Model For End-stage Liver Disease Score In Patients Research Articles

Comparing Jaffe and Enzymatic Methods for Creatinine Measurement at Various Icterus Levels and Their Impacts on Liver Transplant Allocation.

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scoring system is used to prioritize liver transplantations and assess disease severity. This includes the international normalized ratio (INR), creatinine, and total bilirubin. Since there are several ways to measure creatinine, MELD scores can produce inconsistent results. The objectives of this study were to define a valid cut-off for bilirubin interference in creatinine measurement and to assess the effects of various icteric levels on creatinine measurement and liver transplant allocation. A total of 400 serum samples were categorized into four groups based on their icteric indices and total bilirubin levels, including non-, mild, moderate, and severe icteric samples. Both chemical Jaffe and enzymatic techniques were used to determine the creatinine levels in all four groups, and the findings were compared. In parallel, serum samples from 83 liver transplant candidate patients were divided into three groups depending on their bilirubin levels and then similarly evaluated and interpreted. The MELD scores were then computed for each group and compared. In icteric samples, the enzymatic method produced higher results for the creatinine concentrations than the Jaffe method did, and the mean creatinine difference rose from 0.08 in nonicteric group to 1.95 in groups with severe icterus. In addition, the enzymatic approach yielded higher findings for creatinine and subsequently for MELD scores in patients who were liver transplant candidates. When the bilirubin concentration was above the 4 mg/dL threshold, there were differences between the approaches for both the creatinine and the MELD score (p values: 0.0001 and 0.027, respectively). The chemical Jaffe is a readily available and considerably cost-effective method for measuring creatinine. However, it is influenced by a variety of known and unknown interfering substances, and it should be applied cautiously when working with icteric samples. Alternate techniques such as the enzymatic method should be considered when the bilirubin level exceeds 4 mg/dL. Though this cut-off is instrument and kit-dependent, each laboratory is advised to have its cut-off for bilirubin interference.

Serum Ceramide Species Are Associated with Liver Cirrhosis and Viral Genotype in Patients with Hepatitis C Infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects ceramide metabolism, and, here, we have evaluated associations of eight serum ceramide species with viral load, viral genotype, and disease markers in 178 patients with chronic HCV. In this cohort, ceramide d18:1;O2/16:0 was higher in the serum of the 20 diabetic patients compared to the patients without this complication. Moreover, ceramide d18:1;O2/24:0 was negatively correlated with age. Of note, all but ceramide d18:1;O2/16:0 and 26:0 were diminished in the serum of patients with liver cirrhosis and, with the exception of ceramide d18:1;O2/16:0, were negatively correlated with the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Most of the serum ceramides are carried in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which rises following effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. Ceramide d18:1;O2/24:0 recovered in parallel with LDL, whereas ceramide d18:1;O2/18:0 declined. Genotype-3-infected patients had the lowest ceramide levels, which were comparable to other genotypes after DAA treatment. Notably, ceramide d18:1;O2/23:0 and 24:0 were negatively correlated with the MELD score in patients with liver cirrhosis at the end of DAA therapy. Long-chain (LC) ceramides show adverse effects, whereas very-long-chain (VL) species have protective functions in the liver. The ratio of VL/LC ceramides was higher in non-cirrhosis patients than cirrhosis patients and further increased at the end of therapy in this subgroup. In summary, our study shows that serum ceramide levels are related to liver cirrhosis and viral genotype. Whether the more favorable serum ceramide profile in non-cirrhosis patients, before and after DAA therapy, is of pathophysiological importance needs further investigation.

Inclusion of sarcopenia improves the prognostic value of MELD score in patients after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)-Sarcopenia score for survival of cirrhotic patients after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement.Methods289 patients who underwent TIPS between February 2016 and December 2020 were included, they were divided into the sarcopenia group (n = 138) and non-sarcopenia group (n = 151) according to whether they were complicated with sarcopenia. Kaplan–Meier curve was used to analyze and compare the prognosis of the above two groups and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors. The performance of different predictive models was compared using C-index.ResultsDuring the follow-up, Kaplan–Meier analyses indicated that cumulative survival was significantly lower in sarcopenia group than that in non-sarcopenia group [74.6% vs. 92.7%, HR, 0.24 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12–0.46), Log-rank P < 0.001]. After multivariate Cox analysis, age [HR, 1.040 (95% CI, 1.015–1.065), P = 0.002], sarcopenia [HR, 3.948 (95% CI, 1.989–7.838), P < 0.001], albumin [HR, 0.945 (95% CI, 0.897–0.997), P = 0.037], and MELD score [HR, 1.156 (95% CI, 1.097–1.217), P < 0.001] were identified as the independent risk factors for mortality after TIPS. The C-indexes of MELD-Sarcopenia, Child-Pugh, MELD, MELD-Na, and the Freiburg index of post-TIPS survival (FIPS) scores were 0.782, 0.688, 0.719, 0.734, and 0.770, respectively.ConclusionSarcopenia is independently correlated with post-TIPS mortality, and MELD-Sarcopenia score showed the best performance in predicting post-TIPS mortality than the traditional predictive models.

Prognostic Value of Different Versions of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, which can reflect liver and renal function, is associated with poor prognosis. However, the prognostic performance of the modified MELD score in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been fully evaluated and compared. This study retrospectively enrolled 5324 patients. During a median follow-up of 2.85years, 412 patients died. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves at 3years indicated that the MELD including albumin (MELD-Albumin) score had the highest prognostic performance (AUC = .721) than the MELD score (AUC = .630), the MELD excluding the international normalized ratio (MELD-XI) score (AUC = .606), and the MELD including sodium (MELD-Na) score (AUC = .656) (all P < .001). The MELD-Albumin score, the MELD score, and the MELD-Na score were independent predictors of long-term mortality; however, the MELD-XI score was not when treated as a categorical variable (P = .254). Adding the MELD-Albumin score to the model of clinical risk factors could improve the prognostic performance. For the subgroup analysis, the association between the MELD-Albumin score and long-term mortality was more pronounced in patients ≤75years (interaction P value = .005). The MELD-Albumin score showed the strongest prognostic performance than the other versions of the MELD score in patients undergoing elective PCI.

The relationship between zinc deficiency and infectious complications in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

The prevalence of zinc deficiency is high in patients with chronic liver disease, but few studies have hitherto explored the relationship between the serum zinc level and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). This study aimed to assess the association between zinc deficiency and infectious complications, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Patients with HBV-related ACLF from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between January 2019 and December 2019 were retrospectively analysed in this study. Their demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital information system and analysed. The Student's t-test was used for normally distributed continuous variables between two groups and the Chi-square test was used for categorical data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify independent parameters. A total of 284 patients were included in this study, including 205 liver cirrhosis and 79 non-cirrhosis patients. The proportion of patients with zinc deficiency was the highest (84.5%), followed by subclinical zinc deficiency (14.1%) and normal zinc level (1.4%). Patients in the zinc deficiency group had a higher MELD score than the subclinical zinc deficiency or normal zinc group (P = 0.021). Age, total bilirubin, and serum zinc level were independent factors for infection (Ps < 0.05). The serum zinc level in patients without complications at admission was significantly higher than that in patients with complications (P = 0.004). Moreover, the serum zinc level in patients with prothrombin time activity (PTA) of <20% was significantly lower than that in patients with 20% ≤ PTA < 30% (P = 0.007) and that in patients with 30% ≤ PTA < 40% (P < 0.001). Zinc deficiency is common in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Zinc deficiency is closely associated with infectious complications and MELD score in patients with HBV-related ACLF.

MELD Score Predicts Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is increasingly being used in the management of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The Respiratory ECMO Survival Prediction (RESP) score is most commonly used to predict survival of patients undergoing ECMO. However, the RESP score does not incorporate renal and hepatic dysfunction which are frequently a part of the constellation of multiorgan dysfunction associated with ARDS. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) incorporates both liver and kidney dysfunction and is used in the risk stratification of liver transplant recipients as well as those undergoing cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the MELD score in patients undergoing VV ECMO. Patients undergoing VV ECMO from 2016 to 2019 were extracted from our prospectively maintained institutional ECMO database and stratified based on MELD score. Baseline clinical, laboratory, and follow-up data, as well as post-ECMO outcomes, were compared. Of 71 patients, 50 patients (70.4%) had a MELD score <12 and 21 (29.6%) had a MELD score ≥12. The higher MELD score was associated with increased post-ECMO mortality but reduced risk of dialysis and tracheostomy. In multivariate analysis, higher MELD score (HR 1.35, 95% CI = 1.07-2.75), lower body surface area (HR 0.16, 0.04-0.65), RESP score (HR 0.75, 95% CI = 0.64-0.87), and platelet count (HR 0.99, 95% CI = 0.98-0.99), were significant predictors of postoperative mortality. We conclude that MELD score can be used complementarily to the RESP score to predict outcomes in patients with ARDS undergoing VV ECMO.

The TAPSE/PASP ratio and MELD score in patients with advanced heart failure.

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP) ratio and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in patients with advanced heart failure. A total of 103patients with advanced heart failure evaluated for candidacy for heart transplantation were included in this study. TAPSE was measured by M‑mode echocardiography and cardiac catheterization was performed. TAPSE/ PASP ratio and MELD score were calculated. The median age of patients was 49 (40.5-54) years and the majority were male (92%). The percentage of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy was 40%. The mean value of the group's MELD score was 10 ± 3.3 and the median value of TAPSE/PASP 0.24 (0.18-0.34). There was amoderate negative correlation between TAPSE/PASP and MELD score (r: -0.38, p < 0.001). Right atrial pressure (RAP) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were also negatively correlated with TAPSE/PASP (correlation coefficients were r: -0.562 and r: -0.575, respectively). In patients with a lower TAPSE/PASP ratio, MELD score, LVEDP and RAP were higher and tricuspid regurgitation was more severe, but there were no significant differences between cardiac output (CO) and mean aortic pressure (mean BP). The presence of ischemia was found to be an independent predictor for lower values of TAPSE/PASP. The lower TAPSE/PASP obtained on echocardiography may be a sign of the multi-organ failure defined as a high MELD score in patients with advanced heart failure.

Liver cirrhosis and left ventricle diastolic dysfunction: Systematic review.

BACKGROUNDLiver cirrhosis is a chronic hepatic disease which is associated with cardiovascular abnormalities. Hyperdynamic circulation in liver cirrhosis causes functional and structural cardiac alterations. The prevalence of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in cirrhotic patients ranges from 25.7% to as high as 81.4% as reported in different studies. In several studies the severity of diastolic dysfunction (DD) correlated with a degree of liver failure and the rate of dysfunction was higher in patients with decompensated cirrhosis compared with compensated. Future directions of comprehensive assessment of cardiac function in cirrhotic patients might provide a better prognosis for these patients.AIMTo clarify the correlation between the severity of liver cirrhosis and left ventricle diastolic dysfunction in the existing literature.METHODSThrough January and February of 2019 at Vilnius University we conducted a systematic review of the global existing literature on the prevalence of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis. We searched for articles in PubMed, Medline and Web of science databases. Articles were selected by using adequate inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our interest was the outcome of likely correlation between the severity of cirrhosis [evaluated by Child-Pugh classes, Model For End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores] and left ventricle diastolic dysfunction [classified according to American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines (2009, 2016)], as well as relative risk of dysfunction in cirrhotic patients. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the ratio and grades of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction with respect to cirrhosis severity.RESULTSA total of 1149 articles and abstracts met the initial search criteria. Sixteen articles which met the predefined eligibility criteria were included in the final analysis. Overall, 1067 patients (out of them 723 men) with liver cirrhosis were evaluated for left ventricle diastolic dysfunction. In our systemic analysis we have found that 51.2% of cirrhotic patients had left ventricle diastolic dysfunction diagnosed and the grade 1 was the most prevalent (59.2%, P < 0.001) among them, the grade 3 had been rarely diagnosed - only 5.1%. The data about the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction in cirrhotic patients depending on Child-Pugh Classes was available from 5 studies (365 patients overall) and only in 1 research diastolic dysfunction was found being associated with severity of liver cirrhosis (P < 0.005). We established that diastolic dysfunction was diagnosed in 44.6% of Child-Pugh A class patients, in 62% of Child B class and in 63.3% of Child C patients (P = 0.028). The proportion of patients with higher diastolic dysfunction grades increases in more severe cirrhosis presentation (P < 0.001). There was no difference between mean MELD scores in patients with and without diastolic dysfunction and in different diastolic dysfunction groups. In all studies diastolic dysfunction was more frequent in patients with ascites.CONCLUSIONThis systemic analysis suggests that left ventricle diastolic dysfunction is an attribute of liver cirrhosis which has not received sufficient attention from clinicians so far. Future suggestions of a comprehensive assessment of cardiac function in cirrhotic patients might provide a better prognosis for these patients and give hint for better understanding of the left ventricle diastolic dysfunction pathogenesis in liver cirrhosis.

Macrocytic anemia is associated with the severity of liver impairment in patients with hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis: a retrospective cross-sectional study

BackgroundMacrocytic anemia is common in liver disease. However, its role in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related decompensated cirrhosis remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between macrocytic anemia and the severity of liver impairment in patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis according to the Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.MethodsA total of 463 participants who fulfilled our criteria were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients were classified into three groups according to anemia types, diagnosed based on their mean corpuscular volume level. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine the association between macrocytic anemia and the MELD score for patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis.ResultsPatients with macrocytic anemia had evidently higher MELD scores (10.8 ± 6.6) than those with normocytic anemia (8.0 ± 5.5) or microcytic anemia (6.3 ± 5.1). The association remained robust after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, drinking, and total cholesterol (β = 1.94, CI: 0.81–3.07, P < 0.001).ConclusionsMacrocytic anemia was found to be associated with the severity of liver impairment and might be a predictor for short-term mortality in patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis.

Correlation between model for end-stage liver disease score and prognosis in mushroom poisoning patients: a multicenter clinical study

To find out the clinical indicators related to prognosis in patients with acute mushroom poisoning, and approach its correlation with prognosis. Clinical data of patients with mushroom poisoning admitted to the First Hospital of China Medical University, the Ninth People's Hospital of Shenyang, Xiuyan Central People's Hospital, and Fushun Central Hospital from August 2015 to August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The biochemical indicators within 24 hours after admission, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, whether plasmapheresis (PE) was carried out or not and 28-day prognosis of patients were collected. According to prognosis, the patients were divided into death group and survival group, and the differences in above parameters between the two groups were compared. Spearman or Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the relationship between MELD score and prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the prognostic value of MELD score for prognosis. Further analysis of the patients receiving PE treatment was conducted. A total of four Liaoning hospitals with 89 patients with mushroom poisoning were enrolled, with 6 died within 28 days, and 83 survived. There were 17 patients with severely impaired liver and coagulant functions accepted PE treatment, with 6 patients died within 28 days, and 11 survived. (1) In 89 patients, compared with survival group, MELD score, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), total bilirubin (TBil), international normalized ratio (INR), blood glucose (Glu), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in death group were significantly increased [MELD score: 32.34 (28.31, 41.06) vs. 8.76 (3.77, 21.19), PT (s): 53.5 (52.4, 113.2) vs. 14.5 (13.8, 19.5), APTT (s): 58.6 (48.9, 70.8) vs. 36.9 (34.4, 43.2), TBil (μmol/L): 134.8 (31.3, 155.6) vs. 21.5 (15.1, 41.4), INR: 6.0 (5.6, 14.7) vs. 1.2 (1.1, 1.5), Glu (mmol/L): 9.2 (9.0, 11.0) vs. 6.6 (5.7, 7.8), ALT (U/L): 5 923.0 (1 105.0, 6 000.0) vs. 35.0 (18.0, 1 767.0), GGT (U/L): 49.0 (32.0, 57.0) vs. 25.0 (16.0, 41.0), all P < 0.05], but the prothrombin activity (PTA), albumin (ALB), serum Na+, Cl- were significantly decreased [PTA: 13.0% (6.0%, 14.0%) vs. 80.0% (61.0%, 87.0%), ALB (g/L): 31.1 (29.8, 39.0) vs. 42.4 (37.9, 44.3), Na+ (mmol/L): 126.5 (122.4, 131.0) vs. 137.0 (134.9, 141.0), Cl- (mmol/L): 93.5 (87.6, 95.0) vs. 104.0 (101.3, 106.0), all P < 0.05]. Spearson correlation analysis showed that MELD score of patients with mushroom poisoning was positively correlated with the 28-day mortality (r = 0.423, P = 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of MELD score for prognosis of patients with mushroom poisoning was 0.926; when the cut-off value was 27.30, the sensitivity was 100%, and the specificity was 84.3%. (2) In 17 patients who accepted PE treatment, compared with survival group, the MELD score, TBil, Glu, and ALT in the death group were significantly increased [MELD score: 36.81±5.18 vs. 29.01±5.23, TBil (μmol/L): 145.2±13.9 vs. 93.2±44.0, Glu (mmol/L): 9.1±1.9 vs. 6.0±2.7, ALT (U/L): 5 961.5±44.5 vs. 3 932.9±1 625.7, all P < 0.05], and Cl- was significantly lowered (mmol/L: 94.3±1.2 vs. 100.5±5.7, P < 0.05), but SOFA score showed no significant difference (5.83±2.71 vs. 5.91±1.58, P > 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the MELD score in patients with mushroom poisoning who accepted PE treatment was positively correlated with 28-day mortality (r = 0.355, P = 0.001), but no correlation with SOFA score was found (r = 0.427, P = 0.087). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of MELD score in the prediction of mushroom poisoning patients undergoing PE treatment was 0.545; when the cut-off value was 32.19, the sensitivity was 33.3%, and the specificity was 100%. In mushroom poisoning patients, especially those undergoing PE treatment, the higher the MELD score, the higher the mortality is. MELD score could assess the prognosis of patients with acute mushroom poisoning.

Usefulness of Cardiac MetaIodobenzylguanidine Imaging to Improve Prognostic Power of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Scoring System in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Chronic Heart Failure

Liver dysfunction has a prognostic impact on the outcomes of patients with advanced heart failure (HF). The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score is a robust system for rating liver dysfunction, and a high score has been shown to be associated with a poor prognosis in ambulatory patients with HF. In addition, cardiac metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging provides prognostic information in patients with chronic HF (CHF). However, the long-term predictive value of combining the MELD score and cardiac MIBG imaging in patients with CHF has not been elucidated. To prospectively investigate whether cardiac MIBG imaging provides additional prognostic value to the MELD score in patients with mild-to-moderate CHF, we studied 109 CHF outpatients (New York Heart Association: 2.0 ± 0.6) with left ventricular ejection fraction <40%. At enrollment, an MELD score was obtained, and the heart-to-mediastinal ratio on delayed imaging and MIBG washout rate (WR) were measured using cardiac MIBG scintigraphy. During a follow-up period of 7.5 ± 4.2years, 36 of 109 patients experienced cardiac death (CD). On multivariate Cox analysis, MELD score and WR were significantly independently associated with CD, although heart-to-mediastinal ratio showed an association with CD only on univariate Cox analysis. Patients with abnormal WR (>27%) had a significantly greater risk of CD than those with normal WR in both those with high MELD scores (≥10; hazard ratio 4.0 [1.2 to 13.6]) and with low MELD scores (<10; hazard ratio 6.4 [1.7 to 23.2]). In conclusion, cardiac MIBG imaging would provide additional prognostic information to the MELD score in patients with mild-to-moderate CHF.

MELD score predicts outcome of patients with advanceed hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib

Introduction: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was initially created to predict survival in patients with complications from portal hypertension submitted to elective placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS). It is calculated using a mathematical formula incorporating 3 routine blood test results (serum creatinine, bilirubin, and INR). The score was subsequently validated as a predictor of survival in several independent cohorts of patients with varying degrees of liver disease severity, but not in patients treated with sorafenib. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive value of the pre-sorafenib MELD score in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Metabolomics studies identify novel diagnostic and prognostic indicators in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

To identify plasma analytes using metabolomics that correlate with the diagnosis and severity of liver disease in patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH). We prospectively recruited patients with cirrhosis from AH (n = 23) and those with cirrhosis with acute decompensation (AD) from etiologies other than alcohol (n = 25). We used mass spectrometry to identify 29 metabolic compounds in plasma samples from fasted subjects. A receiver operating characteristics analysis was performed to assess the utility of biomarkers in distinguishing acute AH from alcoholic cirrhosis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to build a predictive model for AH based on clinical characteristics. A survival analysis was used to construct Kaplan Meier curves evaluating transplant-free survival. A comparison of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)-adjusted metabolomics levels between cirrhosis patients who had AD or AH showed that patients with AH had significantly higher levels of betaine, and lower creatinine, phenylalanine, homocitrulline, citrulline, tyrosine, octenoyl-carnitine, and symmetric dimethylarginine. When considering combined levels, betaine and citrulline were highly accurate predictors for differentiation between AH and AD (area under receiver operating characteristics curve = 0.84). The plasma levels of carnitine [0.54 (0.18, 0.91); P = 0.005], homocitrulline [0.66 (0.34, 0.99); P < 0.001] and pentanoyl-carnitine [0.53 (0.16, 0.90); P = 0.007] correlated with MELD scores in patients diagnosed with AH. Increased levels of many biomarkers (carnitine P = 0.005, butyrobetaine P = 0.32, homocitrulline P = 0.002, leucine P = 0.027, valine P = 0.024, phenylalanine P = 0.037, tyrosine P = 0.012, acetyl-carnitine P = 0.006, propionyl-carnitine P = 0.03, butyryl-carnitine P = 0.03, trimethyl-lisine P = 0.034, pentanoyl-carnitine P = 0.03, hexanoyl-carnitine P = 0.026) were associated with increased mortality in patients with AH. Metabolomics plasma analyte levels might be used to diagnose of AH or help predict patient prognoses.

Intraportal Infusion of Bone Marrow Mononuclear or CD133+ Cells in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

The present study assessed the effects of intraportal infusions of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (MNCs) and/or CD133+ cells on liver function in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. We randomly assigned 27 eligible patients to a placebo, MNCs, and/or CD133+ cells. Cell infusions were performed at baseline and month 3. We considered the absolute changes in the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores at months 3 and 6 after infusion as the primary outcome. The participants and those who assessed the outcomes were unaware of the treatment intervention assignments. After 6 months, 9 patients were excluded because of liver transplantation (n=3), hepatocellular carcinoma (n=1), loss to follow-up (n=3), and death (n=2). The final analysis included 4 patients from the CD133+ group, 8 from the MNC group, and 6 from the placebo group. No improvement was seen in the MELD score at month 6 using either CD133+ cells or MNC infusions compared with placebo. However, at month 3 after infusion, a trend was seen toward a higher mean absolute change in the MELD score in patients who had received CD133+ cells compared with placebo (-2.00±1.87 vs. -0.13±1.46; p=.08). No significant adverse events occurred in the present study. A transient improvement in the MELD score was observed in subjects treated with CD133+ cells but not in the MNC or placebo group. Although the study was not powered to make definitive conclusions, the data justify further study of CD133+ therapy in cirrhotic patients. Cell therapy is a new approach in liver disease. Several clinical experiments have been reported on the safety of bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat liver disorders. However, the effectiveness of these approaches in the long-term follow-ups of patients initiated controversial discussions among the scientific community. A double-blind randomized controlled trial was designed to address this concern scientifically. A transient improvement in the patients' signs occurred; however, for a sustainable result, more work is needed. The results of multiple administrations of cells reported in the present study can be compared with the results from other single-injection studies.

Abstract 19685: Liver Dysfunction as Reflected by MELD (the Model For End Stage Liver Disease) Score Could Better Predict Postoperative Outcome in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery than Child-Turcotte-Pugh Classification

Background: Liver dysfunction increases postoperative morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery. Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) classification had been used in the evaluation of liver function. More recently, the composite model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score has become recognized as a more robust and objective scoring system than CTP classification. However, the predictive power of CTP and MELD scores for postoperative outcome in patients undergoing cardiac surgery has not yet been fully elucidated. Methods and Results: Postoperative outcome and preoperative liver function estimated by the CTP classification or the MELD scores were investigated in 1856 consecutive patients (69.3% male, age 66. 8±12.2 years) undergoing cardiac surgery between 2010 and 2013 at our institution. The proportions of patients in CTP class A, B and C were 91.8% (n=1704), 8.1% (n=151) and 0.05% (n=1); and mean MELD scores in patients in each CTP class were 9.4, 15.5 and 36.7, respectively. A MELD cutoff value of 12 can predict postoperative mortality with a sensitivity and specificity of 78.7 and 63.9%, respectively, with an area under the curve (AUC) from the ROC analysis of 0.75248 (p&lt;0.0001). Child class B/C predicts morality with a sensitivity and specificity of 23.7 and 92.2%. High MELD score (&gt;12) was associated with longer intubation time (33.6±5.1 vs. 12.2±2.7 hours, p&lt;0.0001), longer ICU (4.8±0.3 vs. 2.2±0.2 days, p&lt;0.0001) and total-hospital stay (34.5±1.0 vs. 22.8±0.6 days, p&lt;0.0001) and more incidence of renal replacement therapy requirement (46.0 vs. 4.4%, p&lt;0.0001) than those with low MELD scores (&lt;12). The predictive strength of the MELD, MELD component variables and CTP class (B/C vs. A) were quantitatively compared based on AUC by using the DeLong test, which revealed that MELD score was the strongest predictor for morality (pairwise comparison, all p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: Assessment of liver dysfunction using the MELD scoring system is useful for predicting postoperative morality and morbidity following cardiac surgery. MELD scoring system was a stronger predictor for morality than CTP classification.

Liver Volume in the Cirrhotic Patient: Does Size Matter?

While it is established that cirrhosis results in a decrease in liver volume (LV), whether LV itself predicts patient survival is unknown. We hypothesize that estimated LV is an important prognostic indicator in patients with cirrhosis. Data was gathered retrospectively from consecutive patients evaluated for a liver transplant from January 2001 to June 2006. Of 500 patients identified, 323 patients met both inclusion and exclusion criteria. LV per ideal body weight (IBW) was used to correct for body size, and LV/IBW was stratified by median split for survival analyses. Patients were classified into one of three clinical groups: hepatocellular disease (n = 229), cholestatic disease (n = 56), and miscellaneous (n = 38). One of three possible clinical outcomes (survival, liver transplantation, or death) was recorded during the 5-year follow-up, the latter two grouped together as "transplant/death." Transplant/death occurred in 283 (88 %) subjects. Overall, there was a significant increase in transplant/death in those with lower LV/IBW (χ(2) = 5.27, p = 0.022). When considering the subset with hepatocellular disease, lower LV/IBW was a robust predictor of transplant/death (χ(2) = 9.62, p = 0.002). In multivariate analyses, the LV/IBW trended toward predicting transplant/death (ExpB = 0.943, p = 0.053) independent of Model for End stage Liver Disease (MELD) (ExpB = 1.13, p = 0.001). LV has important predictive value in patients with cirrhosis from hepatocellular disease. This observation appears to be independent of MELD, suggesting LV may impart important prognostic information that is not captured by the MELD score alone. Thus, LV may serve as an important adjunct to the MELD score in patients with hepatocellular disease.

Prognostic value of procalcitonin, endotoxin and common inflammatory markers combining MELD score in patients with chronic severe hepatitis

To evaluate the mid-term prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT), endotoxin and common inflammatory markers combining the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in patients with chronic severe hepatitis. A total of 124 chronic severe hepatitis patients were enrolled, who were hospitalized in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from May 2011 to December 2011. Indexes of inflammation, liver and kidney function tests and MELD were determined within 24 h after the admission, and blood samples were collected for measurement of endotoxin , procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactin protein (CRP). The outcome was confirmed after discharge follow-up at the end of the 3rd month. According to the outcome, the 124 patients were divided into a survival group (n=58) and a death group(n=66). 1) Of the 124 patients, 66 died and 58 survived, with statistical difference in age, MELD score, white blood cell (WBC), polymorphonuclear (PMN), CRP and PCT by single factor analysis between the 2 groups(P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that age, MELD scores and PCT were highly correlated with the outcome (OR=1.07, 1.42 and 1.02 respectively, P<0.05), which could be used to predict the 3 month mid-term mortality of chronic severe hepatitis. 2)There was significant correlation between the MELD scores and the mid-term mortality. Age was positively correlated with the MELD score, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.21 (P<0.05). PCT was also positively correlated with the MELD, and Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.54 (P<0.01). 3)According to the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve analysis , the area under the curve (AUC) of MELD score and PCT were 0.91 and 0.77 respectively, higher than those of other indexes (P<0.01). When the MELD score was up to 30.09 or higher, the predicted mortality risk among these tested patients was the highest(82.26%). The mortality risk predicted by PCT combining MELD score and PCT alone was lower than by MELD score alone (75.00%), but the specificity of MELD score combining PCT was 100%, and the positive prediction value was 1.00. Endotoxin and common inflammatory markers (WBC, PMN, and CRP) are not reliable indicators to predict the prognosis in patients with chronic-severe hepatitis. MELD score is significantly correlated with the outcome of mid-term chronic severe hepatitis, PCT and age are both positively correlated with the MELD score. PCT and age combining MELD score can be used to predict the 3 month mid-term mortality of chronic severe hepatitis. MELD score has better prognostic value than PCT. MELD score combining PCT can improve the specificity of prediction.

Blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio independently predicts survival in patients with liver cirrhosis

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel inflammation index that has been shown to independently predict poor clinical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the role of NLR in the prediction of long-term mortality in patients with stable liver cirrhosis. This is a retrospective observational cohort study in which 145 stable cirrhotic patients without infection, hepatocellular carcinoma, and ongoing steroid therapy were enrolled between January 2009 and December 2011. The primary end point was survival during follow-up. NLR along with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, and Charlson comorbidity index were assessed for the prediction of mortality. There were 86 men and 59 women, mean age 58.9±13.4 years. The etiologies of liver cirrhosis included viral hepatitis (n=73), cryptogenic (50), alcoholic (12), and other (10). The mean follow-up duration was 27.8±6.8 months, during which 40 patients died. The mean NLRs were 2.08±0.99 and 4.39±3.0 in surviving and nonsurviving patients, respectively (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was carried out according to the median NLR above and below 2.72. Patients with NLR of at least 2.72 had a significantly lower survival (log rank, P<0.001). NLR was found to be an independent predictor of mortality in all Cox Regression models (odds ratio 1.2; 95% confidence interval 1.2-1.3; P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that cut-off values of 4.22, 3.07, and 2.96 for NLR predicted 12, 24, and 36-month mortality, respectively (AUC: 0.806, P=0.0029; 0.841, P<0.0001 and 0.783, P<0.0001, respectively). NLR is a predictor of mortality independent of CTP and MELD scores in patients with liver cirrhosis. NLR could predict mortality in the subgroup of patients with low MELD scores as well.

Indocyanine green clearance test (using spectrophotometry) and its correlation with Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score in Indian patients with cirrhosis of liver

Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP) score and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) are used commonly to assess the prognosis of liver disease but the disadvantage of these static tests is their inability to identify the functional reserve of the liver. Among all quantitative liver function tests indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test is most widely used and has been used to determine operative risk before hepatectomy and to assess prognosis of patients with cirrhosis. To correlate indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test with MELD score in patients with cirrhosis of liver. Forty patients with cirrhosis of liver were included and divided into two groups according to their CTP scores. Group A had 20 patients with CTP class A and group B had 20 patients with CTP class B. After ICG injection, ICG retention at 15 minutes (ICGR 15) and ICG clearance rate were calculated. In group A, the mean ICGR15 was 32.86% +/- 6.4% while in group B it was 51.08% +/-12.8% (p <0.001). ICG clearance rates were 4.3% +/- 2.8% and 3.5% +/- 3.8% per minute in group A and B respectively. MELD score had a strong positive correlation with ICGR15 but a negative correlation with ICG clearance rate. On ROC curve analysis, AUC for MELD was 0.805 vs. 0.88 for ICGR15 in assessing prognosis of patients with cirrhosis. The sensitivity and specificity of MELD score was 60% and 80% respectively while that of ICGR15 was 85% and 90% respectively. ICGR15 has a higher sensitivity and specificity than MELD score in assessing the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis of liver.

Autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in liver failure patients caused by hepatitis B: Short-term and long-term outcomes

Our study aimed to investigate the short-term efficacy and long-term prognosis of liver failure patients caused by hepatitis B after a single transplantation with autologous marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MMSCs). A total of 527 inpatients with liver failure caused by hepatitis B were recruited and received the same medical treatments, among whom 53 patients underwent a single transplantation with autologous MMSCs. A total of 105 patients matched for age, sex, and biochemical indexes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, total bilirubin (TBIL), prothrombin time (PT), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), comprised the control group. A total of 120 mL of bone marrow was obtained from each patient and then diluted and separated. Then, the MMSC suspension was slowly transfused into the liver through the proper hepatic artery. The success rate of transplantation was 100%, without serious side effects or complications. Levels of ALB, TBIL, and PT and MELD score of patients in the transplantation group were markedly improved from 2-3 weeks after transplantation, compared with those in the control group. At 192 weeks of follow-up, there were no dramatic differences in incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or mortality between the two groups. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the incidence of HCC or mortality between patients with and without cirrhosis in the transplantation group. Autologous MMSC transplantation is safe for liver failure patients caused by chronic hepatitis B. Short-term efficacy was favorable, but long-term outcomes were not markedly improved. In respect to several parameters, this method is preferable for patients with liver cirrhosis and may have potential for reducing their incidence of HCC and mortality.