays a central role.

METHODS

Normal C57BL/6 mice were used. An adenovirus (deltaE1) vector containing the human Bcl-2 gene was developed in the authors' laboratory. An adenovirus vector encoding an irrelevant gene (beta-galactosidase, AdCMVLacZ) was used as a control. Taking advantage of the hepatotropic properties of adenovirus vectors, gene transfer was performed with 1 x 10(9) plaque-forming units by intravenous tail injection, 48 hours before the ischemic injury. Ischemic-reperfusion injury was induced by temporal and segmental occlusion of hepatic blood flow. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activity was measured using standard assays. Liver biopsies were obtained before and 6 hours after I/R injury for morphologic assessment, and apoptosis was determined in situ with a histochemical assay.

RESULTS

The expression of AdCMVhBcl-2 vector was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and functionally validated in apoptotic studies in endothelial cells. Expression of the Bcl-2 gene protects against I/R injury, as shown by a significant decrease in transaminases (p < 0.05) and necrosis and apoptosis (p < 0.001), and permanent survival (p < 0.0001), compared with sham-operated animals and animals treated with AdCMVLacZ.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic modification of the liver to induce cytoprotection has potential applications to prevent I/R injury to the liver in surgical interventions, including liver transplantation.

Tolerability and side effects of anti-CD3-immunotoxin in preclinical testing in kidney and pancreatic islet transplant recipients

INTRODUCTION

Anti-CD3-immunotoxin (alpha-CD3-IT) promotes allograft tolerance in nonhuman primates owing to efficient depletion of sessile and circulating T cells. Common side effects of vascular leak syndrome, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity have limited tolerability of other immunotoxins. We report on preclinical studies of alpha-CD3-IT-related side effects.

METHODS

Normal rhesus monkeys received a kidney transplant and alpha-CD3-IT alone (on day -to +2) or in combination with brief peritransplant adjunctive immunosuppressive therapy. Some received donor CD34+ cells. Blood chemistries, complete blood count, weight, liver, and kidney biopsies were examined for immunotoxin-related changes. Five spontaneously diabetic primates also received alpha-CD3-IT, three of whom had a pancreas islet transplant.

RESULTS

The main side effect of alpha-CD3-IT, vascular leak syndrome, was entirely prevented by adjunctive immunosuppressive therapy. Renal and liver function tests and biopsies revealed a lack of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. All had transient weight loss (14+/-5%). Without infusion of donor CD34+ cells, 97% had full weight recovery. Of those given donor CD34+ cells, 50% were euthanized for wasting.

CONCLUSIONS

Side effects of alpha-CD3-IT are manageable and should not prevent therapeutic application.

Reversal of naturally occuring diabetes in primates by unmodified islet xenografts without chronic immunosuppression

BACKGROUND

Isolated pancreatic islet transplantation (IPITx) is an attractive alternative for treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). However, IPITx has been difficult to implement clinically because islets frequently fail to function, have a high incidence of rejection, and are susceptible to autoimmune recurrence and damage by chronic immunosuppressive therapy. Tolerance induction may be a rational approach to resolve several of these limitations. Because anti-CD3 immunotoxin (IT) has been successful in promoting stable primate kidney transplant tolerance in our experience, we considered that tolerance induction with IT might be duplicated in IPITx.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three monkeys with spontaneous IDDM (two Macaca fascicularis and one Ceropithecus aethiops) were treated with xenogeneic pancreatic islets (Macaca mulatta). Intrahepatic islet transplantation was performed at a mean of 13136+/-3860 islet equivalents/kg. Islet xenograft acceptance was accomplished by tolerance induction with two injections of IT given on day 0 at 2 hr before transplantation and on day +1, respectively. IT treatment was supplemented with cyclosporine and steroids administered on days 0 through 4. No additional immunosuppression was given thereafter. Two additional control macaques with spontaneous IDDM received the immunosuppressive protocol without islet infusion.

RESULTS

All recipients were restored to stable euglycemia, off exogenous insulin, within 1-2 weeks after transplantation. Glucose tolerance, C-peptide, and glycosylated hemoglobin tests confirmed the restoration of normal glucose homeostasis after islet transplantation. All three islet recipients have remained euglycemic at 410, 255, and 100 days of follow-up despite recovery of peripheral T cells to normal levels. In contrast, none of the controls presented changes in the diabetic status 4 and 8 months after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results represent the first demonstration in nonhuman primates of stable, long-term acceptance of nonencapsulated xenogeneic islets off all immunosuppression, suggesting operational tolerance. The findings have potential implications for islet transplantation as well as improved and more cost-effective therapy for IDDM.

Genetic modification of liver grafts with an adenoviral vector encoding the Bcl-2 gene improves organ preservation

BACKGROUND

Liver function after transplantation is determined by the quality of the donor organ and the influences of preservation, flush, and reperfusion injury. In this regard, cell death (apoptosis) plays an important role in organ preservation and rejection. Therefore, we examined the possibility of genetic modification of the liver graft with a recombinant adenovirus vector encoding the Bcl-2 gene to reduce apoptosis during the preservation time.

METHODS

Liver grafts from C57B1/6 mice were procured and preserved using standard techniques. A replication defective adenovirus vector (deltaE1) containing the human Bcl-2 gene (AdCMVhBcl-2) was developed in our laboratory. An adenovirus vector encoding an irrelevant gene (Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase) was used as a control. Each mouse received 1 x 10(9) plaque forming units administered i.v. 48 hr before the liver procurement. Analyses of liver enzyme activities were determined in the preservation solution. Apoptosis in liver biopsies was determined by DNA fragmentation with an in situ histochemical assay.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical analysis and RT-PCR confirmed the expression of hBcl-2 in the grafts. Grafts from livers expressing hBcl-2 showed significant reduction of the aspartame amino transferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release compared with grafts from the control groups. After rewarming, significant cytoprotection was also observed in grafts from animals treated with AdCMVhBcl-2. Histological analysis correlated with the hepatocellular injury determined with transaminases and LDH in the preservation solution. Significant reduction in the number of apoptotic cells was observed in grafts expressing hBcl-2.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated a novel approach to reducing the preservation injury to liver grafts with the human Bcl-2 gene. This approach may allow a longer preservation time, potentially reduce the incidence of primary nonfunction, decrease the immunogenicity of the cold injured organ, and increase the safer use of "marginal" liver grafts.

Race: a critical factor in organ donation, patient referral and selection, and orthotopic liver transplantation?

The influence of ethnic origin on organ donation and renal allograft survival after renal transplantation has been controversial. Several large studies have reported inferior renal allograft survival in black recipients, whereas others have reported equal survival. However, the issue of race as it relates to organ donation, patient referral, and patient selection in orthotopic liver transplantation has not been investigated. We retrospectively reviewed our results of organ donation, patient referral and selection, and orthotopic liver transplantation since 1989. Because of a concerted educational effort by this organ procurement organization, the percentage of black donors has increased from 6.1% in 1988 to 21.9% in 1996. Since the inception of the Liver Transplant Program in 1989, 844 patients have been referred to our transplant center for organ transplant evaluation. Disproportionately fewer black patients (119; 14.1%) were referred for liver transplantation than white patients (725; 85.9%) based on the prevalence of end-stage liver disease in these populations. The acceptance rate for listing for transplantation was similar between the two groups. The percentage of patient referrals who actually underwent transplantation was similar across racial lines (43% black v 42% white patients). However, it appeared that black patients were referred for liver transplantation at a later stage and were more critically ill at the time of referral. Nevertheless, the patient and graft survival were similar between black and white patients. The 1- and 3-year survival rates in white recipients was 88% and 81%, respectively, versus 96% and 84% in black recipients. Within this organ procurement organization, black donation has increased over the past 10 years. Unfortunately, there may be a selection bias at the level of referral for liver transplantation. However, once patients are referred to this center for liver transplantation, the rate of transplantation and survival is similar between white and black patients.

Peritransplant tolerance induction with anti-CD3-immunotoxin: a matter of proinflammatory cytokine control

BACKGROUND

Tolerance is gaining momentum as an approach to reduce lifelong immunosuppressive therapy while improving transplant longevity. Anti-CD3 immunotoxin (IT), FN18-CRM9, has potential to induce tolerance owing to its exceptional ability to deplete sessile lymph node T cells. However, if initiated at the time of transplantation, alpha-CD3-IT alone elicits a proinflammatory cytokine response, precluding establishment of tolerance.

METHODS

Four groups of rhesus monkeys received kidney allografts and immunosuppression. Three groups received alpha-CD3-IT alone or alpha-CD3-IT supplemented with 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG) and/or methylprednisolone (MP). One group received alpha-CD3-monoclonal antibody with DSG and MP. Cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Supplementing peritransplant alpha-CD3-IT treatment with a brief course of DSG and MP promoted rejection-free kidney allograft acceptance in 75% of macaques followed for up to 550 days. Among those given alpha-CD3-IT alone or with MP, none were long-term survivors. Tolerance developed after alpha-CD3-IT, DSG, and MP treatment, but not when the unconjugated a-CD3 monoclonal antibody was substituted for IT. Systemic production of proinflammatory cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced after peritransplant alpha-CD3-IT was prevented only in animals given DSG. Despite high levels of interleukin (IL)-12 in the first month after transplant, tolerant recipients exhibited IL-12 resistance, as evidenced by baseline plasma levels of IFN-gamma but elevated IL-4. DSG was shown to inhibit IL-12-driven IFN-gamma production by a mechanism associated with inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-B.

CONCLUSIONS

In this model, peritransplant induction of tolerance is promoted by efficient elimination of sessile lymph node T cells and control of the proinflammatory IFN-gamma response by a mechanism that appears to involve resistance to IL-12.

Tacrolimus (FK506) and mycophenolate mofetil combination therapy versus tacrolimus in adult liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) prolongs allograft survival in experimental animals, prevents acute rejection in humans, and has recently been approved for use in renal transplantation in combination with cyclosporine. Tacrolimus (Prograf) has been shown to be effective for the prevention and treatment of allograft rejection in liver transplantation. However, there has been limited experience with the combination of tacrolimus and MMF in liver transplantation.

METHODS

This retrospective pilot study examined the results in 130 primary, consecutive, adult liver transplants under two separate immunosuppressive protocols. Patients in the study group received MMF (1 g p.o. b.i.d.), tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg p.o. b.i.d.), and a standard steroid taper. MMF was also tapered and then discontinued within 3 months of transplantation. A historical control received tacrolimus (0.15 mg/kg p.o. b.i.d.) and the same steroid taper.

RESULTS

Pretransplant demographics, including creatinine, were not significantly different between the groups. The 6-month patient and graft survivals of 96.3% (control) versus 92.0% (study) were not significantly different. The incidence of acute rejection was 45.0% in the control group versus 26.0% in the study group (P = 0.03). The study group had a lower incidence of rejection (mean episodes/patient +/- SEM): 0.28+/-0.07 vs. 0.61+/-0.10 (P = 0.007). All of the study group members responded to high-dose steroids. In the control group, three patients required monoclonal antibody therapy and two patients required the addition of MMF. The incidence of cytomegalovirus was similar in the study group and the control group (13.8% vs. 10.0%, P = NS). Early renal function was better preserved in the tacrolimus/MMF group (mean creatinine +/- SEM): 1.09 mg/dl +/- 0.05 vs. 1.51 mg/dl +/- 0.08 at 30 days, P = 0.0001. The study design required dosing with less tacrolimus (mean mg/day +/- SEM), which was achieved at 1 week (23.2+/-0.7 vs. 13.5+/-0.5); 1 month (18.7+/-0.8 vs. 11.4+/-0.5); 3 months (14.5+/-0.6 vs. 9+/-0.5); and 6 months (11.6+/-0.6 vs. 8.2+/-0.6); P = 0.0001, for all time points.

CONCLUSION

Combination therapy with tacrolimus and MMF may significantly reduce the incidence of acute liver allograft rejection, allow a significant reduction in tacrolimus dosage, and decrease the incidence of nephrotoxicity. Long-term analysis will be necessary to assess any increased risk of opportunistic infections.

Preclinical studies of allograft tolerance in rhesus monkeys: a novel anti-CD3-immunotoxin given peritransplant with donor bone marrow induces operational tolerance to kidney allografts

A major challenge in clinical transplantation today is to design a practical and effective protocol for tolerance induction compatible with cadaver organ transplantation. A preclinical rhesus monkey kidney allograft model using immediate peritransplant anti-CD3 immunotoxin (anti-CD3-IT) and donor bone marrow (DBM) is shown here to induce operational tolerance with prolonged graft survival in the absence of chronic immunosuppressive drugs. Bone marrow harvested from the kidney donor was depleted of mature alloantigen-presenting cells and T cells by removing DR(bright) cells and CD3(bright) cells, respectively. In outbred, major histocompatibility complex-incompatible donor-recipient pairs with high pretransplant mixed lymphocyte response and cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor activity, four of six allografts survived for periods of 120 days to >1.5 years. Graft acceptance after peritransplant treatment followed robust elimination of both peripheral blood T cells and lymph node T cells. In most recipients given anti-CD3-IT and DBM infusion, anti-donor immunoglobulin G responses were completely inhibited. Microchimerism was observed in all recipients studied, including those not given DBM, but levels of microchimerism did not correlate with graft survival. Anti-CD3-IT induction in combination with modified DBM protocols such as the depletion of mature T cells and DR(bright) antigen-presenting cells may offer new opportunities to improve clinical tolerance protocols beyond those attempted in the clinic to date. Overall, these results with anti-CD3-IT show promise for development of cadaver transplant tolerance induction.

Immunohistochemical evaluations of ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung's disease. Report of three cases

PURPOSE

Unlike classic Hirschsprung's disease, short-segment and ultrashort-segment varieties are usually found to be latent and milder. Ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung's disease may present as intractable chronic constipation in children over one year of age, adolescents, and adults. Anorectal myectomy has been shown in many instances to provide effective long-term treatment for certain patients with ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung's disease. Histologically, the affected segment in Hirschsprung's disease has been shown to have increased cholinergic nerves, lack of nitric oxide synthase-containing neuronal elements, and show moderate to severe loss of myenteric neurons.

METHODS

Here, we report three cases that showed clinical and manometric evidence of ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung's disease. Two of the three patients responded well to myectomy.

RESULTS

Detailed histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation of the internal anal sphincter and a comparison with three normal controls revealed absence of nitric oxide synthase-containing neurons in both cases that responded well to surgery and continued presence of these neurons in the patient who did not respond. A review of the current literature on various treatment modalities is included.

CONCLUSIONS

Anorectal myectomy provides long-term relief of this chronic problem in a subgroup of patients with ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung's disease who lack nitrinergic neurons at the internal anal sphincter.

Pretransplant status and patient survival following liver transplantation

The current liver allocation system has been criticized, since available organs go to those who are the most critically ill. These recipients have the poorest overall survival. Identification of pretransplant risk factors for mortality would allow better allocation of donor livers. This study was a retrospective analysis of pretransplant clinical and laboratory parameters and subsequent postoperative liver transplant mortality to identify high-risk subgroups. Of 347 consecutive consecutive primary liver transplant recipients, 59 (17%) met United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) criteria for status 4. Pretransplant factors included liver function, coagulation, albumin and ammonia levels, renal function, the presence of ascites, and etiology of liver disease. Overall 1-year patient survival was significantly worse for the status 4 recipients (89.0% vs. 67.7%; P = 0.01). In a univariate analysis of pretransplant risk factors for all recipients, elevated creatinine (P = 0.008) and ammonia (P = 0.009), and UNOS status 4 (P = 0.01) significantly affected postoperative survival. In multivariate analysis of pretransplant risk factors for all recipients, elevated creatinine (P = 0.003) was the only factor to significantly affect postoperative survival. In UNOS status 4 patients, univariate analysis of pretransplant risk factors and their influence on patient survival demonstrated that prolonged coagulation partial thromboplastin time (P = 0.04) and a higher grade of encephalopathy (P = 0.02) significantly affected postoperative survival. Advanced encephalopathy (P = 0.009) and prolonged partial thromboplastin time (P = 0.01) were the only significant risk factors by multivariate analysis in status 4 patients. In status 4 and non-status 4 patients, we identified risk factors that adversely affected patient survival, but their predictive power was insufficient to deny transplantation. Despite the higher mortality in status 4 recipients, their long-term survival is only slightly worse than that of non-status 4 patients. Until better predictors of survival are ascertained, our data do not support limiting the use of donor livers in UNOS status 4 recipients.

Successful extrarenal transplantation from non-heart-beating donors

The current organ shortage has made utilization of organs from less-than-ideal donors more common. Although several transplant centers use kidneys from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs), there has been reluctance to extend the use of these donors to extrarenal organs. Of the 130 donors referred to our organ procurement organization between January 1993 and May 1994, 16 (12.3%) were NHBDs. Organ retrieval from 10 of these resulted in extrarenal donation, 5 resulted in renal donation only, and 1 resulted in no retrieval as a result of prolonged warm ischemia (> 2 hr). A total of 39 organs were transplanted from these NHBDs. A rapid en bloc retrieval technique was used for extrarenal NHBDs. The mean warm ischemic time was 15.4 min; preservation times were similar for both NHBDs and heart-beating donors. After liver transplantation (n = 5), one episode of primary nonfunction that was technical in origin required retransplantation. Following simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (n = 6), all patients were insulin independent and free of graft pancreatitis; one patient required hemodialysis (16.7%). After isolated renal transplantation (n = 21), 3 patients (14.3%) required hemodialysis. Three of 4 liver recipients are alive after a mean follow-up period of 12.7 months; all simultaneous pancreas-kidney and renal transplant recipients are alive after a mean follow-up period of 8.4 and 8.3 months, respectively. Three liver allografts, 5 pancreas and kidney allografts, and 19 renal allografts are functioning. The lung allograft was lost to rejection 81 days after transplantation; however, the recipient is alive 3 months after retransplantation. Our results demonstrate that in controlled situations, extrarenal organs can be utilized from NHBDs and can be expected to function similarly to organs retrieved from heart-beating donors. We increased the number of transplanted organs by 8.6% using NHBDs for both renal and extrarenal donation. Continued application of these techniques will likely further increase the number of organs retrieved for transplantation.

100 consecutive liver transplants in infants and children: an 8-year experience

Orthotopic liver transplantation has become the treatment of choice for most children and infants with end-stage liver disease. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the results of 100 consecutive liver transplants performed in infants and children at a single institution. During an 8-year study period (July 1984 to December 1992), 100 pediatric liver transplants were performed in 76 patients. Thirty-four patients (44.7%) were infants (mean age, 7.0 months; mean weight, 6.1 kg), and 42 (55.3%) were children (mean age, 8.2 years; mean weight, 30.6 kg). There were 36 reduced-size liver transplants (RLT) and 64 whole-size transplants (WLT). Eight infants (23.5%) and 10 children (20.7%) required retransplantation. After transplantation, 71% of the patients had one or more rejection episodes, 66% had one or more infections, 17.1% had biliary complications, and 39.4% required one or more reoperations. There were 17 deaths. The actuarial 8-year survival rate for the patients with biliary atresia was 82.3%; for all infants in this series, it was 77.6%. No difference in patient survival was noted when RLT was compared with WLT. The overall 8-year actuarial patient survival rate for infants and children was 77.3%.

Proctocolectomy and quadruple-limb W pouch reconstruction for the management of pediatric ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis

Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the procedure of choice for many children with ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis. The modified quadruple-limb (W) IPAA was designed to increase reservoir compliance and capacity, and to improve functional results by decreasing stool frequency. However, only limited information has been reported concerning the technical considerations and functional outcomes from W IPAA modification and utilization in the pediatric population. Additionally, pediatric IPAA physiological adaptation, expressed as IPAA volume/pressure relationships, for any type of IPAA design has not been described. In this report, the authors analyze their functional and physiological results with W IPAA in 19 children undergoing colectomy for ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis. Since 1986, 19 children (5 girls, 14 boys; mean age, 15.3 years [range, 11 to 18 years]) have undergone proctocolectomy with W IPAA for ulcerative colitis (n = 9) and familial polyposis (n = 10). IPAA pressure and volume profiles were measured in 10 patients at 2 and 12 months postileostomy takedown, and in five patients at 3 years. W IPAA compliance was calculated as the change in volume over change in pressure (delta V/delta P). There were no deaths, anastomotic leaks, or pelvic sepsis. The 24-hour stool frequency (mean +/- SEM) decreased significantly (P < or = .05) from 4.6 +/- 0.6 at 2 months to 3.3 +/- 0.1 at 12 months. No nighttime evacuation occurred after 12 months. W IPAA evacuation volume significantly increased (P < or = .05) from 238 +/- 22.9 mL at 2 months to 346 +/- 26.5 mL at 12 months and remained stable thereafter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Urological complications and enteric conversion after pancreas transplantation with bladder drainage

In summary, we feel that excellent 5-year patient and graft survival results can be obtained using SPK transplantation with bladder drainage technique. Despite the good results, a significant morbidity with prolonged hospitalization is seen after pancreas transplantation. This increased morbidity is due to infectious complications, rejection and urological complications. As a result of the popularity of bladder drainage, the complications after pancreas transplantation have shifted from intraabdominal to urological. Enteric conversion after SPK transplantation is the treatment of choice for chronic hematuria and a duodenal segment leak. In our hands this method appeared to be a safe and reliable procedure with a low complication rate. Enteric conversion should be considered in early leaks after failure of one attempt to suture repair the anastomotic site. In larger leaks or late leaks, it is advisable to perform an immediate enteric conversion. With the considerations above one might ask why enteric conversion is not our current primary choice for the initial transplant procedure. We have, however, noted a higher incidence of postoperative intraabdominal septic complications as well as mycotic aneurysms at the arterial suture line in a small series of 16 primarily enterically drained pancreas transplants. We also fear that the leakage rate after primary duodenoenteric drainage could be higher because of significant edema after transplantation in the preserved duodenal segment. We doubt, therefore, that the primary anastomosis with the bowel is as safe as one performed during enteric conversion when preservation injury has been resolved. At that point the patient is in stable condition and on significantly lower doses of immunosuppression than at the time of transplantation. This study demonstrates that urological complications constitute a major part of the morbidity after SPK transplantation. Despite this fact, appropriate treatment including enteric conversion can resolve most of the complications and prevent long-term morbidity or even graft loss.

Long-term results of liver transplantation for biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

Biliary atresia can be treated by portoenterostomy, which is primarily palliative, or by liver transplantation, which is primarily curative. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of liver transplantation for the treatment of biliary atresia.

METHODS

During an 8-year period, 45 patients who underwent liver transplantation for biliary atresia and 10 patients who were referred to our center for portoenterostomy were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

No patient with biliary atresia died awaiting liver transplantation. The waiting time for all patients was 36.7 +/- 42.8 days. Thirty-four patients (75.6%) required one transplant, whereas 11 patients (24.4%) required 17 retransplants. Twenty-two patients (48.9%) required 39 reoperations (1.8 per patient). There were 4.9 infectious episodes, 2.2 rejection episodes, and 4.4 readmissions per patient. However, 91% of reoperations, 80% of infections, and 78% of rejections occurred within 6 months of transplantation. The overall 7-year actuarial patient and graft survival for patients with biliary atresia was 86.2% and 62.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that long-term patient survival after liver transplantation for biliary atresia is excellent. However, portoenterostomy continues to have an initial complementary but limited long-term role in the treatment of infants with biliary atresia.

Two hundred consecutive simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants with bladder drainage

BACKGROUND

Since 1982, 288 pancreas transplantations have been performed at the University of Wisconsin. This report reviews our experience with 200 consecutive simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantations during a 7-year period.

METHODS

Two hundred consecutive SPK transplantations were performed between December 1985 to October 1992. Immediate posttransplant function and surgical and infectious complications were evaluated. Frequency of rejection episodes were analyzed, as was 5-year patient and graft survival.

RESULTS

All but four pancreas transplants functioned immediately after transplantation. Three pancreas transplants failed because of thrombosis and one from primary nonfunction. Five-year patient survival was 90.2%, kidney survival 80.3%, and pancreas survival 78.6%. There were 54 surgical complications. Fifteen patients have died since 1985. The most frequent cause of death was infection (three patients). A total of 678 infectious episodes were recorded. Urinary tract infection (n = 344) was the most frequent type of infection. Enteric conversion was necessary in 35 patients, with the most frequent indication being a leak of the duodenal segment.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded from this series that SPK transplantation is associated with higher cost and morbidity as compared with kidney transplantation alone. However, excellent long-term survival in combination with the clearly demonstrated benefits for secondary diabetic complications indicate that SPK transplantation is the procedure of choice for carefully selected patients with diabetes.

Urological complications in 210 consecutive simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants with bladder drainage

OBJECTIVE

The urological complications of 210 patients who underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation over a 7-year period were reviewed.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Worldwide, bladder drainage has become the accepted method of exocrine drainage after pancreas transplantation. With the increasing use of bladder drainage, the surgical post-transplant complications have shifted from intra-abdominal complications to urological complications.

METHODS

Two hundred ten diabetic patients received SPK transplants with bladder drainage. A retrospective review was conducted to analyze the incidence, type, and management of urological complications.

RESULTS

The most frequent urological complications were hematuria, leak from the duodenal segment, recurrent urinary tract infections, urethritis, and ureteral stricture and disruption. Complications related to the renal transplant included ureteral stricture and leaks, as well as lymphoceles.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the high incidence of urological complications, 5-year actuarial patient and graft survival are excellent. Only one graft and one patient were lost secondary to urological complications.

RS-61443 reverses acute renal allograft rejection in dogs

RS-61443 is a noncompetitive allosteric inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. It blocks the proliferative response of T and B lymphocytes, prevents the generation of cytotoxic T cells, and inhibits antibody formation. This study was conducted to see whether or not RS-61443 can reverse acute renal allograft rejection in dogs. It was possible to reverse this process.