Inhibiting membrane rupture with NINJ1 antibodies limits tissue injury.

Plasma membrane rupture (PMR) in dying cells undergoing pyroptosis or apoptosis requires the cell-surface protein NINJ11. PMR releases pro-inflammatory cytoplasmic molecules, collectively called damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), that activate immune cells. Therefore, inhibiting NINJ1 and PMR may limit the inflammation that is associated with excessive cell death. Here we describe an anti-NINJ1 monoclonal antibody that specifically targets mouse NINJ1 and blocks oligomerization of NINJ1, preventing PMR. Electron microscopy studies showed that this antibody prevents NINJ1 from forming oligomeric filaments. In mice, inhibition of NINJ1 or Ninj1 deficiency ameliorated hepatocellular PMR induced with TNF plus D-galactosamine, concanavalin A, Jo2 anti-Fas agonist antibody or ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Accordingly, serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, the liver enzymes alanine aminotransaminase and aspartate aminotransferase, and the DAMPs interleukin 18 and HMGB1 were reduced. Moreover, in the liver ischaemia-reperfusion injury model, there was an attendant reduction in neutrophil infiltration. These data indicate that NINJ1 mediates PMR and inflammation in diseases driven by aberrant hepatocellular death.

Temporal evolution of living donor liver transplantation survival-A United Network for Organ Sharing registry study.

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a curative treatment for various liver diseases, reducing waitlist times and associated mortality. We aimed to assess the overall survival (OS), identify predictors for mortality, and analyze differences in risk factors over time. Adult patients undergoing LDLT were selected from the United Network for Organ Sharing database from inception (1987) to 2023. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for analysis, and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were conducted. In total, 7257 LDLT recipients with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 45-61 years), 54% male, 80% non-Hispanic White, body mass index of 26.3 kg/m2 (IQR: 23.2-30.0 kg/m2), and model for end-stage liver disease score of 15 (IQR: 11-19) were included. The median cold ischemic time was 1.6 hours (IQR: 1.0-2.3 hours) with 88% right lobe grafts. The follow-up was 4.0 years (IQR: 1.0-9.2 years). The contemporary reached median OS was 17.0 years (95% CI: 16.1, 18.1 years), with the following OS estimates: 1 year 95%; 3 years 89%; 5 years 84%; 10 years 72%; 15 years 56%; and 20 years 43%. Nine independent factors associated with mortality were identified, with an independent improved OS in the recent time era (adjusted hazards ratio: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.39, 0.71). The median center-caseload per year was 5 (IQR: 2-10), with observed center-specific improvement of OS. LDLT is a safe procedure with excellent OS. Its efficacy has improved despite an increase of risk parameters, suggesting its limits are yet to be met.

Single-cell, single-nucleus, and spatial transcriptomics characterization of the immunological landscape in the healthy and PSC human liver.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an immune-mediated cholestatic liver disease for which there is an unmet need to understand the cellular composition of the affected liver and how it underlies disease pathogenesis. We aimed to generate a comprehensive atlas of the PSC liver using multi-omic modalities and protein-based functional validation. METHODS: We employed single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (47,156 cells and 23,000 nuclei) and spatial transcriptomics (one sample by 10x Visium and five samples with Nanostring GeoMx DSP) to profile the cellular ecosystem in 10 PSC livers. Transcriptomic profiles were compared to 24 neurologically deceased donor livers (107,542 cells) and spatial transcriptomics controls, as well as 18,240 cells and 20,202 nuclei from three PBC livers. Flow cytometry was performed to validate PSC-specific differences in immune cell phenotype and function. RESULTS: PSC explants with parenchymal cirrhosis and prominent periductal fibrosis contained a population of cholangiocyte-like hepatocytes that were surrounded by diverse immune cell populations. PSC-associated biliary, mesenchymal, and endothelial populations expressed chemokine and cytokine transcripts involved in immune cell recruitment. Additionally, expanded CD4+ T cells and recruited myeloid populations in the PSC liver expressed the corresponding receptors to these chemokines and cytokines, suggesting potential recruitment. Tissue-resident macrophages, by contrast, were reduced in number and exhibited a dysfunctional and downregulated inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: We present a comprehensive atlas of the PSC liver and demonstrate an exhaustion-like phenotype of myeloid cells and markers of chronic cytokine expression in late-stage PSC lesions. This atlas expands our understanding of the cellular complexity of PSC and has potential to guide the development of novel treatments. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare liver disease characterized by chronic inflammation and irreparable damage to the bile ducts, which eventually results in liver failure. Due to a limited understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of disease, treatment options are limited. To address this, we sequenced healthy and diseased livers to compare the activity, interactions, and localization of immune and non-immune cells. This revealed that hepatocytes lining PSC scar regions co-express cholangiocyte markers, whereas immune cells infiltrate the scar lesions. Of these cells, macrophages, which typically contribute to tissue repair, were enriched in immunoregulatory genes and demonstrated a lack of responsiveness to stimulation. These cells may be involved in maintaining hepatic inflammation and could be a target for novel therapies.

Living Donor Availability Improves Patient Survival in a North American Center: An Intention-to-treat Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the impact of having a living donor on waitlist outcomes and overall survival through an intention-to-treat analysis. BACKGROUND: Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) offers an alternative to deceased donation in the face of organ shortage. An as-treated analysis revealed that undergoing LDLT, compared to staying on the waiting list, is associated with improved survival, even at Model for End-stage Liver Disease-sodium (MELD-Na) score of 11. METHODS: Liver transplant candidates listed at the Ajmera Transplant Centre (2000-2021) were categorized as pLDLT (having a potential living donor) or pDDLT (without a living donor). Employing Cox proportional-hazard regression with time-dependent covariates, we evaluated pLDLT's impact on waitlist dropout and overall survival through a risk-adjusted analysis. RESULTS: Of 4,124 candidates, 984 (24%) had potential living donors. The pLDLT group experienced significantly lower overall waitlist dropouts (5.2%vs. 34.4%, P<0.001) and mortality (3.8%vs. 24.4%, P<0.001) compared to the pDDLT group. Possessing a living donor correlated with a 26% decline in the risk of waitlist dropout (adjusted hazard ratio 0.74, 95%CI 0.55-0.99, P=0.042). The pLDLT group also demonstrated superior survival outcomes at 1- (84.9%vs. 80.1%), 5- (77.6%vs. 61.7%), and 10-year (65.6%vs.52.9%) from listing (log-rank P<0.001) with a 35% reduced risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio 0.65, 95%CI 0.56-0.76, P<0.001). Moreover, the predicted hazard ratios consistently remained below 1 across the MELD-Na range 11-26. CONCLUSIONS: Having a potential living donor significantly improves survival in end-stage liver disease patients, even with MELD-Na scores as low as 11. This emphasizes the need to promote awareness and adoption of LDLT in liver transplant programs worldwide.

A scoping review of nonmedical barriers to living donor liver transplant.

This study aims to identify and categorize nonmedical barriers encountered by recipients, donors, and health care providers in the context of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Liver transplantation is vital for individuals with liver failure, yet high mortality rates on the transplant waitlist persist. LDLT was introduced to address deceased donor organ shortages; however, its adoption varies widely across regions, prompting the need to explore barriers hindering its implementation. The scoping review employed inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify studies focusing on nonmedical barriers to LDLT in both adult and pediatric populations. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies were considered, covering the period from January 2005 to February 2023. The review's search strategy was conducted in the Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid EMBASE databases. Studies meeting the criteria were assessed for their characteristics and findings, which were synthesized into recipient, donor, and provider-level barriers. Among 2394 initially screened articles, 17 studies were eligible for inclusion. Recipient-level barriers encompassed systemic disparities in access, limited social support, immigration status, and inadequate awareness of LDLT. Donor-level barriers involved surgery-related risks, recovery time concerns, financial burdens, and religious beliefs. Provider-level barriers highlighted institutional support inadequacies and specialized surgeon shortages. The scoping review underscores nonmedical barriers to LDLT across recipient, donor, and provider levels. These barriers include socioeconomic disparities, information gaps, and inadequate institutional support. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive national efforts to raise awareness about LDLT and provide essential financial support.

Pursuing living donor liver transplantation improves outcomes of patients with autoimmune liver diseases: An intention-to-treat analysis.

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) offers the opportunity to decrease waitlist time and mortality for patients with autoimmune liver disease (AILD), autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. We compared the survival of patients with a potential living donor (pLDLT) on the waitlist versus no potential living donor (pDDLT) on an intention-to-treat basis. Our retrospective cohort study investigated adults with AILD listed for a liver transplant in our program between 2000 and 2021. The pLDLT group comprised recipients with a potential living donor. Otherwise, they were included in the pDDLT group. Intention-to-treat survival was assessed from the time of listing. Of the 533 patients included, 244 (43.8%) had a potential living donor. Waitlist dropout was higher for the pDDLT groups among all AILDs (pDDLT 85 [29.4%] vs. pLDLT 9 [3.7%], p < 0.001). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year intention-to-treat survival rates were higher for pLDLT versus pDDLT among all AILDs (95.7% vs. 78.1%, 89.0% vs. 70.1%, and 87.1% vs. 65.5%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, pLDLT was associated with a 38% reduction in the risk of death among the AILD cohort (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.42-0.93 [ p <0.05]), and 60% among the primary sclerosing cholangitis cohort (HR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22-0.74 [ p <0.05]). There were no differences in the 1-, 3-, and 5-year post-transplant survival between LDLT and DDLT (AILD: 95.6% vs. 92.1%, 89.9% vs. 89.4%, and 89.1% vs. 87.1%, p =0.41). This was consistent after adjusting for covariates (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.56-1.68 [ p >0.9]). Our study suggests that having a potential living donor could decrease the risk of death in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis on the waitlist. Importantly, the post-transplant outcomes in this population are similar between the LDLT and DDLT groups.

Biodegradable biliary stents placement using a "kissing-stent" technique for management of a recalcitrant stricture post-live donor liver transplant.

BACKGROUND: Biliary complications are common in pediatric liver transplant. Strictures resistant to interventional radiology procedures can be extremely challenging to manage and may result in the need of surgery or retransplantation. METHODS: This case report illustrates the use of biodegradable stents post left lateral segment live donor liver transplant in a pediatric patient with a recalcitrant chronic stricture of the biliary-enteric anastomosis. The patient developed a high stricture requiring multiple interventions and eventual access of both the segment II and segment III ducts of the graft. RESULTS: To ensure adequate biliary drainage, two biodegradable stents were deployed using a "kissing-stent" technique. The stents were successfully deployed and allowed the patient to remain free from an internal-external biliary drain for 11 months, with eventual redeployment of an additional biodegradable stent. CONCLUSION: In patients with recalcitrant stenosis of the biliary anastomosis, biodegradable stents may provide durable drainage, optimizing graft function and delaying retransplantation in addition to keeping patients without external devices, thus improving quality of life.

Trajectories of patients relisted for liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Recurrent cirrhosis complicates 10-30% of Liver transplants (LT) and can lead to consideration for re-transplantation. We evaluated the trajectories of relisted versus primary listed patients on the waitlist using a competing risk framework. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined 1,912 patients listed for LT at our centre between from 2012 to 2020. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess overall survival (OS) by listing type and competing risk analysis Fine-Gray models were used to assess cumulative incidence of transplant by listing type. RESULTS: 1,731 patients were included (104 relisted). 44.2% of relisted patients received exception points vs. 19.8% of primary listed patients (p<0.001). Patients relisted without exceptions, representing those with graft cirrhosis, had the worst OS (HR: 4.17, 95%CI 2.63 - 6.67, p=<0.0001) and lowest instantaneous rate of transplant (HR: 0.56, 95%CI 0.38 - 0.83, p=0.006) than primary listed with exception points. On multivariate analysis listing type, height, bilirubin and INR were associated with cumulative incidence of transplant, while listing type, bilirubin, INR, sodium, creatinine were associated with OS. Within relisted patients, there was a trend towards higher mortality (HR: 1.79, 95%CI 0.91 - 3.52, p=0.08) and low transplant incidence (HR: 0.51, 95%CI 0.22 - 1.15, p=0.07) for graft cirrhosis vs other relisting indications. CONCLUSIONS: Patients relisted for LT are carefully curated and comprise a minority of the waitlist population. Despite their younger age, they have worse liver/kidney function, poor waitlist survival, and decreased transplant incidence suggesting the need for early relisting, while considering standardized exception points.

Intraoperative hemodialysis with supra- and infradiaphragmatic catheters for liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: The benefits of intraoperative dialysis during orthotopic liver transplantation remain controversial. In patients with anuric renal failure and portopulmonary hypertension, maintaining venous return during caval clamping and unclamping along with minimizing fluid overload is critical to avoiding right ventricular strain and failure. CLINICAL FEATURES: We present the case of a 54-yr-old female who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation for alcohol-related liver disease with acute decompensation including severe hepatorenal syndrome (anuric requiring dialysis), probable hepatopulmonary syndrome, moderate pulmonary hypertension (right ventricular systolic pressure, 44 mm Hg), hepatic encephalopathy (grade 2), and esophageal varices. Prior to incision, pulmonary arterial pressures were 48/28 (mean, 35) mm Hg with a central venous pressure of 30 mm Hg, cardiac output of 7.4 L·min-1, and pulmonary vascular resistance of 98 dynes·sec·cm-5. In the context of right ventricular strain and volume overload observed on transthoracic echocardiography, we inserted an additional dialysis catheter into the right femoral vein. We initiated dialysis using the two catheters as a circuit (femoral line to the dialysis machine; blood was reinjected via the subclavian line) acting as a limited venovenous bypass, allowing right ventricular offloading and hemodialysis throughout the case. We removed 4.5 L via hemodialysis during the surgery, while avoiding acidosis, hyperkalemia, and sodium shifts. The patient tolerated reperfusion adequately despite pre-existing right ventricular dilation and dysfunction. CONCLUSION: We report on the use two hemodialysis catheters in a patient undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation as a circuit for simultaneous anuric hepatorenal syndrome and moderate pulmonary hypertension with right ventricular dilation and dysfunction. We believe this technique was instrumental in the patient's successful transplant.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Les avantages de la dialyse peropératoire pendant une transplantation hépatique orthotopique demeurent controversés. Chez la patientèle atteinte d'insuffisance rénale anurique et d'hypertension portopulmonaire, il est essentiel de maintenir le retour veineux pendant le clampage et le déclampage de la veine cave ainsi que de minimiser la surcharge hydrique, afin d'éviter la déformation et l'insuffisance ventriculaires droites. CARACTéRISTIQUES CLINIQUES : Nous présentons le cas d'une femme de 54 ans qui a bénéficié d'une transplantation hépatique orthotopique pour une maladie hépatique liée à l'alcool avec une décompensation aiguë comprenant un syndrome hépatorénal sévère (anurie nécessitant une dialyse), un syndrome hépatopulmonaire probable, une hypertension pulmonaire modérée (pression systolique ventriculaire droite, 44 mm Hg), une encéphalopathie hépatique (grade 2) et des varices œsophagiennes. Avant l'incision, les pressions artérielles pulmonaires étaient de 48/28 (moyenne, 35) mm Hg avec une pression veineuse centrale de 30 mm Hg, un débit cardiaque de 7,4 L·min−1 et une résistance vasculaire pulmonaire de 98 dynes·sec·cm−5. Dans le contexte de la déformation ventriculaire et de la surcharge volémique droites observées à l'échocardiographie transthoracique, nous avons inséré un cathéter de dialyse supplémentaire dans la veine fémorale droite. Nous avons amorcé la dialyse en créant un circuit avec les deux cathéters (ligne fémorale en direction de l'appareil de dialyse; sang réinjecté via la ligne sous-clavière) agissant comme un pontage veino-veineux limité, permettant la décharge du ventricule droit et l'hémodialyse tout au long du cas. Nous avons retiré 4,5 L par hémodialyse pendant la chirurgie, tout en évitant l'acidose, l'hyperkaliémie et les changements en sodium plasmatique. La patiente a toléré la reperfusion de manière adéquate malgré la dilatation et le dysfonctionnement préexistants du ventricule droit. CONCLUSION: Nous rapportons l'utilisation de deux cathéters d'hémodialyse pour créer un circuit chez une patiente bénéficiant d'une transplantation hépatique orthotopique pour le traitement d'un syndrome hépatorénal anurique simultané à une hypertension pulmonaire modérée avec dilatation et dysfonctionnement du ventricule droit. Nous pensons que cette technique a joué un rôle déterminant dans la réussite de la greffe chez la patiente.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) as a Source of Liver Grafts: Honouring the Ultimate Gift.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical outcomes of liver transplants from donors after medical assistance in dying (MAiD) versus donors after cardiac death (DCD) and deceased brain death (DBD). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In North America, the number of patients needing liver transplants exceeds the number of available donors. In 2016, MAiD was legalized in Canada. METHODS: All patients undergoing deceased donor liver transplantation at Toronto General Hospital between 2016 and 2021 were included in the study. Recipient perioperative and postoperative variables and donor physiological variables were compared among 3 groups. RESULTS: Eight hundred seven patients underwent deceased donor liver transplantation during the study period, including DBD (n=719; 89%), DCD (n=77; 9.5%), and MAiD (n=11; 1.4%). The overall incidence of biliary complications was 6.9% (n=56), the most common being strictures (n=55;6.8%), highest among the MAiD recipients [5.8% (DBD) vs. 14.2% (DCD) vs. 18.2% (MAiD); P =0.008]. There was no significant difference in 1 year (98.4% vs. 96.4% vs. 100%) and 3-year (89.3% vs. 88.7% vs. 100%) ( P =0.56) patient survival among the 3 groups. The 1- and 3- year graft survival rates were comparable (96.2% vs. 95.2% vs. 100% and 92.5% vs. 91% vs. 100%; P =0.37). CONCLUSION: With expected physiological hemodynamic challenges among MAiD and DCD compared with DBD donors, a higher rate of biliary complications was observed in MAiD donors, with no significant difference noted in short-and long-term graft outcomes among the 3 groups. While ethical challenges persist, good initial results suggest that MAiD donors can be safely used in liver transplantation, with results comparable with other established forms of donation.

Outcomes after liver transplantation using deceased after circulatory death donors: A comparison of outcomes in the UK and the US.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Identifying international differences in utilization and outcomes of liver transplantation (LT) after donation after circulatory death (DCD) donation provides a unique opportunity for benchmarking and population-level insight. METHODS: Adult (≥18 years) LT data between 2008 and 2018 from the UK and US were used to assess mortality and graft failure after DCD LT. We used time-dependent Cox-regression methods to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for risk-adjusted short-term (0-90 days) and longer-term (90 days-5 years) outcomes. RESULTS: One-thousand five-hundred-and-sixty LT receipts from the UK and 3426 from the US were included. Over the study period, the use of DCD livers increased from 15.7% to 23.9% in the UK compared to 5.1% to 7.6% in the US. In the UK, DCD donors were older (UK:51 vs. US:33 years) with longer cold ischaemia time (UK: 437 vs. US: 333 min). Recipients in the US had higher Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, higher body mass index, higher proportions of ascites, encephalopathy, diabetes and previous abdominal surgeries. No difference in the risk-adjusted short-term mortality or graft failure was observed between the countries. In the longer-term (90 days-5 years), the UK had lower mortality and graft failure (adj.mortality HR:UK: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.49-0.80); graft failure HR: UK: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.58-0.91). The cumulative incidence of retransplantation was higher in the UK (5 years: UK: 11.9% vs. 4.6%; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: For those receiving a DCD LT, longer-term post-transplant outcomes in the UK are superior to the US, however, significant differences in recipient illness, graft quality and access to retransplantation were seen between the two countries.

Factors associated with thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications in pediatric liver transplant: A multi-center analysis from the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Survival after pediatric liver transplantation (PLT) is negatively impacted by thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. Limited data exists regarding factors associated with these complications and utilization of anticoagulation. METHODS: Retrospective review of donor, recipient variables and outcomes from four centers participating in the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation. RESULTS: 76 PLT included 39 (51%) technical variant transplants, with mean follow-up 628 ± 193.6 days. Median age/weight at transplant were 59.3 ± 53.8 months and 19.6 ± 17.2 kg. Seven (9.2%) transplants experienced intraoperative hepatic artery thrombosis (iHAT), all successfully corrected. Four HAT recurred postoperatively on POD 1,7,8 and 616. All three portal vein thromboses (PVT) occurred on POD1. Anticoagulation protocols were initiated intraoperatively in 50 and postoperatively in 66 and were active for all thrombotic and hemorrhagic events. Two patients were re-transplanted for HAT. Two patients died without having thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications. iHAT and post-operative HAT were associated with lower hepatic arterial flows. iHAT was associated with donor variant anatomy, reduced allografts and intraoperative blood loss. Intraoperative ultrasound could not predict post-operative HAT nor PVT. Surgeon pre-operative concern regarding the native portal vein correlated with postoperative PVT. Lower hepatic arterial and portal flows, higher estimated blood losses, higher prothrombin time and use of arterial interposition grafts were associated with postoperative hemorrhagic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications after pediatric liver transplant remain rare but significant events. Their occurrence can be predicted with pre-operative assessment of donor and recipient vascular anatomy and direct flow measurement but may not be predicted with ultrasound evaluation nor prevented with anticoagulation.

State of pediatric liver transplantation in the United States and achieving zero wait list mortality with ideal outcomes: A statement from the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplant Surgeon's Working Group.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplant is a life-saving therapy that can restore quality life for several pediatric liver diseases. However, it is not available to all children who need one. Expertise in medical and surgical management is heterogeneous, and allocation policies are not optimally serving children. Technical variant grafts from both living and deceased donors are underutilized. METHODS: Several national efforts in pediatric liver transplant to improve access to and outcomes from liver transplant for children have been instituted and include adjustments to allocation policies, UNOS-sponsored collaborative improvement projects, and the emergence of national learning networks to study ongoing challenges in the field the Surgical Working group of the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation (SNEPT) discusses key issues and proposes potential solutions to eliminate the persistent wait list mortality that pediatric patients face. RESULTS: A discussion of the factors impacting pediatric patients' access to liver transplant is undertaken, along with a proposal of several measures to ensure equitable access to life-saving liver transplant. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric liver transplant wait list mortality can and should be eliminated. Several measures, including collaborative efforts among centers, could be leveraged to acheive this goal.

A Malignant Hepatoblastoma Mimicking a Benign Mesenchymal Hamartoma: Lessons Learned.

Differentiating hepatoblastomas from other congenital benign hepatic tumors is key to surgical management. We, herein, present an unusual case of an antenatally diagnosed liver lesion assessed in the neonatal period. Because of its predominantly cystic ultrasound/MRI appearance and borderline alpha-fetoprotein serum levels the diagnosis of mesenchymal hamartoma was favored and protocol-based tumor resection was performed. Due to the intraoperative diagnosis of a fetal subtype of hepatoblastoma with positive resection margins the child had to undergo a second laparotomy. This report raises awareness to an unusual appearance of hepatoblastoma and discusses noninvasive imaging clues to consider atypical appearances of hepatoblastoma preoperatively as they can have profound implications in patient management.

Development and validation of a multivariable prediction model in pediatric liver transplant patients for predicting intensive care unit length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is the life-saving treatment for many end-stage pediatric liver diseases. The perioperative course, including surgical and anesthetic factors, have an important influence on the trajectory of this high-risk population. Given the complexity and variability of the immediate postoperative course, there would be utility in identifying risk factors that allow prediction of adverse outcomes and intensive care unit trajectories. AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a risk prediction model of prolonged intensive care unit length of stay in the pediatric liver transplant population. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive pediatric isolated liver transplant recipients at a single institution between April 1, 2013 and April 30, 2020. All patients under the age of 18 years receiving a liver transplant were included in the study (n = 186). The primary outcome was intensive care unit length of stay greater than 7 days. RESULTS: Recipient and donor characteristics were used to develop a multivariable logistic regression model. A total of 186 patients were included in the study. Using multivariable logistic regression, we found that age < 12 months (odds ratio 4.02, 95% confidence interval 1.20-13.51, p = .024), metabolic or cholestatic disease (odds ratio 2.66, 95% confidence interval 1.01-7.07, p = .049), 30-day pretransplant hospital admission (odds ratio 8.59, 95% confidence interval 2.27-32.54, p = .002), intraoperative red blood cells transfusion >40 mL/kg (odds ratio 3.32, 95% confidence interval 1.12-9.81, p = .030), posttransplant return to the operating room (odds ratio 11.45, 95% confidence interval 3.04-43.16, p = .004), and major postoperative respiratory event (odds ratio 32.14, 95% confidence interval 3.00-343.90, p < .001) were associated with prolonged intensive care unit length of stay. The model demonstrates a good discriminative ability with an area under the receiver operative curve of 0.888 (95% confidence interval, 0.824-0.951). CONCLUSIONS: We develop and validate a model to predict prolonged intensive care unit length of stay in pediatric liver transplant patients using risk factors from all phases of the perioperative period.

Should advanced donor age be a deterrent in the utilization of grafts from donation after cardiac death in deceased donor liver transplantation? The Toronto experience.

BACKGROUND: Advanced donor age paired with donation after cardiac death (DCD) increases the risk of transplantation, precluding widespread use of grafts from such donors worldwide. Our aim was to analyze outcomes of liver transplantation using grafts from older DCD donors and donation after brain death (DBD) donors. METHODS: Patients who underwent liver transplantation using grafts from deceased donors between January 2016 and December 2021 were included in the study. Short-and long-term outcomes were analyzed for 4 groups of patients: those who received DCD and DBD grafts from younger (< 50 yr) and older (≥ 50 yr) donors. RESULTS: Of the 807 patients included in the analysis, 44.7% (n = 361) of grafts were received from older donors, with grafts for older DCD donors comprising 4.7% of the total cohort (n = 38). Patients who received grafts from older donors had a lower incidence of biliary strictures than those who received grafts from younger donors (7.9% v. 20.0% for DCD donation, p = 0.14, and 4.9% v. 6.8% for DBD donation, p = 0.34), with a significantly lower incidence of ischemic-type biliary strictures in patients who received grafts from older versus younger DCD donors (2.6% v. 18.0%, p = 0.04). There was no difference in 1- and 3-year graft survival rates among patients who received grafts from older and younger DCD donors (92.1% v. 90.8% and 80.2% v. 80.9%, respectively) and those who received grafts from older and younger DBD donors (90.1% v. 93.2% and 85.3% v. 84.4%, respectively) (p = 0.85). Pretransplantation admission to the intensive care unit (hazard ratio [HR] 9.041, p < 0.001) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (HR 2.197, p = 0.02) were found to significantly affect survival of grafts from older donors. CONCLUSION: Donor age alone should not be the criterion to determine the acceptability of grafts in liver transplantation. With careful selection criteria, older DCD donors could make a valuable contribution to expanding the liver donor pool, with grafts that produce comparable results to those obtained with standard-criteria grafts.

Predictors of survival following liver transplantation for pediatric hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma: Experience from the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT).

Management of unresectable pediatric hepatoblastoma (HB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains challenging. The Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) database was used to study survival predictors in pediatric liver transplantation (LT) for HB and HCC. Event-free survival (EFS), associated risk factors, and postoperative complications were studied in children requiring LT for HB/HCC at 16 SPLIT centers. Three-year EFS was 81% for HB (n = 157) and 62% for HCC (n = 18) transplants. Of HB transplants, 6.9% were PRETEXT II and 15.3% were POST-TEXT I/II. Tumor extent did not impact survival (p = NS). Salvage (n = 13) and primary HB transplants had similar 3-year EFS (62% versus 78%, p = NS). Among HCC transplants, 3-year EFS was poorer in older patients (38% in ≥8-year-olds vs 86% <8-year-olds) and those with larger tumors (48% for those beyond versus 83% within Milan criteria, p = NS). Risk of infection (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.2, p = .02) and renal injury (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.7-3.3, p < .001) were higher in malignant versus nonmalignant LT. Survival is favorable for pediatric HB and HCC LT, including outcomes after salvage transplant. Unexpected numbers of LTs occurred in PRE/POST-TEXT I/II tumors. Judicious patient selection is critical to distinguish tumors that are potentially resectable; simultaneously, we must advocate for patients with unresectable malignancies to receive organs.

Results of Early Transplantation for Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis: Integrated Addiction Treatment With Low Rate of Relapse.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In 2018, our team initiated a prospective pilot program to challenge the paradigm of the "6-month rule" of abstinence for patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) requiring transplant. Our pilot involved an in-depth examination of patients' alcohol use, social support, and psychiatric comorbidity, as well as the provision of pre- and post-transplantation addiction treatment. METHODS: Patients with ALD were assessed for inclusion in the pilot by a multidisciplinary team. Relapse prevention therapy was provided directly to all patients deemed to meet the program's inclusion criteria. Random biomarker testing for alcohol was used pre and post transplantation. RESULTS: We received 703 referrals from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2020. After fulfilling the program's criteria, 101 patients (14%) were listed for transplantation and 44 (6.2%) received transplants. There were no significant differences in survival rates between those receiving transplants through the pilot program compared with a control group with more than 6 months of abstinence (P = .07). Three patients returned to alcohol use during an average post-transplantation follow-up period of 339 days. In a multivariate analysis, younger age and lower Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores at listing were associated with an increased likelihood of a return to alcohol use (P < .05); length of abstinence was not a predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective program provided direct monitoring and relapse prevention treatment for patients with ALD and with less than 6 months of abstinence and resulted in a reduction of post-transplantation return to drinking. This pilot study provides a framework for the future of more equitable transplant care.

Superior Long-Term Outcomes of Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Cumulative Single-Center Cohort Study With 20 Years of Follow-Up.

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an attractive alternative to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). Although both modalities have similar short-term outcomes, long-term outcomes are not well studied. We compared the 20-year outcomes of 668 adults who received LDLT with1596 DDLTs at the largest liver transplantation (LT) program in Canada. Recipients of LDLT were significantly younger and more often male than DDLT recipients (P < 0.001). Autoimmune diseases were more frequent in LDLT, whereas viral hepatitis and alcohol-related liver disease were more frequent in DDLT. LDLT recipients had lower Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (P = 0.008), spent less time on the waiting list (P < 0.001), and were less often inpatients at the time of LT (P < 0.001). In a nonadjusted analysis, 1-year, 10-year, and 20-year patient survival rates were significantly higher in LDLT (93%, 74%, and 56%, respectively) versus DDLT (91%, 67%, and 46%, respectively; log-rank P = 0.02) as were graft survival rates LDLT (91%, 67%, and 50%, respectively) versus (90%, 65%, and 44.3%, respectively, for DDLT; log-rank P = 0.31). After multivariable adjustment, LDLT and DDLT were associated with a similar hazard of patient and graft survival. Our data of 20 years of follow-up of LDLT from a single, large Western center demonstrates excellent long-term outcomes for recipients of LDLT.

Living donor liver paired exchange: A North American first.

Paired organ exchange can be used to circumvent living donor-recipient ABO incompatibilities. Herein, we present the first case of successful liver paired exchange in North America. This 2-way swap required 4 simultaneous operations: 2 living donor hepatectomies and 2 living donor liver transplants. A nondirected anonymous living donor gift initiated this domino exchange, alleviating an ABO incompatibility in the other donor-recipient pair. With careful attention to ethical and logistical issues, paired liver exchange is a feasible option to expand the donor pool for incompatible living liver donor-recipient pairs.