Diffusion-weighted imaging of the orbit.

Orbital lesions compose a heterogeneous group of pathologies that often present with non-specific imaging findings on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences (T1-and T2-weighted). Accordingly, the application of diffusion MRI offers an opportunity to further distinguish between lesions along this spectrum. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) represents the simplest and most frequent clinically utilised diffusion imaging technique. Recent advances in DWI techniques have extended its application to the evaluation of a wider spectrum of neurological pathology, including orbital lesions. This review details the manifestations of select orbital pathology on DWI and underscores specific situations where diffusion imaging allows for increased diagnostic sensitivity compared to more conventional MRI techniques. These examples also describe preferred management for orbital lesions identified by DWI.

Clinical outcomes of patients undergoing a cardiac implantable electronic device implantation following a recent non-device-related infection.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcomes of patients undergoing a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation following a recent non-device related infection are unknown. AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with recent infection before CIED implantation. METHODS: Consecutive patients (N = 1237) were classified as patients with recent infection (N = 72) and without recent infection (N = 1165). A recent infection was established by reviewing medical records, including symptoms and clinical manifestations, diagnosis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of in-hospital all-cause mortality. FINDINGS: During nearly three years of follow-up, 17 patients had CIED infection (1.4%), and the incidence of CIED infection did not significantly differ between patients with and without recent infection according to symptoms and clinical manifestations (2.8% vs 1.3%, respectively; not significant). However, patients with recent infection had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate compared to those without recent infection (22.2% vs 0.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, predictors of in-hospital mortality were recent infection before CIED implantation (odds ratio: 20.3; 95% confidence interval: 8.4-49.3; P < 0.001) and end-stage renal disease (4.3; 1.4-12.8; P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: A CIED implantation is feasible in patients with recent infection if the patient is afebrile and has received an adequate duration of antibiotic therapy. Participants in shared decision-making before implant should be advised that recent infection increases in-hospital mortality risk, especially in patients with a qSOFA score of ≥2.

Bundled skin antiseptic preparation for complex cardiac implantable electronic device infection: a propensity-score matching cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection, a major complication of a CIED implant procedure, can prolong hospitalization and cause mortality. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a bundled skin antiseptic preparation for preventing infection after implantation of a complex CIED. METHODS: This study analysed 1163 consecutive patients who had received a bundled skin antiseptic preparation before CIED implantation from July 2012 to December 2017. According to the complexity of the CIED implant procedure, the patients were divided into a complex CIED group (N = 370) and a non-complex CIED group (N = 793). A complex procedure was defined as a pacemaker replacement, implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy, device upgrade, or lead revision. FINDINGS: During a mean follow-up of 2.9 ± 1.7 years, CIED infection developed in 15 patients (1.3%), and the incidence of minor and major infection was 1.1% and 0.2%, respectively. The incidence of CIED infection did not significantly differ between the complex CIED group and the non-complex CIED group (1.1% vs 1.4%, respectively; non-significant). Multivariate analysis indicated that procedural complexity was not an independent predictor of CIED infection. After 2:1 propensity score matching, the matched non-complex CIED group and the matched complex CIED group still showed no significant difference in the incidence of CIED infection. CONCLUSION: Bundled skin antiseptic preparation is an effective and widely applicable strategy for decreasing infection risk after a complex CIED implantation.

Nucleic Acid Tests for BK Polyomavirus Is Critical in Renal Transplant Recipients.

This study evaluates the incidence of BK polyomavirus (BKV) and prognosis of BKV infection in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who received transplantation in our hospital before and after regular BKV nucleic acid test (NAT) was implemented. METHODS: The study included 74 KTRs who received a single kidney either from standard- or expanded-criteria deceased donor between March 2011 and March 2017. BKV NATs were regularly checked in 26 patients (group 1) in the first posttransplant year in accordance with current guidelines since NAT was implemented in our laboratory in 2014. We retrospectively compared 48 KTRs (group 2) who either received NAT when necessary in another laboratory or were not checked before 2014. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in patient characteristics between groups. BKV viruria were confirmed in 8 of 26 (30.8%) group 1 patients, whereas only 2 of 48 (4.2%) BKV infections were confirmed in group 2. None of the BKV(+) KTRs in group 1 developed BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN), whereas 2 BKV(+) patients (100%) of group 2 developed BKVAN, which indicates renal function deterioration and biopsy-validated nephropathy. There was no significant difference in graft survival and renal function between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of BKV infection is considerably higher in KTRs using NAT. Because there is no approval treatment, early diagnosis of BKV infection and early reduction of immunosuppression agents is critical for KTRs. Implementation of regular BKV NAT is mandatory before BKVAN and malignant neoplasms develop.

Viral activity and outcome of hepatitis B surface antigen-positive grafts in deceased liver transplantation.

Indications of liver transplantation are extensive, but deceased donation does not meet the demand. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive grafts used to be discarded in the past. The aim of this study was to examine viral activity and outcome of HBsAg-positive deceased grafts transplanted to HBsAg-positive recipients. Eleven HBsAg-positive deceased grafts were transplanted to HBsAg-positive patients with acute liver failure (3 patients), hepatocellular carcinoma (6 patients) and repeatedly bleeding varices (2 patients). Postoperatively, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was treated by a combination of antiviral nucleoside and nucleotide analogues. HBV DNA and HBsAg were measured periodically. The median (interquartile) model of end-stage liver disease score for the recipients was 19 (16-32) with a range from 11 to 40. HBV DNA was detected in 6 patients with a range from 61 to 1083 IU/mL before transplantation. After transplantation, HBV DNA was detected in 4 patients in the first month and 2 patients in the 6th month and became undetectable for all patients at end of the first year. The quantitative HBsAg ranged from 0.86 to 241.1 IU/mL at 6 months and 0.34 to 238.5 IU/mL at 24 months (P = .135). Three of the patients died in the early phase, and the other patients were followed up for 40.0 ± 19.2 months with normal liver function. In conclusion, HBsAg-positive deceased liver grafts function well with minimal viral activity under treatment of combined antiviral nucleoside and nucleotide analogues. Use of HBsAg-positive deceased grafts is feasible and increases the donor pool to rescue dying patients.

Tension band plating is less effective in achieving equalization of leg length.

PURPOSE: Little data is available on the efficiency of different implants for epiphysiodesis. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy between plates and staples in decreasing leg-length discrepancy. METHODS: A retrospective review of 19 children who underwent temporary epiphysiodesis of the legs was conducted, with a minimum of two years of follow-up. The bone length and length ratio to the short side were measured at six months, one year and two years postoperatively. The change in discrepancy was compared between staples and plates by an independent t-test, and the shortest time to a significant decrease in discrepancy was determined using a paired t-test. RESULTS: Ten patients underwent 13 staple procedures in nine femurs and four tibias for a 2.8-cm discrepancy at age 11.8 years, and nine patients underwent 14 plate procedures in seven femurs and seven tibias for a 3.1-cm discrepancy at age 12.4 years. Patients were followed up to skeletal maturity, except two. The use of staples decreased the discrepancy in the bone ratio from +4.8% to +1.2% in two years, and the use of plates decreased this ratio from +5.1% to +3.3% in two years. The change in the length ratio was significantly greater after stapling. Six months were required after stapling before the first significant decrease in discrepancy; it took two years after plating. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significantly lower efficacy for decreasing leg-length discrepancy by tension band plating. Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the limitations of using plates for suppressing bone growth. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Pharyngeal airway changes following maxillary expansion or protraction: A meta-analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the changes in airway dimensions after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and facemask (FM) protraction. Using PubMed, Medline, ScienceDirect and Web of Science, only controlled clinical trials, published up to November 2016, with RME and/or FM as keywords that had ≥6 months follow-up period were included in this meta-analysis. The changes in pharyngeal airway dimension in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional images were included in the analysis. Nine studies met the criteria. There are statically significant changes in upper airway and nasal passage airway in the intervention groups as compared to the control groups, assessed in two-dimensional and three-dimensional images. However , in the lower airway and the airway below the palatal plane, no statistically significant changes are seen in 2D and 3D images. RME/FM treatments might increase the upper airway space in children and young adolescents. However, more RCTs and long-term cohort studies are needed to further clarify the effects on pharyngeal airway changes.

Difficult Situation of Pancreas Transplantation in the Setting of Scarce Organ Donation.

BACKGROUND: Currently, pancreas transplantation has been a promising strategy to restore long-term normoglycemia as well as to improve life quality for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the discrepancy between the number of organs needed and the number donated for transplantation is always enormous. Under a setting of scarce organ donations, we examined our limited experience of pancreas transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective review of pancreas transplantations was performed with the use of data from the Taiwan Organ Registry and Sharing Center and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Pancreas transplantations in the Organ Transplantation Institute of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital also were reviewed. RESULTS: At present, there are 5 medical centers approved for pancreas transplantation in Taiwan. Overall, a total of 156 pancreas transplantations were performed from 2005 to the end of 2016; only 9 of them were performed in the Organ Transplantation Institute of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Although the number of organ donations is rising, pancreas transplantation numbers remain low. More than 20 pancreas transplantations were performed in 2016, yet there remained a total of 111 patients registered on the wait list for pancreas transplantation at the end of this study. Thus the gap between organ donation and transplantation is still vast. CONCLUSIONS: With continuing improvements in Taiwanese health policies and public education regarding organ transplantation, organ donation rates have risen steadily in recent years. Moreover, quality control and continuing evolution in organ transplantation is crucial to ameliorate the difficult situation of pancreas transplantation and other solid organ transplantation in the context of low levels of donation.

The prevalence of osteoporosis and the rate of bone loss in Korean adults: the Chungju metabolic disease cohort (CMC) study.

Because the rate of bone loss is an important risk factor for fracture, we studied longitudinal changes in bone mineral density (BMD). Although the BMD of the hip decreased over time, spine BMD remained largely stable or increased. Therefore, spine BMD may not be appropriate for assessing BMD change. INTRODUCTION: The rate of age-dependent bone loss has been shown to be an important risk factor for fracture. However, longitudinal rates of BMD loss in Korea have not yet been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate longitudinal changes in BMD in Korea. METHODS: This cohort study was performed in a population of individuals 40 years of age or older living in the rural area of Chungju City, Korea. A second BMD examination was conducted approximately 4 years after a baseline examination. A total of 3755 of the 6007 subjects completed the follow-up visit, corresponding to a follow-up rate of 62.51%. RESULTS: The age-standardized osteoporosis prevalence was 12.81% in males and 44.35% in females. In males, the average annual BMD loss at the total hip increased from -0.25% per year in their 40s to -1.12% per year in their 80s. In females, the average annual BMD loss at the total hip increased from -0.69% per year in their 40s to -1.51% per year in their 80s. However, the average annual percentage change in spine BMD in females increased from -0.91% per year in their 40s to +1.39% per year in their 80s. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of subjects had osteoporosis, even though we standardized the prevalence of osteoporosis. In total hip, the mean BMD was decreased during the follow-up period; in addition, the annual percentage loss increased with age. However, spine BMD remained approximately stable or increased over time and therefore may not be appropriate for assessing BMD change.

Pre-Transplantation Immune Cell Distribution and Early Post-Transplant Fungal Infection Are the Main Risk Factors of Liver Transplantation Recipients in Lower Model of End-Stage Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients after liver transplantation (LTx) with high Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (>30) is predicted, but patients with lower MELD scores (<30) have no conclusive studies of pre- and post-transplant risk factors that influence the long-term outcome. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 268 recipients with MELD score <30, from 2008 to 2013 in our institution, for evaluation of pre-transplant risk factors including patients' clinical background data, pre-transplant lymphocyte subpopulation, and early post-transplant infection complication as predictors for long-term survival after LTx. RESULTS: The post-transplant patients' survival estimates were 90.7%, 85.1%, and 83.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, age >55years, presence of ascites, cluster of differentiation (CD)3 < 93.2 (count/µL), CD4/CD8 <2.4, fungal infection, and more than one site of fungal colonization significantly influenced survival (P = .0003, P = .002, P = .04, P = .004, P < .0001, and P > .0001, respectively). We also noticed that these five factors accumulatively influence the long-term survival rate; this means that in the presence of any two risk factors, the 5-year survival can still be 88.4%, whereas in the presence of any three risk factors, the survival rate dropped to only 57.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients in the presence of pre-transplant low immune cell number and ascites in association with post-transplant fungal infection are the independent risk factors in MELD scores <30 LTx groups for long-term survival. Patients in these groups with any of the three factors had inferior long-term survival results.

Application of CD8+ Cells Count as a Guide of Immunosuppressive Regimen Introduction for Very Sick Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppression (IS) protocols should be individualized according to the individual recipient's immunity to minimize adverse effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative levels of CD8+ T lymphocytes could be used as a guide for the introduction of IS. METHODS: Sixteen adult liver transplantations in our institute were retrospectively analyzed. The immunosuppressive agents were temporarily withheld for 8 patients with a lower (<10%) preoperative percentage of CD8+ cells after transplant (classified as group A). In this group, postoperative immunosuppressive agents had never been used until acute rejection was suspected. Another 8 patients receiving classic IS were classified as group B. We collected their demographic features and analyzed the clinical courses. RESULTS: The postoperative IS-free period of group A was 5 to 120 days (median, 31 days). Our data showed an inverse correlation between CD8+ levels and the severity of liver disease. Although the IS-free protocol did not present a lower incidence of infection-related events, most of them were effectively treated with antibiotics. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall patient survival rates were not different between those with a short-term IS-free period and those with regular IS (87.5% vs 100%, 75% vs 100%, and 62.5% vs 87.5%; P = .468). No patient died of graft failure due to acute rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative immunosuppressive agents can be safely withheld for a period of time to preserve proper immune responses against infections in very sick recipients guided by using the CD8+ levels.

Comparison of Liver Function, Emotional Status, and Quality of Life of Living Liver Donors in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation may put the donor at risk of physical and psychological impacts. Recovery of physical and psychological function as well as quality of life (QOL) in living liver donors warrants investigation. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the recovery of liver function, emotional status, and QOL in living liver donors through a comparison with the general population and reference values. METHODS: This descriptive, comparative study included 97 living liver donors who underwent surgery from 2008 to 2012 and were divided into 4 groups according to their postoperative period (1 year [n = 31], 2 years [n = 31], 3 years [n = 21], and 4 years above [n = 14]). Data were collected retrospectively in a medical center in northern Taiwan. RESULTS: The mean aspartate aminotransferase level was 20.2-32.1 U/L, the mean alanine aminotransferase level was 14.7-33.5 U/L, and the mean total bilirubin level was 10.8-15.5 µmol/L among the 4 groups. Among donors of the 4 groups, 23.8%-51.6% and 0%-29% were defined as having a mild level of anxiety and depression, respectively. Donors in the 1- and 2-year groups had poorer QOL in the physical function, role physical, vitality, and mental health domains than did the general population of Taiwan (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Liver function was at normal levels in all 4 groups. The emotional and psychological function of living liver donors should be monitored and health-related QOL should be promoted during the first and second year after liver donation.

Pulse Oximeter-Derived Pleth Variability Index is a Reliable Indicator of Cardiac Preload in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of cardiac preload during liver transplantation is essential. The right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) is recognized as a good preload indicator in patients undergoing liver transplantation. Recently, dynamic variation parameters including pleth variability index (PVI) have been used as predictors of fluid responsiveness. However, the correlation between PVI and preload status has not been well studied. We evaluated the relationship between PVI and RVEDVI during liver transplantation. METHODS: Eighteen patients undergoing liver transplantation were enrolled in this study. Data of hemodynamic parameters including PVI derived by Masimo Rainbow SET Pulse CO-Oximeter, central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure (PAOP), and RVEDI were obtained at 10 defined time points throughout liver transplantation. The correlation between RVEDVI and CVP, PAOP, and PVI was analyzed using Spearman rank test. We also investigated the ability of PVI to accurately differentiate RVEDVI <123 or >142 mL/m(2) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: There was fair to good correlation between PVI and RVEDVI (correlation coefficient = -0.492, P < .001). The correlation coefficient between CVP, PAOP, and RVEDVI was 0.345 and 0.463, respectively. A 13.5% cutoff value of PVI estimated the RVEDVI <123 mL/m(2) (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.762). A 12.5% cutoff value of PVI estimated the RVEDVI >142 mL/m(2) (AUC = 0.745). CONCLUSIONS: PVI presented as a reliable estimate of preload status and may be a useful predictor of fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

High salt exacerbates programmed hypertension in maternal fructose-fed male offspring.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Consumption of food and drinks containing high fructose (HF), which is associated with hypertension, is increasing steeply. Moreover, increased salt intake significantly increases hypertension risk. We examined whether maternal HF and postnatal high salt (HS) intake had synergistic effects on blood pressure (BP) elevation in adult offspring and determined the underlying mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received regular chow or chow supplemented with 60% fructose during the entire pregnancy and lactation periods. Half of the male offspring received 1% NaCl in drinking water from weaning to 3 months of age. Male offspring were assigned to 4 groups (control, HF, HS, and HF + HS) and were sacrificed at 12 weeks of age. Offspring in HF and HS groups developed hypertension, indicating that HF and HS synergistically increased BP. Postnatal HS intake increased Ace expression and decreased Agtr1b and Mas1 expression in the kidneys. Renal mRNA levels of Ace and Agtr1a were significantly higher in HF + HS group than in control group. Renal levels of Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, type 3 sodium hydrogen exchanger, and Na(+)/Cl(-) cotransporter were higher in HS and HF + HS groups than in control group. CONCLUSION: Postnatal HS intake exacerbated prenatal HF-induced programmed hypertension. HF and HS induced programmed hypertension by differentially inducing renin-angiotensin system and sodium transporters in the kidneys. Better understanding of the effect of the relationship between HF and HS on hypertension development will help prevent hypertension in mothers and children exposed to HF and HS.

Outcomes of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in liver transplantation era.

AIMS: Surgical treatment for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is toward transplantation. However, liver resection remains the major surgical treatment for HCC in Asia. This study is to examine the results of liver resection when liver transplantation became an option of treatment for early-stage HCC. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 1639 patients with resectable HCC were reviewed and divided into two groups. In the 1st period (2002-2005), all 679 patients received liver resection. In the 2nd period (2006-2010), 916 patients had liver resection and 44 patients jointed liver transplantation program. The results of treatment in these two periods were analyzed. RESULTS: The characteristics of tumors were the most important factors of tumor recurrence after liver resection. Liver function reserve, characteristics of tumors, and surgeons' endeavor were all independent factors for overall survival after liver resection. When the patients with oligo-nodular tumors or portal hypertension with low platelet count had liver transplantation rather than liver resection in the 2nd period, the survival rates in the 2nd period were improved. When the patients in the 1st period with low platelet count (≤105 × 10(3)/uL) were subtracted, the 5-year survival rate of the patients with one-segmentectomy for small-sized HCC in the 1st period was similar to those in the 2nd period and transplant patients. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of liver resection were improved while liver transplantation was performed for the patients with suspicious portal hypertension. Platelet count, 105 × 10(3)/uL, could be a watershed for early stage HCC patients to undergo liver resection or liver transplantation.

Ischemic reperfusion injury-induced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators in liver transplantation recipients.

OBJECTIVE: Liver ischemic reperfusion injury is harmful to transplant recipients, and is associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. Our study was designed to investigate the oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 14 recipients who underwent liver transplantation by measuring their blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and IL-6, at nine time points perioperatively. We also evaluated the correlations between oxidative stress (MDA levels) and the characteristics of the recipient or the donated graft. RESULTS: These parameters significantly increased from 1 minute before reperfusion, and the values peaked within 3 to 30 minutes after reperfusion. On the time point at 5 minutes after reperfusion, the MDA levels which were the highest in the recipients correlated with the values of preoperative direct/and total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, international normalized ratio (INR), and surgical blood loss. CONCLUSION: The levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 greatly increased with the ischemic reperfusion insult. Recipients with higher values of preoperative direct/and total bilirubin, AST, ALT, MELD score, INR, and surgical blood loss tended to have higher levels of MDA and may suffer more injury from this insult.

Utilization of bioreactance technique as indicator for preload responsiveness during living donor liver donation.

BACKGROUND: Fluid restriction has been used to decrease central venous pressure as a strategy of fluid management during living donor liver donation (LDLD). However, potential risks such as hemodynamic instability are also involved during the procedure. Monitoring of preload or preload responsiveness is therefore crucial during LDLD. The aim of this study was to explore the efficiency of an innovative bioreactance method that introduced the noninvasive cardiac output monitor (NICOM, Cheetah Medical, Vancouver, Wash, United States), as surrogate indicator for preload responsiveness during LDLD. METHODS: Twenty-six patients underwent LDLD and were enrolled in this study. Fluid was restricted until the organ was harvested. The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM Ltd, Sydney, Australia) was applied to measure stroke volume (SV) before and after 500 mL of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (Voluven, Fresenius Kabi, Friedberg, Germany) fluid challenge, and the value of SV variation (SVV) from NICOM was also recorded. Fluid responsiveness was defined if SV increased by more than 15%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed. RESULTS: The area under the ROC curve was 0.6023. The optimal cutoff value of SVV from NICOM was 12% during LDLD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown that SVV measured from the bioreactance technique is a poor indicator for monitoring preload responsiveness during LDLD.

Corrected flow time is a good indicator for preload responsiveness during living donor liver donation.

BACKGROUND: Corrected flow time (FTc) has been utilized as preload indicator in recent literature. Accurate estimation of preload status during living donor liver donation (LDLD) is important due to fluid restriction. We evaluate the effectiveness of FTc as a surrogate of preload indicator during LDLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients undergoing LDLD were enrolled in the study. Administration of intravenous fluid was restricted before lobectomy was performed. After the organ was harvest, fluid challenge with 500 mL of Voluven (130/0.42, Fresenius, Friedberg, Germany) was performed. Stroke volume (SV) was measured with ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM; USCOM Pty, Ltd, Sydney, Australia) before and after the fluid challenge. The FTc value obtained with USCOM before fluid challenge was recorded. Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in SV of more than 15%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed. RESULTS: The area under ROC curve was 0.9. The optimal cutoff FTc value was 340 milliseconds during LDLD. CONCLUSIONS: FTc is a noninvasive, easily obtainable, and essentially good preload indicator during LDLD.

The ratio of plasma interleukin-18 is a sensitive biomarker for acute kidney injury after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after liver transplantation (OLT) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have shown that interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels are associated with AKI. The purpose of this study was to determine whether plasma IL-18 levels were early predictors for AKI after liver transplantation. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 26 patients who underwent OLT at induction of anesthesia (T1), 1 hour after the surgical incision (T2), the time of reperfusion (T3), as well as 1 (T4), 2 (T5), and 4 hours (T6) after reperfusion. Samples were also obtained at 24 hours after surgery (T7). The AKI criteria were taken according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. RESULTS: Twelve patients (46%) developed AKI after OLT. The area under the receiver operating curve of plasma IL-18 concentrations (T4/T1) to predict AKI occurrence was 0.842 at T5, 0.905 at T6, 0.726 at T7, and 0.726 at T5 to T7. CONCLUSION: Plasma IL-18 concentrations taken 1 hour after reperfusion were predictive of AKI. Therefore, changing IL-18 ratio may be an early predictor for AKI after OLT.