Simultaneous Pancreas-kidney Transplant Recipients Research Articles

Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma After Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation: Fatal Outcomes.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, highly aggressive cutaneous malignancy. Immunosuppression increases the risk of MCC and is associated with poor prognosis. Organ transplant recipients (OTR) have worse overall survival (OS) than patients with immunosuppression due to other causes. Treating MCC after organ transplantation is challenging, as checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, the standard of care for treating MCC, increases the risk of transplant rejection. This paper reviews the cases of two simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPKT) recipients with MCC and explores the role of immunosuppression in the development of MCC. Immunosuppression was discontinued and checkpoint inhibitor therapy was initiated in the first patient and considered by the second patient. In both cases, treatment failed, and the patients died shortly after developing metastatic MCC. These cases illustrate the need for improved multidisciplinary treatment regimens for MCC in OTRs. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(5):376-377.     doi:10.36849/JDD.8234 &nbsp.

O236: The Impact of HLA Matching on Pancreas and Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney (SPK) Transplantation Outcomes

Abstract Background This study evaluates the controversial impact of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching on pancreas graft survival and acute rejection. Methods Utilizing a large-scale multi-center database (UNOS/OPTN), we identified 8,005 pancreas and 7,850 simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant patients. Patients were classified into HLA matched (0-3 mismatches) and mismatched (4-6 mismatches) groups. Subsequently, utilizing multivariate Cox analysis, we evaluated risk-adjusted outcomes, represented through Kaplan-Meier survival curves. We also examined differences in graft survival and acute rejection based on transplant type (SPK or pancreas alone) within the same HLA mismatch group. Findings There were no significant differences in pancreas graft survival or acute rejection observed between HLA matched and mismatched groups for both pancreas and SPK transplant recipients (P > 0.05). However, among HLA mismatched patients, pancreas patients exhibited a 629-day lower pancreas graft survival than SPK patients (3774 vs. 4403 days, P < 0.001) and had a higher likelihood of experiencing acute rejection post-transplant (P < 0.001). Similarly, within the HLA matched groups, pancreas patients showed lower graft survival compared to SPK patients (3774 vs. 4403 days, P < 0.001); however, their acute rejection rates did not significantly differ (P > 0.05). Interpretation Although HLA matching was not associated with improved pancreas graft survival or a reduction in acute rejection, the results suggest a potential protective effect of the kidney in SPK transplants against the consequences of HLA mismatching. This underscores the clinical significance of considering the kidney component in donor-recipient matching for pancreas transplantation.

O169: The impact of time to death in donors after circulatory death on recipient outcome in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Abstract Background Agonal times can vary between organ donors after circulatory death (DCD) following withdrawal of treatment, which leads to variable warm ischaemic damage to pancreas grafts. Currently there is little evidence supporting procurement team standdown times based on donor time to death (TTD). We examined what impact TTD had on pancreas graft outcomes following DCD transplantation. Methods Data were extracted from the UK transplant registry from 2014 to 2022. TTD was defined as withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment to donor asystole; asystolic time was the time from asystole to aortic perfusion. Predictors of graft loss were fitted into a Cox proportional hazards model. Adjusted restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were generated to further delineate the relationship between TTD and outcome. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results 375 DCD simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant recipients were included. Median TTD was 13-minutes (IQR 10 to 16-minutes), median asystolic time was 13-minutes (IQR 11 to 15-minutes). Increasing TTD was not associated with poorer graft survival (aHR 0.98, 95% CI 0.68-1.41, P=0.901). Increasing asystolic time was significantly associated with worse graft survival in the TTD model (aHR 2.51, 95%CI 1.16-5.43, P=0.020). RCS modelling confirmed there was no relationship between TTD and graft survival, however a non-linear relationship was demonstrated between asystolic time and graft survival. Conclusion We found no evidence that TTD impacts pancreas graft survival in DCD SPK transplantation, however increasing asystolic time was significant predictors of graft loss. Procurement teams should attempt to minimise asystolic time to reduce ischaemic injury to the pancreas graft.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Posttransplant Erythrocytosis Among Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Posttransplant erythrocytosis (PTE) is a well-known complication of kidney transplantation. However, the risk and outcomes of PTE among simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPKT) recipients are poorly described. We analyzed all SPKT recipients at our center between 1998 and 2021. PTE was defined as at least 2 consecutive hematocrit levels of >51% within the first 2 y of transplant. Controls were selected at a ratio of 3:1 at the time of PTE occurrence using event density sampling. Risk factors for PTE and post-PTE graft survival were identified. Of 887 SPKT recipients, 108 (12%) developed PTE at a median of 273 d (interquartile range, 160-393) after transplantation. The incidence rate of PTE was 7.5 per 100 person-years. Multivariate analysis found pretransplant dialysis (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67-5.92; P < 0.001), non-White donor (HR: 2.14; 95% CI, 1.25-3.66; P = 0.01), female donor (HR: 1.50; 95% CI, 1.0-2.26; P = 0.05), and male recipient (HR: 2.33; 95% CI, 1.43-3.70; P = 0.001) to be associated with increased risk. The 108 cases of PTE were compared with 324 controls. PTE was not associated with subsequent pancreas graft failure (HR: 1.36; 95% CI, 0.51-3.68; P = 0.53) or kidney graft failure (HR: 1.16; 95% CI, 0.40-3.42; P = 0.78). PTE is a common complication among SPKT recipients, even in the modern era of immunosuppression. PTE among SPKT recipients was not associated with adverse graft outcomes, likely due to appropriate management.

Infection-Related Hospitalizations After Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation Compared to Kidney Transplantation Alone.

The total burden of infections after transplantation has not been compared in detail between recipients of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) and kidney transplantation alone (KTA). We compared infection-related hospitalizations and bacteremias after transplantation during 1- and 5-year follow-up among 162 patients undergoing SPK. The control group consisted of 153 type 1 diabetics undergoing KTA with the inclusion criteria of donor and recipient age < 60, and BMI < 30. During the first year, SPK patients had more infection-related hospitalizations (0.54 vs. 0.31 PPY, IRR 1.76, p = <0.001) and bacteremias (0.11 vs. 0.01 PPY, IRR 17.12, p = <0.001) compared to KTA patients. The first infection-related hospitalizations and bacteremias occurred later during follow-up in KTA patients. SPK was an independent risk factor for infection-related hospitalization and bacteremia during the first year after transplantation, but not during the 5-year follow-up. Patient survival did not differ between groups, however, KTA patients had inferior kidney graft survival. SPK patients are at greater risk for infection-related hospitalizations and bacteremias during the first year after transplantation compared to KTA patients, however, at the end of the follow-up the risk of infection was similar between groups.

318.2: Does dialysis modality or duration influence outcomes in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients in the modern era?

318.2: Does dialysis modality or duration influence outcomes in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients in the modern era?

Pancreatic Allograft Thrombosis: Implementation of the CPAT-Grading System in a Retrospective Series of Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation.

Pancreatic graft thrombosis (PAT) is a major surgical complication, potentially leading to graft loss. The recently proposed Cambridge Pancreas Allograft Thrombosis (CPAT) grading system provides diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic recommendations. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively assess computed tomography angiography (CTA) examinations performed routinely in simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) recipients to implement the CPAT grading system and to study its association with the recipients' outcomes. We retrospectively studied 319 SPK transplant recipients, who underwent a routine CTA within the first 7 postoperative days. Analysis of the CTA scans revealed PAT in 215 patients (106 grade 1, 85 grade 2, 24 grade 3), while 104 showed no signs. Demographic data of the patients with and without PAT (thrombosis and non-thrombosis group) were not significantly different, except for the higher number of male donors in the thrombosis group. Pancreatic graft survival was significantly shorter in the thrombosis group. Graft loss due to PAT was significantly associated with grade 2 and 3 thrombosis, while it did not differ for recipients with grade 0 or grade 1 thrombosis. In conclusion, the CPAT grading system was successfully implemented in a large series of SPK transplant recipients and proved applicable in clinical practice.

Analysis of Individual Components of Frailty in Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney, and Solitary Pancreas Transplant Recipients.

It is not known which of the 5 components of the Fried frailty score have the most predictive value for outcomes in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK) and solitary pancreas transplant (SPT) recipients. In this study, we sought to investigate the association between pretransplant overall frailty and individual frailty components, with posttransplant outcomes among SPK and SPT recipients. Outcomes of interest were length of stay, kidney delayed graft function (K-DGF), readmission within 30 d after discharge, cardiovascular events, acute rejection, pancreas death-censored graft failure (DCGF), kidney DCGF, and death. Of the individual frailty components among SPK (n = 113), only slow walk time was associated with an increased risk of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.99; P = 0.03). Among SPT (n = 49), higher sum frailty scores (coefficient correlation 0.29; P = 0.04) and weight loss (coefficient correlation  = 0.30; P = 0.03) were associated with prolonged length of stay. Similarly, weight loss among SPT was associated with an increased risk of DCGF (aOR: 4.34; P = 0.049). Low grip strength was strongly associated with an increased risk of early readmission (aOR: 13.08; P = 0.008). We found that not all components of frailty contribute equally to predicting outcomes. Objective measurements of slow walk time, unintentional weight loss, and low grip strength were found to be associated with less optimal outcomes in pancreas transplant recipients. Targeted interventions may improve posttransplant outcomes.

SP5.12 Pancreas Graft Outcome dictates the Renal Graft outcomes and overall patient survival in Simultaneous Kidney Pancreas (SPK) Transplant recipients. A UNOS/OPTN Transplant Registry Big Data Analysis over the last 20 years. An Epidemiology In Transplant Study Group (ETrSG) Initiative

Abstract Purpose Pancreatic graft outcomes affect the cumulative outcomes of SPK transplant, yet the impact of pancreas graft loss on renal graft and overall patient survival is yet to be reported. Methods We harmonized the UNOS/OPTN SPK Transplant data (1996-2019) reported to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services to analyze survival outcomes of recipients who had all cause pancreas graft loss. The demographics report and survival analysis (renal graft/ patient survival) at 1,3, and 5 years post-transplant were data mined. Logistic Regression was done to identify predictors of survival. Results N=7036 all-cause pancreatic graft losses were reported from a cohort of N=64815 SPK Transplant recipients during the first five years of transplant. The renal graft survival was 99%, 97%, and 95% in functioning SPK transplant; 77%, 68%, and 54% in recipients with pancreatic graft loss at 1,3, and 5 years respectively. (Log-rank &amp;lt;0.001). The overall patient survival was 84%, 75%, and 66% in recipients with pancreatic graft loss at 1,3, and 5 years, respectively (Log-rank &amp;lt;0.001). Recipient age &amp;gt;45 years (p=0.008), recipient smoking history ( p&amp;lt;0.001), recipient history of hypertension ( p&amp;lt; 0.001), Recipient BMI &amp;gt;30 (p=0.01), cardiac events ( p=0.02) were the variables of importance on univariate analysis affecting renal graft and patient survival. Recipients with functioning Pancreas had a renal transplant survival benefit (0.22; 0.45) at 1 and 5 years &amp; overall patient survival (0.15; 0.33) at 1 and 5 years respectively. Conclusions Functioning pancreas graft confers survival benefit to renal graft and overall patient survival. The survival deteriorates over time since pancreas graft failure.

Impact of early corticosteroid withdrawal on simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant long-term outcomes: Single center experience and comparison to the International Pancreas Transplant Registry.

There remains a paucity of modern data comparing early steroid withdrawal (ESW) versus chronic corticosteroid (CCS) immunosuppression in simultaneous pancreas kidney (SPK) transplant recipients with long-term follow-up. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of ESW compared to CCS post-SPK. This was a retrospective single-center matched comparison with the International Pancreas Transplant Registry (IPTR). Patients from University of Illinois Hospital (UIH) represented the ESW group and were compared to those matched CCS patients from the IPTR. Included patients were adult recipients of a primary SPK transplant between 2003 and 2018 within the US receiving rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin induction. Patients were excluded if they had early technical failures, missing IPTR data, graft thrombosis, re-transplant, or positive crossmatch SPK. A total of 156 patients were matched and included in the analysis. Patients were predominantly African American (46.15%) males (64.1%) with Type 1 diabetes etiology (92.31%). Overall pancreas allograft survival (hazard ratio [HR] = .89, 95% confidence interval [CI] .34-2.30, p = .81) and kidney allograft survival (HR = .80, 95%CI .32-2.03, p = .64) were similar between the two groups. Immunologic pancreas allograft loss was statistically similar at 1-year (ESW 1.3% vs. CCS 0%, p = .16), 5-year (ESW 1.3% vs. CCS 7.7%, p = .16), and 10-year (ESW 11.0% vs. CCS 7.7%, p = .99). The 1-year (ESW 2.6% vs. CCS 0%, p>.05), 5-year (ESW 8.3% vs. CCS 7.0%, p>.05), and 10-year (ESW 22.7% vs. CCS 9.9%, p = .2575) immunologic kidney allograft loss were also statistically similar. There was no difference in 10-year overall patient survival (ESW 76.2% vs. CCS 65.6%, p = .63). No differences were found between allograft or patient survival post-SPK when comparing an ESW or CCS protocol. Future assessment is needed to determine differences in metabolic outcomes.

Favorable outcomes in Hispanic recipients receiving simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation.

The objective of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of Hispanic versus white recipients who underwent simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation (SPKT). This single-center study, conducted from 2003 to 2022, had a median follow-up of 7.5years. The study included 91 Hispanic and 202 white SPKT recipients. The mean age (44 vs. 46years), percentage of males (67% vs. 58%), and body mass index (BMI) (25.6 vs. 25.3kg/m2 ) were similar between the Hispanic and white groups. The Hispanic group had more recipients with type 2 diabetes (38%) compared to the white group (5%, p<.001). The duration of dialysis was longer in Hispanics (640 vs. 473days, p=.02), and fewer patients received preemptive transplants (10% vs. 29%, p<.01) compared to whites. Hospital length of stay, rates of BK Viremia, and acute rejection episodes within 1year were similar between the groups. The estimated 5-year kidney, pancreas, and patient survival rates were also similar between the groups, 94%, 81%, and 95% in Hispanics, compared to 90%, 79%, and 90% in whites. Increasing age and longer duration of dialysis were risk factors for death. Although Hispanic recipients had a longer duration on dialysis and fewer preemptive transplants, the survival rates were similar to those of white recipients. However, referring providers and many transplant centers continue to overlook pancreas transplants for appropriately selected patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly among minority populations. As a transplant community, it is crucial that we make efforts to comprehend and tackle these obstacles to transplantation.

Does dialysis modality or duration influence outcomes in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients? Single center experience and review of the literature.

The influence of dialysis modality and duration on outcomes following simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) remains uncertain. We performed a single-center retrospective review in 255 SPKT recipients according to dialysis modality (55 preemptive/no dialysis-ND, 70 peritoneal dialysis-PD, 130 hemodialysis-HD) and duration (55 none, 137<2 years, 41 2-4 years, 22>4 years). Mean follow-up was 9.4 years (median 9.2 years). Early (3-month) relaparotomy rate (20% ND vs. 36% PD/HD, p=.03) was lower in ND patients. There were no differences in early graft loss, patient survival, overall or death-censored kidney or pancreas graft survival rates (GSR) at 1 or 10 years follow-up. When analyzing dialysis duration, there were no differences in rates of pancreas thrombosis or early pancreas graft loss. Kidney delayed graft function (DGF) was lower in the ND/short dialysis groups combined (1.0%), compared to the intermediate/long dialysis groups combined (9.5%, p=.003). Early relaparotomy rates were higher with longer duration of dialysis (p=.045 between ND and >4 years of dialysis). Patient survival in the long dialysis group was 50% compared to 69.5% in the other three groups combined (p=.09). However, both overall and death-censored kidney and pancreas GSR were comparable. Preemptively transplanted patients had a lower incidence of kidney DGF and relaparotomy whereas patient survival was slightly lower with longer dialysis vintage prior to SPKT. Dialysis modality and duration did not influence either overall or death-censored pancreas or kidney GSR in patients with short waiting times, low KDPI donor organs, and dialysis duration up to 4 years.

An Initial Analysis of the Baseline Levels of Dd-cfDNA After Pancreas Transplantation: A Prospective Study From High-volume Centers in the United States.

One hundred eighty-one dd-cfDNA samples (n) were collected from 77 patients (N) up to 132 mo posttransplant. The median dd-cfDNA level among all subjects was 0.28% (0.13%, 0.71%). In simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant recipients, the median dd-cfDNA level was 0.29% (0.13%, 0.71%), and it was 0.23% (0.08%, 0.71%) in pancreas transplant alone (PTA) recipients. When isolating for when without infection or rejection, the median dd-cfDNA level was 0.28% (0.13%, 0.64%) for SPK and 0.20% (0.00%, 0.32%) for PTA. Both transplant types approached 1.0% ≤1 mo posttransplant followed by a decrease in median dd-cfDNA. During episodes of rejection or infection, median dd-cfDNA levels were greater among all transplant types. The mean dd-cfDNA level for all pancreas transplant recipients is <1.0%, consistent with the published kidney transplant rejection threshold (>1.0%), regardless of SPK or PTA. Early posttransplant dd-cfDNA levels are transiently higher than later measurements. Dd-cfDNA elevation also correlates with rejection and infection and thus is a promising biomarker for surveilling pancreas transplant dysfunction.

The influence of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation on the evolution of diabetic foot lesions and peripheral arterial disease.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) remains the best treatment option in patients with type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney failure. There are only a few studies addressing the potential ischemic deterioration of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) due to blood diverting from the iliac artery to the kidney graft. We aimed to evaluate diabetic foot lesions and PAD evolution in SPKT recipients and investigate if they are more frequent in ipsilateral lower limb of kidney graft. We developed a retrospective cohort, including patients submitted to SPKT in our tertiary center, between 2000 and 2017. Diabetic foot lesions and PAD frequencies were compared in the period before and after transplantation. Two hundred and eleven patients were included, 50.2% (n = 106) female, with a median age at transplantation of 35years (IQR 9). After a median follow-up period of 10years (IQR 7), patient, kidney, and pancreatic graft survival were 90.5% (n = 191), 83.4% (n = 176), and 74.9% (n = 158), respectively. Before transplant, 2.8% (n = 6) had PAD and 5.3% (n = 11) had history of foot lesions. In post-transplant period, 17.1% (n = 36) patients presented PAD and 25.6% (n = 54) developed diabetic foot ulcers, 47.6% (n = 35) of which in the ipsilateral and 53.3% (n = 40) in the contralateral lower limb of the kidney graft (p = 0.48). Nine patients (4.3%) underwent major lower limb amputation, 3 (30%) ipsilateral and 7 (70%) contralateral to the kidney graft (p = 0.29). Diabetic foot lesions were not more frequent in the ipsilateral lower limb of the kidney graft, therefore downgrading the 'steal syndrome' role in these patients.

Immune Profiling of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells at Pancreas Acute Rejection Episodes in Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Recipients.

Profiling of circulating immune cells provides valuable insight to the pathophysiology of acute rejection in organ transplantation. Herein we characterized the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant recipients. We conducted a retrospective analysis in a biopsy-matched cohort (n = 67) and compared patients with biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR; 41%) to those without rejection (No-AR). We observed that CD3+ T cells, both CD8+ and CD4+, as well as CD19+ B cells were increased in patients with BPAR, particularly in biopsies performed in the early post-transplant period (<3months). During this period immune subsets presented a good discriminative ability (CD4+ AUC 0.79; CD8+ AUC 0.80; B cells AUC 0.86; p < 0.05) and outperformed lipase (AUC 0.62; p = 0.12) for the diagnosis of acute rejection. We further evaluated whether this could be explained by differences in frequencies prior to transplantation. Patients presenting with early post-transplant rejection (<3months) had a significant increase in T-cell frequencies pre-transplant, both CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells (p < 0.01), which were associated with a significant inferior rejection-free graft survival. T cell frequencies in peripheral blood correlated with pancreas acute rejection episodes, and variations prior to transplantation were associated with pancreas early acute rejection.

Favorable Outcomes in Older Recipients Receiving Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Transplantation.

This is a retrospective single-center study from July 2003 to March 2021 with a median follow-up of 7.5 y. There were 104 recipients in the SPKT and 80 in the LDKT group. The mean age was 56 y in SPKT and 58 y in LDKT. There were 55% male recipients in the SPKT group versus 75% in LDKT. The duration of diabetes was 32 y in SPKT versus 25 y in LDKT. The number of preemptive transplants and length of dialysis were similar. However, the wait time was shorter for LDKT (269 versus 460 d). Forty-nine percent of the LDKT recipients received the organ within 6 mo of being waitlisted compared with 28% of SPKT recipients (P = 0.001). Donor age was lower in the SPKT group (27 versus 41 y). The estimated 5-y death censored kidney survival was 92% versus 98%, and 5-y patient survival was 86% versus 89% for SPKT versus LDKT. Death censored kidney and patient survival, acute kidney rejection by 1 y, and BK viremia were similar between the 2 groups. There were 17 pancreas graft losses within 1 y of transplant, the majority related to surgical complications, and it was not associated with increased mortality. SPKT in selected recipients aged 50 and above can have excellent outcomes similar to LDKT recipients.

343.6: Outcomes of Simultaneous Kidney-Pancreas Transplantation in Patients With Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Advantages for type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients receiving simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation (SKPT) as compared to kidney transplantation are shorter waiting times and availability of better-quality organs. UNOS approved SKPT for T2DM in 2014. We listed patients with T2DM and ESRD for SKPT with the following criteria: (1) age < 55 years, (2) insulin requirement ≤ 1 unit/kg body weight, (3) BMI ≤ 32 kg/m2. The aim of this study was to measure the change in volume of SPKT and compare outcomes between SKPT T1DM and T2DM recipients. Method: From Feb 2010 to Dec 2021, 62 T1DM and 36 T2DM SKPT recipients were studied. BMI, c-peptide, HbA1c, and e-GFR were evaluated pre-transplant and post-transplant until 1-year. Outcomes included volume of SKPT pre-and post- UNOS approval of SKPT for T2DM, complications, death-censored 5-year kidney and pancreas graft survival, and 5-year patient survival. Results: Among 98 SKPT, 18 (T1DM) were done before and 80 (44 T1DM and 36 T2DM) after the UNOS approval of SKPT in T2DM, translating to an increase in SKPT from 3.6/year to 11.4/year (216.7% increase) (Figure 1). T2DM patients were older, gained weight post-transplantation, and had higher BMI and e-GFR at 1-year post-transplant (Table 1). There were no differences in complications and graft and patient survival (Figure 2). Conclusions: UNOS approval of SKPT for T2DM led to an increase in SKPT with no differences in graft or patient survival between T1DM and T2DM patients. Weight gain should be carefully monitored and managed post-transplant in SKPT T2DM recipients.

Salvage of Graft Pancreas in a Simultaneous Pancreas-kidney Transplant Recipient With Splenic Artery Thrombosis, Infected Walled-off Necrosis, and Stenting of Y Arterial Graft Stenosis.

Salvage of Graft Pancreas in a Simultaneous Pancreas-kidney Transplant Recipient With Splenic Artery Thrombosis, Infected Walled-off Necrosis, and Stenting of Y Arterial Graft Stenosis.

Recurrent Cytomegalovirus Infection Controlled by the Introduction of Everolimus in a Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation Recipient: A Case Report

In simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) recipients, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major complication that has been associated with the use of tacrolimus (TAC)-based immunosuppression. As one of the immunosuppressive drug options, the use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) results in reduced rates of CMV infection in the field of solid organ transplantation. However, little is known about mTORi usage in pancreas transplantation. We report a case of recurrent CMV infection that was controlled by the introduction of mTORi (everolimus) in addition to a TAC-based immunosuppression regimen in SPK. A 52-year-old man underwent SPK. Graft duodenal perforation occurred on the 13th day of surgery, and graft duodenal resection was performed after long-term abscess drainage treatment. After graft duodenal resection, he was diagnosed with CMV viremia, and valganciclovir was started. However, because of recurrent febrile neutropenia caused by cytopenia as a side effect of valganciclovir, there was a repeated need for granulocyte-colony stimulating factor treatment. Immunosuppressive drug taper adjustment was attempted to control recurrent CMV viremia, and everolimus was introduced with the aim of reducing the dose of TAC and mycophenolate mofetil. This resulted in a continuously negative CMV antigenemia test and a stable general condition. Understanding the characteristics of various immunosuppressive agents and appropriately controlling and managing infectious diseases is crucial for the good postoperative management of patients with SPK.

Analysis of Volatile Anesthetic-Induced Organ Protection in Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Despite recent advances in surgical procedures and immunosuppressive regimes, early pancreatic graft dysfunction, mainly specified as ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI)—Remains a common cause of pancreas graft failure with potentially worse outcomes in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT). Anesthetic conditioning is a widely described strategy to attenuate IRI and facilitate graft protection. Here, we investigate the effects of different volatile anesthetics (VAs) on early IRI-associated posttransplant clinical outcomes as well as graft function and outcome in SPKT recipients. Methods: Medical data of 105 patients undergoing SPKT between 1998–2018 were retrospectively analyzed and stratified according to the used VAs. The primary study endpoint was the association and effect of VAs on pancreas allograft failure following SPKT; secondary endpoint analyses included “IRI- associated posttransplant clinical outcome” as well as long-term graft function and outcome. Additionally, peak serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipase during the first 72 h after SPKT were determined and used as further markers for “pancreatic IRI” and graft injury. Typical clinicopathological characteristics and postoperative outcomes such as early graft outcome and long-term function were analyzed. Results: Of the 105 included patients in this study three VAs were used: isoflurane (n = 58 patients; 55%), sevoflurane (n = 22 patients; 21%), and desflurane (n = 25 patients, 24%). Donor and recipient characteristics were comparable between both groups. Early graft loss within 3 months (24% versus 5% versus 8%, p = 0.04) as well as IRI-associated postoperative clinical complications (pancreatitis: 21% versus 5% versus 5%, p = 0.04; vascular thrombosis: 13% versus 0% versus 5%; p = 0.09) occurred more frequently in the Isoflurane group compared with the sevoflurane and desflurane groups. Anesthesia with sevoflurane resulted in the lowest serum peak levels of lipase and CRP during the first 3 days after transplantation, followed by desflurane and isoflurane (p = 0.039 and p = 0.001, respectively). There was no difference with regard to 10-year pancreas graft survival as well as endocrine/metabolic function among all three VA groups. Multivariate analysis revealed the choice of VAs as an independent prognostic factor for graft failure three months after SPKT (HR 0.38, 95%CI: 0.17–0.84; p = 0.029). Conclusions: In our study, sevoflurane and desflurane were associated with significantly increased early graft survival as well as decreased IRI-associated post-transplant clinical outcomes when compared with the isoflurane group and should be the focus of future clinical studies evaluating the positive effects of different VA agents in patients receiving SPKT.