List For Liver Transplantation Research Articles

Liver Transplantation From Type II Donation After Cardiac Death Donor With Normothermic Regional Perfusion and Normothermic Machine Perfusion

BackgroundThe current imbalance between donor supply and patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LT) is significant. To resolve this situation, marginal organs, such as those from type 2 donation after cardiac death (DCD2), are being considered. MethodsIn the present article, we present the first LT with a new protocol consisting in normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) and normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) for a type 2 DCD graft initially rejected for LT. ResultsAfter a favorable evolution with NMP (improved macroscopic appearance of the graft, acid–base equilibrium control and bile production), the transplantation was performed without major incidents. The evolution of the graft and patient were favorable. After 3 months, cholangiography showed no signs of ischemic cholangiopathy. ConclusionsThree-month patient and graft survival are encouraging, but more cases are needed to test the clinical efficacy of the new protocol.

Intraportal therapy of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation

This study was carried out to explore the methodology of intraportal infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in patients in the waiting list for liver transplantation. The study included eight patients. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score as a predictor of hepatic failure exceeds 10 points, i.e., 12-22 points. According to Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) classification, the severity of cirrhosis ranged from class B to C. The bone marrow volume of 224-320 ml was harvested by bilateral aspiration from the posterior iliac crest. The total volume of the mononuclear cells (MNC) was 47.1-58.3 ml (median, 47 ml). The absolute viable count of isolated MNC was 1.24 · 109-5.84 · 109 and CD34+ cells 2.54 · 106-48.20 · 106. After portal vein catheterization, direct transhepatic portography was performed, and portosystemic collaterals were found in all cases. Portal flowmetry was performed to determine the optimal selective perfusion rate of the segmental branches of the portal vein. Portal vein infusion was performed at 0.3-1.5 ml/sec. Serious side effects were not detected during bone marrow harvesting and MNC infusion. All patients had stable condition (no deterioration was initially noticed) after MNC infusion according to the MELD score and CTP criteria during a 3-month observation. Moreover, improvement in physical health status was observed and obtained using the SF-36 questionnaire. This study confirmed the safety of using intraportal therapy of autologous bone marrow MNC in patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation. Herein, we presented the technique of target delivery of autologous bone marrow MNC to the liver to minimize their loss during intraportal infusion. Prolonged follow-up time and improvement of the present technique are needed for further evaluation of the efficiency of autologous bone marrow MNC.

Midodrine and albumin for prevention of complications in patients with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation. A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LT) commonly develop complications that may preclude them from reaching LT. Circulatory dysfunction leading to effective arterial hypovolemia and activation of vasoconstrictor systems is a key factor in the pathophysiology of complications of cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with midodrine, an alpha-adrenergic vasoconstrictor, together with intravenous albumin improves circulatory dysfunction and prevents complications of cirrhosis in patients awaiting LT. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT00839358) was conducted, including 196 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and ascites awaiting LT. Patients were randomly assigned to receive midodrine (15-30 mg/day) and albumin (40 g/15 days) or matching placebos for one year, until LT or drop-off from inclusion on the waiting list. The primary endpoint was incidence of any complication (renal failure, hyponatremia, infections, hepatic encephalopathy or gastrointestinal bleeding). Secondary endpoints were mortality, activity of endogenous vasoconstrictor systems and plasma cytokine levels. There were no significant differences between both groups in the probability of developing complications of cirrhosis during follow-up (p = 0.402) or one-year mortality (p = 0.527). Treatment with midodrine and albumin was associated with a slight but significant decrease in plasma renin activity and aldosterone compared to placebo (renin -4.3 vs. 0.1 ng/ml.h, p < 0.001; aldosterone -38 vs. 6 ng/dl, p = 0.02, at week 48 vs. baseline). Plasma norepinephrine only decreased slightly at week 4. Neither arterial pressure nor plasma cytokine levels changed significantly. In patients with cirrhosis awaiting LT, treatment with midodrine and albumin, at the doses used in this study, slightly suppressed the activity of vasoconstrictor systems, but did not prevent complications of cirrhosis or improve survival. Patients with cirrhosis who are on the liver transplant waiting list often develop complications which prevent them from receiving a transplant. Circulatory dysfunction is a key factor behind a number of complications. This study was aimed at investigating whether treating patients with midodrine (a vasoconstrictor) and albumin would improve circulatory dysfunction and prevent complications. This combined treatment, at least at the doses administered in this study, did not prevent the complications of cirrhosis or improve the survival of these patients.

From the Editor’s desk....: September 2018

From the Editor’s desk....: September 2018

Trasplante hepático con injerto de donante en asistolia tipo 2 con perfusión regional normotérmica y máquina de perfusión normotérmica

BackgroundThe current imbalance between donor supply and patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LT) is significant. To resolve this situation, marginal organs, such as those from type 2 donation after cardiac death (DCD2), are being considered. MethodsIn the present article, we present the first LT with a new protocol consisting in normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) and normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) for a type 2 DCD graft initially rejected for LT. ResultsAfter a favorable evolution with NMP (improved macroscopic appearance of the graft, acid-base equilibrium control and bile production), the transplantation was performed without major incidents. The evolution of the graft and patient were favorable. After 3 months, cholangiography showed no signs of ischemic cholangiopathy. ConclusionsThree-month patient and graft survival are encouraging, but more cases are needed to test the clinical efficacy of the new protocol.

Predictive Factors for Death on a Long Waiting List for Liver Transplantation after an Episode of Acute on Chronic Liver Failure

Predictive Factors for Death on a Long Waiting List for Liver Transplantation after an Episode of Acute on Chronic Liver Failure

Utility of Liquid Biopsy (CTCs) after Liver Transplantation in Cirrhotic Patients with Hepatocarcinoma

Introduction New markers associated with angiogenesis and tumor metastasis, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), are opening up new avenues in cancer management from the laboratory. The Aim of this work is to determine the number of CTCs in patients included in waiting list for liver transplantation of hepatocellular carcinoma and to study its possible association with the alpha fetoprotein tumor marker (AFP) and with clinical variables such as number of tumors, presence of tumor vascular invasion, waiting list time, time from diagnosis and post-transplant tumor recurrence. In addition, we intend to compare the pre-transplant levels of CTCs with those obtained one month, six months, one year and two years after the transplant. Materials and Methods Peripheral blood of 36 patients suffering hepatocellular carcinoma once included in waiting list for liver transplant was obtained. 29 of them were transplanted, 27 of whom had blood extracted one month after the transplant, 19 of them after 6 months and one year after the transplant and 11 of them two years after the transplant. In order to study the correlation between the concentration of CTCs and the concentration of AFP, number of tumors, time on waiting list and from diagnosis in the patients, the Rho Spearman test was used. The study of the association of the CTCs levels with vascular invasion and presence of post-transplant recurrence was conducted with Mann-Whitney U test. For the variation in the levels of CTCs before and after the transplant, the Wilcoxon (SPSS 15.0) test was used. Results The average concentration of CTCs in the 36 patients before transplant was 11.50 CTCs/10mL (RI=2.25-42). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the pre-transplant levels of CTCs and the days on waiting list (Rho= 0,376 p=0,024). The CTCs were not correlated in a significant way with the AFP concentration, number of tumors and time since diagnosis. (p>0,05). Out of the 29 transplanted patients, 2 showed vascular invasion in liver. Differences in the levels of CTCs were found between the patients with and without vascular invasion (U=0,00 p=0,020), these being significantly higher in the patients with vascular invasion. However, no significant differences were found in the levels of CTCs of the patients with recurrence after transplantation (4 patients) as opposed to those who didn’t (U=42 p=0.611). Conclusions Our conclusion is that the levels of tumor cells in peripheral blood could be an unfavourable prognostic factor associated to longer waiting times and to the presence of vascular invasion by tumor with an increased risk of relapse and post-transplant metastasis. In addition, we can see how their levels decrease significantly after transplantation. However, it would be necessary to increase the number of patients in the study, as well as the follow-up time, in order to achieve greater clinical evidence for its utility.

Use of Peritoneovenous Shunt for the Management of Refractory Ascites

BackgroundGuidelines for the management of refractory ascites (RA) recommend transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS), diuretics, and paracentesis as the main strategies, discouraging use of surgical peritoneovenous shunts (PVSs). However, PVSs, including both Denver (DS) or saphenoperitoneal (SPS) modalities, may still have indications. Herein we report our experience with PVSs in the context of modern surgical and anesthetic management. MethodsIn our unit, PVSs are offered to patients with ascites refractory to diuretics in which TIPS are contraindicated. Heart function and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis must be assessed before surgical indication. ResultsSeven procedures were performed on 5 patients (6-DS, 1-SPS) in 2013. Their mean age was 61 (range, 54–68) years. In 3 patients, the indication was RA without options for liver transplant; 2 patients were on the waiting list for liver transplantation, which were performed to improve renal function and quality of life (QOL). The median hospital stay was 6.5 (range, 3–12) days. All patients were alive after 12 months. One patient died 2 years after the first DS and another later died due to liver insufficiency with patency of the DS. The ascites was well-controlled in 4 of 5 patients at up to 48 months of follow-up. Decreases in diuretics doses, proper weight maintenance, and a dramatic improvement in QOL (measured by a modified Ascites Symptom Inventory-7 [ASI-7] test) were observed after the procedures. ConclusionPVSs are useful for the treatment of patients with RA who develop resistance to common therapies, leading to a major improvement in QOL. These surgical procedures should be included in the armamentarium of experienced liver surgeons.

Using Digital Interventions to Support Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder and Advanced Liver Disease: A Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

Alcohol abstinence is the most important therapeutic goal for individuals with advanced liver disease (ALD), but commonly co-occurring alcohol use disorders (AUD) make it difficult to achieve. This challenge is perhaps best documented in the pre- and post-liver transplant period: around 30% of patients on a liver transplant list relapse with alcohol, and up to 50% can relapse in the first 10 years post-transplant. Tools to assist patients with ALD and AUD in initiating and maintaining abstinence have been limited: safe, tolerable, and effective pharmacotherapies for AUD are not widely used and treatment is often complicated by medical issues including malnourishment, physically debility, covert or overt hepatic encephalopathy, sleep and fatigue disorders, comorbid depression, and anxiety disorders.......

NASH Leading Cause of Liver Transplant in Women: Updated Analysis of Indications For Liver Transplant and Ethnic and Gender Variances.

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) was previously the leading indication for liver transplant (LT) in the United States. However, since 2014 the use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has decreased the chronic HCV burden, while the prevalence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has risen substantially through the last decade. Both gender and ethnic disparities in indications for LT have been shown in the past but no data on this have been reported since the implementation of DAAs. We assessed changes in etiologies for LT listing and in gender and ethnic differences in those listed for LT. Adult patients registered for LT in the United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2016 were included. Multinomial logistic regression modeling was used to test for changes in waitlist or liver transplant rates. The study included 127,164 adult patients registered for LT. By 2016, alcoholic liver disease (ALD) was the leading etiology for waitlisting and LT; NASH was second; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to chronic HCV and chronic HCV alone were 3rd and 4th. NASH was the leading cause for LT for women and the 2nd leading cause for men (following ALD). NASH increased as the cause in all ethnic subgroups and was the leading cause in 2016 among Asian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white females. We also found that although the indication for liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to HCV has increased over the years, this indication decreased for the first time between 2015 and 2016 in both males and females. NASH is currently the second leading cause for LT waitlist registration/liver transplantation overall, and in females, the leading cause. Given the rate of increase, NASH will likely rise to become the leading indication for LT in males as well.

Successful direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment of HCV/HIV-coinfected patients before and after liver transplantation.

ObjectivesThe aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to investigate safety and efficacy of direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment in the rare subgroup of patients with HCV/HIV-coinfection and advanced liver cirrhosis on the liver transplant waiting list or after liver transplantation, respectively.MethodsWhen contacting 54 German liver centers (including all 23 German liver transplant centers), 12 HCV/HIV-coinfected patients on antiretroviral combination therapy were reported having received additional DAA therapy while being on the waiting list for liver transplantation (patient characteristics: Child-Pugh A (n = 6), B (n = 5), C (n = 1); MELD range 7–21; HCC (n = 2); HCV genotype 1a (n = 8), 1b (n = 2), 4 (n = 2)). Furthermore, 2 HCV/HIV-coinfected patients were denoted having received DAA therapy after liver transplantation (characteristics: HCV genotype 1a (n = 1), 4 (n = 1)).ResultsApplied DAA regimens were SOF/DAC (n = 7), SOF/LDV/RBV (n = 3), SOF/RBV (n = 3), PTV/r/OBV/DSV (n = 1), or PTV/r/OBV/DSV/RBV (n = 1), respectively. All patients achieved SVR 12, in the end. In one patient, HCV relapse occurred after 24 weeks of SOF/DAC therapy; subsequent treatment with 12 weeks PTV/r/OBV/DSV achieved SVR 12. One patient underwent liver transplantation while on DAA treatment. Analysis of liver function revealed either stable parameters or even significant improvement during DAA therapy and in follow-up. MELD scores were found to improve in 9/13 therapies in patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation; in only 2 patients a moderate increase of MELD scores persisted at the end of follow-up.ConclusionDAA treatment was safe and highly effective in this nation-wide cohort of patients with HCV/HIV-coinfection awaiting liver transplantation or being transplanted.

Delisting HCV-infected liver transplant candidates who improved after viral eradication: Outcome 2 years after delisting.

Treating patients with decompensated cirrhosis with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy while on the waiting list for liver transplantation results in substantial improvement of liver function allowing 1 in 4 patients to be removed from the waiting list or delisted, as reported in a previous study promoted by the European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association (ELITA). The aim of this study was to report on clinical outcomes of delisted patients, including mortality risk, hepatocellular carcinoma development and clinical decompensation requiring relisting. One hundred and forty-two HCV-positive patients on the liver transplant waiting list for decompensated cirrhosis, negative for hepatocellular carcinoma, between February 2014 and June 2015 were treated with DAA therapy and were prospectively followed up. Forty-four patients (30.9%) were delisted following clinical improvement. This percentage was higher than in the original study because of a number of patients being delisted long after starting DAAs. The median Child-Pugh and MELD score of delisted patients was 5.5 and 9 respectively. Four patients were relisted, because of HCC diagnosis in 1 case and 3 patients developed ascites. One further patient died (2.4%) because of rapidly progressing hepatocellular carcinoma twenty-two months after delisting. Of the 70 patients who received a liver graft, 9 died (13%). Antiviral therapy allows for a long-term improvement of liver function and the delisting of one-third of treated patients with risk of liver-related complications after delisting being very low.

Current allocation policy is favorable for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma waiting for liver transplantation

BackgroundPatients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are a growing population of the transplantation waiting list (WL) for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). There is no consensus to prioritize these patients while on the WL. AimsTo assess whether patients with HCC were more prioritized than non-HCC patients based on their WL survival as primary outcome. MethodsRestrospective cohort study including patients listed for elective OLT from January 2013 to January 2016. Results165 patients with cirrhosis were listed for OLT: 64 in the HCC group (38.78%) and 101 in the non-HCC group (61.22%). Outcomes (HCC vs. non-HCC) were: OLT in 75.51% vs. 64.37%; death or dropout due to worsening in 20.41% vs. 27.59%, and delisting because of improvement in 4.08% vs. 8.05%. HCC patients had a significantly higher WL survival rate (HR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.21–0.96); lower MELD score at transplantation (21 [20–24] vs. 24 [20–30]; p = 0.021); higher delta-MELD – the difference between MELD at transplantation and MELD at listing time – (3 [2–6] vs. 0 [0–5]; p = 0.024) and longer waiting time until OLT (143 [70–233] vs. 67 [21–164] days; p = 0.008). ConclusionDespite having to wait longer, patients with HCC showed higher WL survival than non-HCC patients.

History of Marijuana Use Does Not Affect Outcomes on the Liver Transplant Waitlist.

Data are limited on marijuana use and its impact on liver transplant (LT) waitlist outcomes. We aimed to assess the risk of waitlist mortality/delisting and likelihood of LT among prior marijuana users and to determine the prevalence and factors associated with marijuana use. Retrospective cohort of adults evaluated for LT over 2 years at a large LT center. Marijuana use was defined by self-report in psychosocial assessment and/or positive urine toxicology. Ongoing marijuana use was not permitted for LT listing during study period. Eight hundred eighty-four adults were evaluated, and 585 (66%) were listed for LT (median follow-up, 1.4 years; interquartile range, 0.5-2.0). Prevalence of marijuana use was 48%, with 7% being recent users and 41% prior users. Marijuana use had statistically significant association with alcoholic cirrhosis (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.9) and hepatitis C (IRR, 2.1) versus hepatitis B, tobacco use (prior IRR, 1.4; recent IRR, 1.3 vs never), alcohol use (never IRR 0.1; heavy use/abuse IRR 1.2 vs social), and illicit drug use (prior IRR, 2.3; recent, 1.9 vs never). In adjusted competing risk regression, marijuana use was not associated with the probability of LT (prior hazard ratio [HR], 0.9; recent HR, 0.9 vs never) or waitlist mortality/delisting (prior HR, 1.0; recent HR, 1.0 vs never). However, recent illicit drug use was associated with higher risk of death or delisting (HR, 1.8; P = 0.004 vs never). Unlike illicit drug use, marijuana use was not associated with worse outcomes on the LT waitlist. Prospective studies are needed to assess ongoing marijuana use on the LT waitlist and post-LT outcomes.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: the new frontier for liver transplantation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing cause of chronic liver disease globally and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is projected to become the most common indication for liver transplantation. The purpose of this review is to highlight key issues surrounding NAFLD as an indication for liver transplantation, including its increasing prevalence, outcomes related to liver transplantation, development of post liver transplant NAFLD and NAFLD in the liver donor pool. With the advent of direct-acting antiviral therapies, the proportion of patients on the liver transplant list or undergoing liver transplant for chronic hepatitis C infection is steadily decreasing. In contrast, the number transplants performed for NAFLD is increasing. By 2030, it is estimated that the incidence of decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma will increase by 168 and 137%, respectively, and the number of deaths will increase by 178%. Liver transplantation cures cirrhosis but does not treat the underlying metabolic disease associated with NAFLD. Thus, strategies to control comorbidities in patients with NAFLD prior to transplant are needed to decrease waitlist mortality and the recurrence of NAFLD after liver transplant. NAFLD in the donor pool is also a growing concern. Strategies to minimize steatosis and expand the number of donors are critical to meet the growing demand for liver transplantation.

The efficacy of direct anti-HCV drugs improves early post-liver transplant survival and induces significant changes in waiting list composition

The efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has dramatically changed the prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis C. We aimed to evaluate the impact of DAA therapy on the composition of the liver transplant (LT) waiting list and the early post-transplant survival. We evaluated all patients admitted to the waiting list for a primary LT between 1st January 2008 and 31st of December 2016 in Catalonia, Spain. Time span was divided into two periods according to the availability of different antiviral therapies: 2008-2013 (interferon-based therapies) and 2014-2016 (DAA). Changes in the indications of LT and the aetiology of liver disease, as well as post-LT patient survival, were evaluated according to the year of inclusion and transplantation, respectively. We included 1,483 patients. Admissions in the waiting list for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease decreased significantly, from 47% in 2008-2013 to 35% in 2014-2016 (p <0.001), particularly because of a reduction in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. In contrast, NASH-related inclusions increased from 4% to 7% (p = 0.003). Three-year post-LT patient survival increased significantly in the second period in the whole cohort (82% vs. 91%, p = 0.002), because of better survival in anti-HCV positive patients (76% vs. 91%, p = 0.001), but not in anti-HCV negative patients (88% vs. 91% p = 0.359). Anti-HCV positive serology, the time period of 2008-2013 and higher donor age were independently associated with post-LT mortality in the whole cohort; while time period and donor age were independently associated with post-LT mortality in anti-HCV positive recipients. The high efficacy of DAAs is associated with significant changes in the composition of the LT waiting list and, more importantly, results in improved post-transplant survival. The efficacy of the new direct-acting antivirals is associated with a significant improvement in survival of patients undergoing liver transplantation because of hepatitis C virus-related liver disease. In addition, it has decreased the number of patients with hepatitis C that need a liver transplant.

Locoregional treatments before liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a study from the European Liver Transplant Registry.

Locoregional treatment while on the waiting list for liver transplantation (Ltx) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been shown to improve survival. However, the effect of treatment type has not been investigated. We investigate the effect of locoregional treatment type on survival after Ltx for HCC. We investigated patients registered in the European Liver Transplant Registry database using multivariate Cox regression survival analysis. Information on locoregional therapy was registered for 4978 of 23 124 patients and was associated with improved overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) 0.84 (0.73-0.96)] and HCC-specific survival [HR 0.76 (0.59-0.98)]. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was the one monotherapy associated with improved overall survival [HR 0.51 (0.40-0.65)]. In addition, the combination of RFA and transarterial chemoembolization also improved survival [HR 0.74 (0.55-0.99)]. Adjusting for factors related to prognosis, disease severity, and tumor aggressiveness, RFA was highly beneficial for overall and HCC-specific survival. The effect may represent a selection of patients with favorable tumor biology; however, the treatment may be effective per se by halting tumor progression. Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT02995096.

Benefit in liver transplantation: a survey among medical staff, patients, medical students and non-medical university staff and students

BackgroundThe allocation of any scarce health care resource, especially a lifesaving resource, can create profound ethical and legal challenges. Liver transplant allocation currently is based upon urgency, a sickest-first approach, and does not utilize capacity to benefit. While urgency can be described reasonably well with the MELD system, benefit encompasses multiple dimensions of patients’ well-being. Currently, the balance between both principles is ill-defined.MethodsThis survey with 502 participants examines how urgency and benefit are weighted by different stakeholders (medical staff, patients on the liver transplant list or already transplanted, medical students and non-medical university staff and students).ResultsLiver transplant patients favored the sickest-first allocation, although all other groups tended to favor benefit. Criteria of a successful transplantation were a minimum survival of at least 1 year and recovery of functional status to being ambulatory and capable of all self-care (ECOG 2). An individual delisting decision was accepted when the 1-year survival probability would fall below 50%. Benefit was found to be a critical variable that may also trigger the willingness to donate organs.ConclusionsThe strong interest of stakeholder for successful liver transplants is inadequately translated into current allocation rules.

The psoas muscle transversal diameter predicts mortality in patients with cirrhosis on a waiting list for liver transplantation: A retrospective cohort study.

Malnutrition impairs prognosis in liver cirrhosis. Our aims were to determine (1) if transversal (TPTI) and axial (APTI) psoas thickness indices predict mortality in cirrhotic patients and (2) the feasibility and reproducibility of transversal (TDPM) and axial (ADPM) diameters of the psoas muscle measurements. This was a retrospective study. Inclusion criteria included cirrhosis diagnosis, on liver transplantation waiting list, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan within the 3 mo preceding list inscription. TDPM and ADPM were measured on a single umbilicus-targeted CT image by non-expert and expert operators. TPTI or APTI (mm/m) were calculated as TDPM or ADPM/height (m). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and Cox proportional hazard models were assessed. TPTI and APTI interobserver agreement: κ correlation test. A total of 173 patients were included. Low TPTI was associated with increased mortality: AUC = 0.66 (95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.80). TPTI was the only factor associated with mortality (hazard ratio = 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.76-0.99, P = 0.034). There was an almost perfect interobserver agreement between the two operators: TDPM, κ = 0.97; ADPM, κ = 0.94; P <0.0001. TPTI measured on umbilicus-targeted CT scan before inscription on the waiting list for liver transplantation predicts mortality of cirrhotic patients. TPTI measurement is easy and reliable, even by a non-trained operator, and this is highly feasible in daily clinical practice.

Temporal changes in liver stiffness after Fontan operation: Results of serial magnetic resonance elastography

BackgroundThe relationship between temporal progression of magnetic resonance elastography derived liver stiffness (MRE-LS) and progression of Fontan associated liver disease (FALD) is unknown. To assess this relationship, we hypothesized that progression of MRE-LS correlated with progression FALD severity and clinical outcomes. MethodsRetrospective review of Fontan patients who had >1 liver MRE, 2010–2016. Annual change in MRE-LS was the quotient of the difference between baseline and subsequent MRE-LS, and the interval between scans. Results22 patients were enrolled; median age 29(19–38) years, 14 (64%) males and 10 (46%) with atriopulmonary Fontan. Baseline and subsequent MRE-LS values were 5.4 ± 1.1 kPa and 5.8 ± 0.9 kPa" for clarity, interval between scans was 25 ± 5 months, and annual change in MRE-LS was 0.3 ± 0.2 kPa. Temporal change in MRE-LS correlated with temporal changes in model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (r = 0.84, p < 0.001) and model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio (MELD-XI) score (r = 0.75, p = 0.001). The study cohort was divided into 2 groups using the mean annual change in MRE-LS as the cut point. Groups A and B comprised of patients with annual increase in MRE-LS ≥0.3 kPa (n = 6) and <0.3 kPa (n = 16) respectively. Composite adverse event endpoint (death, heart–liver transplant listing, palliative care, hospitalization, paracentesis) was more common in Group A (4 of 6, 67%) compared to Group B (3 of 16, 19%), p = 0.13 although this did not reach statistical significance due to small sample size. ConclusionsProgression of MRE-LS correlated with clinical deterioration as measured by worsening liver disease severity scores and the occurrence of adverse events.