Transplant Candidates Research Articles

#515 The clinical utility of systematic screening using aortoiliac CT angiography before kidney transplantation

Abstract Background and Aims Several guidelines suggest screening for peripheral artery disease before kidney transplantation including the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes. There is currently no consensus on whom or how to screen for peripheral artery disease. We examined the clinical consequences of systematic screening using aortoiliac computed tomography (CT) angiography in a large cohort of potential kidney transplant candidates. Method In a retrospective study, potential kidney transplant candidates underwent aortoiliac CT angiography as pretransplant screening for peripheral artery disease. Screening criteria were patients above 40 years, and/or diabetes, and/or need for dialysis more than 5 years. The prevalence of clinically diagnosed peripheral artery disease and aortoiliac stenosis and calcification of iliac arteries at CT angiographies were assessed. A multidisciplinary team evaluated the CT angiographies in regard to transplantability and surgery planning. Results In total, 470 potential kidney transplant candidates were included. Clinically diagnosed peripheral artery disease was present in 14%, aortoiliac stenosis in 16%, and iliac circular calcifications in 21% potential kidney transplant candidates. A change in clinical decision by the multidisciplinary team was recorded in 67 of 429 (16%) patients due to vascular findings including choice of side for implantation in 52 (12%) and transplant-ineligibility in 7 (2%). Six out of seven ineligible patients had clinically diagnosed peripheral artery disease. Any clinical decision-making was recorded in 178 (41%). Conclusion Systematic screening using aortoiliac CT angiography may guide the planning of transplant surgery in a large proportion of patients. The effect of transplant outcomes remains to be established.

Safety and efficacy of continuous terlipressin infusion in HRS-AKI in a transplant population.

Hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While liver transplantation is the definitive treatment, continuous terlipressin infusion for HRS-AKI may provide benefit and, as such, was assessed in a population composed of candidates for liver transplant (LT). Fifty hospitalized LT-eligible patients with HRS-AKI received a single bolus followed by continuous terlipressin infusion. Acute-on-chronic liver failure grade 3, serum creatinine (SCr)>5.0mg/dL, or Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) ≥35 were exclusions. Fifty hospitalized patients who received midodrine and octreotide or norepinephrine for HRS-AKI served as a historical comparator cohort. Complete response (CR) was defined as a ≥30% decrease in SCr with end-of-treatment (EOT) SCr≤1.5, partial response as a ≥30% decrease in SCr with EOT SCr>1.5, and nonresponse as a <30% decrease in SCr. CR rate was significantly higher in the terlipressin cohort compared to the historical cohort (64% vs. 16%, p <0.001). Survival, while numerically higher in those who received terlipressin, was statistically similar (D30: 94% vs. 82%, p =0.12; D90: 78% vs. 68%, p =0.37). Renal replacement therapy (RRT) was more common among terlipressin NR than CR and PR (70% vs. 3% vs. 13%, p < 0.001). EOT MELD and SCr were significantly lower within terlipressin cohort (MELD: 19 vs. 25, SCr: 1.4 vs. 2.1mg/dL, p <0.001). Sixteen of 40 terlipressin-treated patients received LT-alone (terlipressin CR in 10/16). One patient on terlipressin had a hypoxic respiratory failure that responded to diuretics; one possibly had drug-related rash. With continuous terlipressin infusion, a CR rate of 64% was observed with a favorable safety profile. Terlipressin use was associated with lower EOT MELD and SCr than the historical midodrine and octreotide/norepinephrine cohort; LT-alone was accomplished in a high proportion of complete terlipressin responders.

Bariatric Surgery as a Bridge to a Successful Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report

BackgroundSevere obesity impairs renal function and outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. Bariatric surgery benefits those unresponsive to medical treatments. Limited case reports exist on its efficacy and long-term prognosis for transplant candidates. Thus, this study aims to present a case in which laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was safely performed on a patient with severe obesity awaiting kidney transplantation. Case PresentationThis study included a dialysis patient with a body mass index of 47 kg/m2. Living-donor kidney transplantation using his younger sister as a donor was considered, but it was determined that the risk of complications during and after surgery was high. Medical treatment was first performed, but the obesity did not improve; therefore, a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed. Although postoperative bleeding occurred, the patient was discharged from the hospital on the 14th postoperative day. Subsequently, his weight steadily decreased, and living-donor kidney transplantation was performed 13 months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed. Furthermore, the patient's progress after kidney transplantation was good, and he was freed from hemodialysis. ConclusionImproving severe obesity before kidney transplantation is effective in improving prognosis, and bariatric surgery should be considered when medical treatment is ineffective. Future research are needed to determine the optimal time between the performance of this procedure and kidney transplantation, as well as the long-term prognosis after kidney transplantation.

Impact of Left Ventricular Unloading on Outcome of Heart Transplant Bridging With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in New Allocation Policy.

The new heart allocation policy places veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO)-supported heart transplant (HT) candidates at the highest priority status. Despite increasing evidence supporting left ventricular (LV) unloading during VA-ECMO, the effect of LV unloading on transplant outcomes following bridging to HT with VA-ECMO remains unknown. From October 18, 2018 to March 21, 2023, 624 patients on VA-ECMO at the time of HT were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing database and were divided into 2 groups: VA-ECMO alone (N=384) versus VA-ECMO with LV unloading (N=240). Subanalysis was performed in the LV unloading group: Impella (N=106) versus intra-aortic balloon pump (N=134). Recipient age was younger in the VA-ECMO alone group (48 versus 53 years, P=0.018), as was donor age (VA-ECMO alone, 29 years versus LV unloading, 32 years, P=0.041). One-year survival was comparable between groups (VA-ECMO alone, 88.0±1.8% versus LV unloading, 90.4±2.1%; P=0.92). Multivariable Cox hazard model showed LV unloading was not associated with posttransplant mortality after HT (hazard ratio, 0.92; P=0.70). Different LV unloading methods had similar 1-year survival (intra-aortic balloon pump, 89.2±3.0% versus Impella, 92.4±2.8%; P=0.65). Posttransplant survival was comparable between different Impella versions (Impella 2.5, versus Impella CP, versus Impella 5.0, versus Impella 5.5). Under the current allocation policy, LV unloading did not impact waitlist outcome and posttransplant survival in patients bridged to HT with VA-ECMO, nor did mode of LV unloading. This highlights the importance of a tailored approach in HT candidates on VA-ECMO, where routine LV unloading may not be universally necessary.

Frailty assessments and changes in frailty over time in elderly veteran Kidney Transplant candidates: Effects on transplant evaluations

Background and hypothesisFrailty has emerged as an important factor in the pre-transplant evaluation process as studies have shown that it is associated with increased waitlist mortality, lower rates of transplant listing, and higher rates of delisting. There have not been many studies on frailty in elderly pre-transplant patients. In this study, we determined the common frailty phenotypes in an elderly population, and its effects on transplant success. MethodsOver a 3-year period, frailty was determined for all patients evaluated at our center. Patient characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics, overall and by level of frailty. Differences in patient characteristics by level of frailty were assessed for statistical significance using analysis of variance for age and chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Transplant outcomes such as listing success, transplant rates and post-transplant outcomes were tied to initial frailty assessments as well as the changes in frailty over time. ResultsA total of 375 patients were evaluated over the study period. The mean age was 64±9 years. African American patients were less likely to be frail. After adjusting for age and race, the most significant predictors of listing were the walk test (aOR: 0.42, 95 % CI: 0.22–0.79) and physical activity (aOR: 0.45, 95 % CI: 0.28–0.74). A total of 30 patients (8 %) with a pre-listing frailty evaluation died prior to transplantation. Frail walk test and physical activity assessment led to a 2-fold increase in pre-transplant mortality (7 % vs 17 %; 6 % vs 13 %). ConclusionOur study is the first to focus on a purely geriatric population and shows the importance of frailty on listing success, transplant rates and mortality prior to listing. These data point to the need for the development of tools to target frailty as a guide for improving transplant success in elderly patients.

Using the brain to heal the heart: A case discussion and review of panhypopituitarism-induced chronic heart and kidney failure

In this paper, we present a detailed case study from our transplant evaluation clinic, focusing on a postpartum patient with end-stage heart and kidney failure being considered for heart transplantation. The evaluation revealed pituitary dysfunction, correlating with Sheehan syndrome, a condition arising from significant blood loss that leads to pituitary gland hypoperfusion and necrosis. This diagnosis is particularly noteworthy considering the pituitary gland's vital role in hormonal regulation, which impacts multiple organ systems. The gland's vulnerability to ischemia, especially due to its enlargement during pregnancy, is a critical factor. Our case highlights the necessity of thorough pre-transplant evaluations to identify reversible endocrine factors contributing to organ failure, emphasizing the complex interplay between endocrine health and organ transplant suitability. This study serves as an important reminder for clinicians to consider endocrine causes in transplant candidates, especially in postpartum patients.

Mitigation of cardiac disease during liver transplantation through concomitant cardiac surgery and liver transplant: Pushing the boundaries of acceptable surgical candidacy

IntroductionThe prevalence of cardiac disease is high in patients with liver cirrhosis, making it one of the leading causes of death in this population. However, the presence of cardiac diseases (coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease) often leads to disqualification of potential liver transplantation (LT) candidates, resulting in limited treatment options available for these complex patients. In recent years, some medical centers, including Cleveland Clinic, have provided concomitant cardiac surgery (CS) and LT to carefully selected patients. MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted, compiling our experience and that of other medical centers performing concomitant CS and LT. We highlight Cleveland Clinic's approach for LT candidates with cardiac diseases. This includes a description of our initial evaluation, designed to detect cardiac diseases, followed by an explanation of our patient selection criteria and intraoperative strategies for concomitant CS and LT. ConclusionIn patients with liver cirrhosis who are candidates for LT but also present cardiac diseases, a cautious evaluation by a multidisciplinary team is required to determine the feasibility of performing concomitant CS and LT. Available evidence suggests that this combined approach is a potential treatment option, offering acceptable postoperative outcomes and overall survival, despite the often perceived high-risk nature of this complex patient population.

Portopulmonary hypertension: peculiarities of diagnosis and treatment

Portopulmonary hypertension is defined as the development of pulmonary hypertension secondary to portal one. Its exact prevalence is difficult to determine due to the lack of routine screening in patients with portal hypertension. Hemodynamic changes associated with portal hypertension, including the hyperdynamic state, portosystemic shunts, and splanchnic vasodilation, cause significant disturbances in the pulmonary vasculature and play a key role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Without treatment, portopulmonary hypertension leads to progressive right ventricular failure with a poor prognosis. Although Doppler echocardiography is the best initial screening tool for symptomatic patients and candidates for liver transplant, right heart catheterization remains the gold standard for disease diagnosis. Treatment of patients with portopulmonary hypertension is aimed at improving cardiac function, reducing pulmonary vascular resistance, and optimizing functional capacity. Pulmonary hypertension-specific therapy, which includes prostacyclin and its receptor agonists, endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and guanylate cyclase stimulators, plays a key role in the treatment of patients with portopulmonary hypertension. Small uncontrolled and recent single randomized controlled trials have reported promising results of vasodilator therapy in terms of clinical and hemodynamic improvement in patients, allowing certain patients to undergo liver transplantation. This review discusses the epidemiology, approach to diagnosis and treatment of patients with portopulmonary hypertension. We used MEDLINE database on the PubMed platform and the Cochrane library to search for literature sources using the keywords: portopulmonary hypertension, portal hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, liver cirrhosis, pulmonary complications.

Heart Transplantation Following Fontan Failure: Long-Term Survival Analysis.

Objectives: Fontan circulation presents significant challenges for patients with congenital heart disease, often necessitating heart transplantation (HTX) due to deteriorating functionality across multiple organ systems. However, the impact of prior Fontan palliation on HTX outcomes remains poorly understood, with early mortality rates suggesting a heightened risk. The aim of our study is to evaluate the long-term results after heart transplantation in patients with univentricular congenital heart disease previously palliated with Fontan circulation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent HTX for congenital heart disease. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the pre-HTX circulation pathway: the Failing Fontan Group (FFG) and the Biventricular Congenital Group (BCG). Data were collected from patients between 1987 and 2018. Early and late outcomes, including survival rates, were assessed and critically analyzed. Results: Of the 66 patients, 29 (43%) had a failing Fontan palliation (FFG), and 37 had biventricular congenital diseases (BCG) before heart transplantation. Early mortality (30-day) was not statistically different between the two group. The overall survival rate was 82.6 ± 13.9% at 1 year, 79.0 ± 14.9% at 5 years, 67.2 ± 17.6% at 10 years and 63.2 ± 18.2 ± at 15 years for the FFG, and 86.1 ±11.4% at 1 year, 79.5 ± 13.7% at 5 years, 75.7 ± 14.9% at 10 years, 75.7 ± 14.9% at 15 years for the BCG, with no statistically significant difference (Mantel Cox p value: 0.69, 0.89, 0.52 and 0.39, respectively). Regarding Cox-regression analysis, the long-term survival rate was not affected either by previous Fontan surgery or by the era of heart transplantation (before vs. after the year 2000). Conclusions: Although heart transplantation after Fontan palliation showed a higher risk in the early post-operative period, the medium- and long-term survival rates are comparable with biventricular circulation patients. Despite the failing Fontan patients being a challenging set of candidates for transplantation, it is a reasonable option in their treatment.

Successful Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Weight Loss Program Including GLP1 Receptor Agonists for Liver Transplant Candidates With High Body Mass Index.

Body mass index (BMI) >40 is considered a relative contraindication to liver transplant. However, there is little research regarding best practices for weight loss in this population. We hypothesized that providing multidisciplinary support, including the use of glucagon-like protein 1 receptor agonists would facilitate patients' achievement of weight loss necessary for transplant eligibility. Patients 18 y or older were referred to the Henry Ford Health Liver Metabolic Clinic from August 2019 to September 2023, with either BMI >40 or >35 with abdominal adiposity that would complicate surgery. Patients were provided individualized support from hepatologists, dieticians, and counselors, as well as prescribed antiobesity medication and monitored closely for weight loss progress. Among 19 patients referred to the Liver Metabolic Clinic, median baseline BMI was 42 (range, 34.6-48.8) with median goal weight loss of 14.1 kg (range, 4.1-31.4). Sixteen patients (84%) had metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and 3 patients had alcohol-associated liver disease. Seven had comorbid hepatocellular carcinoma. Median Model for End-stage Liver Disease score was 14 (range, 7-22). Fifteen patients were treated with a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (6 patients received liraglutide, 8 received semaglutide, and 1 received tirzepatide) and 4 received phentermine. Median weight loss was 11.7 kg for all 19 patients (range, 0-33). Eight patients received a transplant and 4 more patients were waitlisted. Time from baseline to waitlisting was ~5.5 mo (median 166 d; range, 68-840). Three patients remained on treatment, whereas 4 were deceased due to progressive liver disease or infection. Providing high BMI patients with individualized dietary and medical support can facilitate weight loss necessary to achieve liver transplant eligibility.

Management and Outcomes of Kidney Transplant Candidates With Severe Pulmonary Hypertension: A Single-center Strategy and Experience.

Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with high mortality posttransplant and thus is considered a contraindication to kidney transplantation. In this study, we describe the pretransplant management and posttransplant outcomes in patients with severe PH using a multidisciplinary approach. Between 11 of 2013 and 8 of 2022, we identified all patients with severe PH on initial pretransplant workup who underwent ultrafiltration (UF) or medical therapy for PH before transplant. Posttransplant we evaluated the perioperative course, renal function, graft, and patient survival. We compared survival to those who remained waitlisted or were delisted. Three-two patients (mean age = 55.03 ± 10.22 y) diagnosed with severe PH on pretransplant screening echocardiogram. Thirty patients (94%) were subjected to a median of 4 (range, 3-8) UF sessions with an average weight loss of 4.33 ± 2.6 kg. Repeat assessment of PH revealed a decline in mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure from 67 ± 12 mm Hg to 43 ± 13 mm Hg (P < 0.0001). Seventeen patients (53%) received a kidney transplant. The mean estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo was 72 ± 27, 72 ± 28, 75 ± 29, and 75 ± 29 mL/min/1.73 m2. Among, those who underwent transplantation both graft and patient survival was 100% at 1-y posttransplant. Overall, since the UF intervention, at a median follow-up of 88 ± 12 mo those transplanted had a patient survival of 88% while those who remained on dialysis had a survival of 53% (P = 0.0003). In this single-center study, we report postcapillary PH can be a significant contributor to elevations in pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Using a multidisciplinary approach, PH can improve with volume removal and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors therapy leading to a successful posttransplant outcome.

ADVANCED CARDIAC IMAGING IN LIVER TRANSPLANTATION ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC VENTRICULAR STRAIN AS PROGNOSTIC TOOLS

Abstract While cardiac involvement in the end–stage liver disease (ESLD) is a known condition, the characteristics of cardiac function in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and their effects on candidates to liver transplant (LT) are still vague. The evaluation of right ventricular failure (RVF) in liver transplant candidates has been revolutionized by advanced cardiac imaging techniques, particularly echocardiography with global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis. Aim of the present study is to evaluate RV function indexes in ESLD patients candidate to LT and the potential relationship with the liver disease status and cardiovascular major events on early post–LT phase Forty ESDL adult patients (age 46.8 ± 10 yrs, M/F 33/7) candidate to LT (19 for hepatic failure, 18 for hepatocarcinoma and 3 for other causes) were evaluate. All were submitted to transthoracic echocardiography and coronary CT angiography or coronary angiography. The Model for End–stage Liver Disease (MELD) score in the study population was 19±6.8. The higher values of the MELD score (i.e. the worst liver function condition) were directly correlated with the lower RV–GLS (p&amp;lt;0.02). Cardiac function indexes were LV–EF 62.8±4.5%, RV–GLS –22.9±4.5%, LV–GLS –19.5±4.6% and PAPs 31.8±6.6 mmHg. On 21 day follow–up, 4 patients died (2 with acute RV failure, 1 with Tako–Tsubo syndrome). On CT–angiography the value of calcium score was significantly different between the group of fatal events and the rest (0 vs 567±900), revealing that none of the died patient suffered from coronary atheromatic disease. Our findings identified that specific RV–GLS patterns on echocardiography, indicative of subclinical myocardial dysfunction, were strongly correlated with worst clinical hepatic conditions and reduced survival rates post–transplant. The study highlights the importance of advanced cardiac imaging in identifying liver transplant candidates at higher risk of post–transplant mortality due to RHF.

Differential Effects of Ascites and Hepatic Encephalopathy on Waitlist Mortality in Liver Transplantation by MELD 3.0.

MELD 3.0 introduces changes to address waitlist disparities for liver transplant (LT) candidates. Ascites and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) are important milestones in the natural history of cirrhosis regardless of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. We aim to assess the impact of ascites and HE and its interaction with MELD 3.0 on waitlist mortality. This is a retrospective study of patients listed for LT in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database from 2016 to 2021. The primary outcome was waitlist mortality (death/delisting for too sick to LT). Ascites/HE were classified as moderate ascites without moderate HE (mAscites), moderate HE without moderate ascites (mHE), both moderate ascites/HE (mBoth), and neither. MELD 3.0 scores were categorized as <20, 20-29, 30-39, and ≥40. Of 39 025 candidates, 29% had mAscites, 3% mHE, and 8% mBoth. One-year waitlist mortality was 30%, 38%, and 47%, respectively, compared with 17% (all P < 0.001) for those with neither. In multivariable Cox regression, the adjusted risk of waitlist mortality associated with mAscites (versus neither) was a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55-2.00) when the MELD 3.0 score was <20, significantly higher than when the MELD 3.0 score was 20-29 (HR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.27-1.54), 30-39 (HR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.04-1.35), and ≥40 (HR 1.14; 95% CI, 0.91-1.43, interaction P < 0.05 for all). A similar pattern was observed by MELD 3.0 for both moderate ascites/HE. The presence of moderate ascites alone, or combined with moderate HE, not only increases the risk of waitlist mortality but also has a differential effect by MELD 3.0, especially at lower MELD scores. Earlier strategies addressing this group and improving treatment plans or access to LT regardless of MELD remain needed.

Role of biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of HCC.

For many cancers, biomarkers have served as an important tool across the cancer care continuum from risk stratification and early detection to diagnosis and treatment. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) remains one of the few validated biomarkers for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although AFP has shown potential for each of these steps, its performance when used alone has often been suboptimal. There continues to be discordant recommendations about AFP's value when combined with ultrasound for surveillance as well as its role in diagnostic algorithms. Conversely, high AFP levels are associated with aggressive tumor biology and survival, so it remains a key factor for selection of liver transplant candidates. There have been immense efforts to identify and validate additional biomarkers for each of these steps in the HCC care continuum. Indeed, biomarker panels have shown promising data for HCC risk stratification and surveillance among patients with cirrhosis, as well as prognostication and detection of minimal residual disease in patients undergoing HCC treatment. Several large prospective studies to evaluate the role of these emerging biomarkers in clinical practice are currently ongoing.

The landscape of liver transplantation for patients with alcohol-associated liver disease in the United States.

Indications for liver transplants have expanded to include patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) over the last decade. Concurrently, the liver allocation policy was updated in February 2020 replacing the Donor Service Area with Acuity Circles (ACs). The aim is to compare the transplantation rate, waitlist outcomes, and posttransplant survival of candidates with ALD to non-ALD and assess differences in that effect after the implementation of the AC policy. Scientific Registry for Transplant Recipients data for adult candidates for liver transplant were reviewed from the post-AC era (February 4, 2020-March 1, 2022) and compared with an equivalent length of time before ACs were implemented. The adjusted transplant rates were significantly higher for those with ALD before AC, and this difference increased after AC implementation (transplant rate ratio comparing ALD to non-ALD = 1.20, 1.13, 1.61, and 1.32 for the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease categories 37-40, 33-36, 29-32, and 25-28, respectively, in the post-AC era, p < 0.05 for all). The adjusted likelihood of death/removal from the waitlist was lower for patients with ALD across all lower Model for End-Stage Liver Disease categories (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio = 0.70, 0.81, 0.84, and 0.70 for the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease categories 25-28, 20-24, 15-19, 6-14, respectively, p < 0.05). Adjusted posttransplant survival was better for those with ALD (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.81, p < 0.05). Waiting list and posttransplant mortality tended to improve more for those with ALD since the implementation of AC but not significantly. ALD is a growing indication for liver transplantation. Although patients with ALD continue to have excellent posttransplant outcomes and lower waitlist mortality, candidates with ALD have higher adjusted transplant rates, and these differences have increased after AC implementation.

Management of the liver transplant candidate with high cardiac risk: Multidisciplinary best practices and recommendations.

In a setting characterized by a growing prevalence of patients with alcohol-associated and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver diseases, coupled with an aging patient demographic, the incidence of cardiac comorbidities in liver transplant candidates is on the rise. These comorbidities not only pose barriers to transplant eligibility but also impact the intraoperative course and affect posttransplant outcomes. As such, there is a significant need to optimize the clinical management of these cardiac comorbidities. However, there is a scarcity of evidence regarding the best practices for managing cardiac comorbidities such as coronary and valvular heart diseases, arrhythmia, and cardiomyopathy in this population, both before and during transplant surgery. These conditions necessitate a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach to care. In this manuscript, we conduct a comprehensive review of the most recent evidence pertaining to the preoperative and intraoperative management of these cardiac comorbidities in liver transplant candidates. Our aim is to provide recommendations that improve and standardize their clinical care.

The impact of time from ILD diagnosis to referral to the transplant center on the probability of inclusion in the transplant waiting list

BackgroundLung transplant is a therapeutic option for patients with progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD). ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine whether time from ILD diagnosis to referral to a transplant center influences the probability of being included in the transplant waiting list. MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study including all ILD patients evaluated as lung transplantation (LT) candidates at a lung transplant center between 01/01/2017 and 31/12/2022. The primary endpoint was the probability of being included in the lung transplant waiting list according to the time elapsed from diagnosis to referral to the transplant center. ResultsA total of 843 lung transplant requests were received, of which 367 (43.5%) were associated with ILD. Thirteen patients were excluded because they did not attend the first visit, whereas another 11 were excluded because some information was missing. As a result, our final sample was composed of 343 patients. The median time from diagnosis to referral was 29.4 (10.9 – 61.1) months. The overall probability of inclusion in the waiting list was 29.7%. By time from diagnosis to referral, the probability of inclusion in the waiting list was 48.1% for the patients referred 〈 6 months from diagnosis; 27.5% for patients referred 6 to 24 months from diagnosis; and 25.8% for patients referred 〉 24 months from diagnosis (p = 0.007). ConclusionsEarly referral to a lung transplant center seemed to increase the probability of being included in the lung transplant waiting list. Further research is needed in this topic.

Sequential administration of anti-complement component C5 eculizumab and type-2 anti-CD20 obinutuzumab for the treatment of early antibody-mediated rejection after kidney transplantation: A proof of concept

Kidney transplant (KT) candidates with donor-specific antibodies (DSA) exhibit exceedingly high antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) and allograft loss rates. Currently, treatment of ABMR remains an unmet clinical need. We report the use of the anti-C5 eculizumab and the type-2 anti-CD20 obinutuzumab in two patients with early ABMR. Eculizumab (900 mg IV) led to complete inhibition of the terminal complement cascade (unremarkable AP50 and CH50 activity) and prompt stoppage of complement-dependent antibody-mediated allograft injury (clearance of intra-graft C4d and C5b-9 deposition). Despite complement inhibition, obinutuzumab (1000 mg IV) determined full and long-lasting peripheral B-cell depletion, with significant reduction in all DSA. Graft function improved, remaining stable up to three years of follow-up. No signs of active ABMR and rebound DSA were detected. Obinutuzumab B-cell depletion and inhibition of DSA production were not affected by complement blockage. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential benefit of obinutuzumab in association with complement inhibitors.

Considerations in gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender and gender diverse patients undergoing liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is lifesaving for patients with end-stage liver disease. Similar to the role of transplantation for patients with end-stage liver disease, gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) can be lifesaving for transgender and gender diverse (TGGD) patients who experience gender dysphoria. However, management of such hormone therapy during the perioperative period is unknown and without clear guidelines. Profound strides can be made in improving care for TGGD patients through gender-affirming care and appropriate management of GAHT in liver transplantation. In this article, we call for the transplant community to acknowledge the integral role of GAHT in the care of TGGD liver transplant candidates and recipients. We review the current literature and describe how the transplant community is ethically obligated to address this health care gap. We suggest tangible steps that clinicians may take to improve health outcomes for this minoritized patient population.

Aortic pulse wave analysis and functional capacity of heart transplantation candidates: a pilot study

We compared cardiovascular parameters obtained with the Mobil-O-Graph and functional capacity assessed by the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) before and after Heart Transplantation (HT) and also compared the cardiovascular parameters and the functional capacity of candidates for HT with a control group. Peripheral and central vascular pressures increased after surgery. Similar results were observed in cardiac output and pulse wave velocity. The significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) postoperatively was not followed by an increase in the functional capacity. 24 candidates for HT and 24 controls were also compared. Functional capacity was significantly lower in the HT candidates compared to controls. Stroke volume, systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure measured peripherally and centrally were lower in the HT candidates when compared to controls. Despite the significant increase in peripheral and central blood pressures after surgery, the patients were normotensive. The 143.85% increase in LVEF in the postoperative period was not able to positively affect functional capacity. Furthermore, the lower values of LVEF, systolic volume, central and peripheral arterial pressures in the candidates for HT are consistent with the characteristics signs of advanced heart failure, negatively impacting functional capacity, as observed by the lower DASI score.