Gaining a new angle on pancreas cancer: A pre-operative thrombelastographic parameter predicts recurrence and survival among patients with resected periampullary and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: It has previously been demonstrated that Thrombelastography(TEG) angle may be associated with recurrence and survival in pancreas cancer in a cohort of patients operated on at the University of Colorado in 2016-2017. Now approaching 10 years of follow-up, we revisit these associations and strengthen these claims with multivariate analysis. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves identified the performance of angle for predicting recurrence&survival. Unadjusted and adjusted cox regression models were used to identify significant predictors of these outcomes. RESULTS: 47 patients were included with median follow-up of 29.6 months. ROC curves for angle predicting recurrence and survival identified a cutoff of 44.5°. KM curves demonstrated that patients above the cutoff were more likely to recur(90%vs46 â€‹%,p â€‹= â€‹0.001) and less likely to survive(16%vs56 â€‹%,p â€‹= â€‹0.001). Angle remained significant on multivariate analyses (HR recurrence:3.64[1.32-10.25],HR survival:3.80[1.38-10.46]). CONCLUSIONS: TEG angle is independently associated with disease recurrence and overall survival in pancreas cancer. This may be identifying virulent tumor biology, but further studies are required. A prospective study is underway.

Phase I clinical trial of the feasibility and safety of direct peritoneal resuscitation in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Direct peritoneal resuscitation (DPR) is associated with improved outcomes in trauma. Animal models suggest DPR has favorable effects on the liver. We sought to evaluate its safety and assess for improved outcomes in liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: LT patients with renal dysfunction and/or obesity were enrolled in a phase-I clinical trial. DPR lasted 8-24 â€‹h depending on postoperative disposition. Primary outcome was percent of patients completing DPR. Secondary outcomes evaluated complications. Controls with either obesity (control-1) or both risk factors (obesity â€‹+ â€‹renal dysfunction, control-2) were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were enrolled (seven with both criteria and eight with obesity alone). DPR was completed in 87 â€‹% of patients, with one meeting stopping criteria. Controls included 45 (control-1) and 24 (control-2) patients. Return to operating room, graft loss, and late infections were lower with DPR. CONCLUSION: DPR appears to be safe in closed abdomens following LT, warranting a follow-up phase-II trial to assess efficacy.

Survival following liver transplantation: A population-based nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is the gold standard treatment for end-stage liver disease. This study evaluates post-transplantation survival compared with the general population by quantifying standardized mortality ratios in a nested case-control study. METHODS: Controls were noninstitutionalized United States inhabitants from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study. Cases underwent liver transplantation from 1990 to 2007 identified through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Propensity matching (5:1, nearest neighbor, caliper 0.1) identified controls based on age, sex, race, and state. The primary endpoint was 10-year survival. RESULTS: 62,788 cases were matched to 313,381 controls. The overall standardized mortality ratio was 2.46 (95% CI â€‹= â€‹2.44-2.48). The standardized mortality ratio was higher for males (2.59 vs. 2.25) and Hispanic patients (4.80). Younger patients and those transplanted earlier (1990-1995) had higher standardized mortality ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Liver recipients have a standardized mortality ratio 2.46 times higher than the general population. Long-term mortality has declined over time.

US Liver Transplant Outcomes After Normothermic Regional Perfusion vs Standard Super Rapid Recovery.

Importance: Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) is an emerging recovery modality for transplantable allografts from controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) donors. In the US, only 11.4% of liver recipients who are transplanted from a deceased donor receive a cDCD liver. NRP has the potential to safely expand the US donor pool with improved transplant outcomes as compared with standard super rapid recovery (SRR). Objective: To assess outcomes of US liver transplants using controlled donation after circulatory death livers recovered with normothermic regional perfusion vs standard super rapid recovery. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study comparing liver transplant outcomes from cDCD donors recovered by NRP vs SRR. Outcomes of cDCD liver transplant from January 2017 to May 2023 were collated from 17 US transplant centers and included livers recovered by SRR and NRP (thoracoabdominal NRP [TA-NRP] and abdominal NRP [A-NRP]). Seven transplant centers used NRP, allowing for liver allografts to be transplanted at 17 centers; 10 centers imported livers recovered via NRP from other centers. Exposures: cDCD livers were recovered by either NRP or SRR. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was ischemic cholangiopathy (IC). Secondary end points included primary nonfunction (PNF), early allograft dysfunction (EAD), biliary anastomotic strictures, posttransplant length of stay (LOS), and patient and graft survival. Results: A total of 242 cDCD livers were included in this study: 136 recovered by SRR and 106 recovered by NRP (TA-NRP, 79 and A-NRP, 27). Median (IQR) NRP and SRR donor age was 30.5 (22-44) years and 36 (27-49) years, respectively. Median (IQR) posttransplant LOS was significantly shorter in the NRP cohort (7 [5-11] days vs 10 [7-16] days; P < .001). PNF occurred only in the SRR allografts group (n = 2). EAD was more common in the SRR cohort (123 of 136 [56.1%] vs 77 of 106 [36.4%]; P = .007). Biliary anastomotic strictures were increased 2.8-fold in SRR recipients (7 of 105 [6.7%] vs 30 of 134 [22.4%]; P = .001). Only SRR recipients had IC (0 vs 12 of 133 [9.0%]; P = .002); IC-free survival by Kaplan-Meier was significantly improved in NRP recipients. Patient and graft survival were comparable between cohorts. Conclusion and Relevance: There was comparable patient and graft survival in liver transplant recipients of cDCD donors recovered by NRP vs SRR, with reduced rates of IC, biliary complications, and EAD in NRP recipients. The feasibility of A-NRP and TA-NRP implementation across multiple US transplant centers supports increasing adoption of NRP to improve organ use, access to transplant, and risk of wait-list mortality.

Association of procurement technique with organ yield and cost following donation after circulatory death.

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) could account for the largest expansion of the donor allograft pool in the contemporary era. However, the organ yield and associated costs of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) compared to super-rapid recovery (SRR) with ex-situ normothermic machine perfusion, remain unreported. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (December 2019 to June 2023) was analyzed to determine the number of organs recovered per donor. A cost analysis was performed based on our institution's experience since 2022. Of 43 502 donors, 30 646 (70%) were donors after brain death (DBD), 12 536 (29%) DCD-SRR and 320 (0.7%) DCD-NRP. The mean number of organs recovered was 3.70 for DBD, 3.71 for DCD-NRP (P < .001), and 2.45 for DCD-SRR (P < .001). Following risk adjustment, DCD-NRP (adjusted odds ratio 1.34, confidence interval 1.04-1.75) and DCD-SRR (adjusted odds ratio 2.11, confidence interval 2.01-2.21; reference: DBD) remained associated with greater odds of allograft nonuse. Including incomplete and completed procurement runs, the total average cost of DCD-NRP was $9463.22 per donor. By conservative estimates, we found that approximately 31 donor allografts could be procured using DCD-NRP for the cost equivalent of 1 allograft procured via DCD-SRR with ex-situ normothermic machine perfusion. In conclusion, DCD-SRR procurements were associated with the lowest organ yield compared to other procurement methods. To facilitate broader adoption of DCD procurement, a comprehensive understanding of the trade-offs inherent in each technique is imperative.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Reduces the Need for Liver Transplantation in Patients with Obesity and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: a Predictive Model.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the leading indications for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States. As with the current obesity epidemic, the incidence of NASH continues to rise. However, the impact of broad utilization of bariatric surgery (BS) for patients with NASH is unknown, particularly in regard to mitigating the need for LT. METHODS: Markov decision analysis was performed to simulate the lives of 20,000 patients with obesity and concomitant NASH who were deemed ineligible to be waitlisted for LT unless they achieved a body mass index (BMI) < 35 kg/m2. Life expectancy following medical weight management (MWM) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were estimated. Base case patients were defined as having NASH without fibrosis and a pre-intervention BMI of 45 kg/m2. Sensitivity analysis of initial BMI was performed. RESULTS: Simulated base case analysis patients who underwent SG gained 14.3 years of life compared to patients who underwent MWM. One year after weight loss intervention, 9% of simulated MWM patients required LT compared to only 5% of SG patients. Survival benefit for SG was observed above a BMI of 32.2 kg/m2. CONCLUSION: In this predictive model of 20,000 patients with obesity and concomitant NASH, surgical weight loss is associated with a reduction in the progression of NASH, thereby reducing the need for LT. A reduced BMI threshold of 32 kg/m2 for BS may offer survival benefit for patients with obesity and NASH.

Ventricular Remodeling Following Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Decreases Need for Heart Transplantation: A Predictive Model.

PURPOSE: For patients with obesity and congestive heart failure (CHF) who require heart transplantation (HT), aggressive weight loss has been associated with ventricular remodeling, or subclinical alterations in left and right ventricular structure that affect systolic function. Many have suggested offering metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) for these patients. As such, we evaluated the role of MBS in HT for patients with obesity and CHF using predictive modelling techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Markov decision analysis was performed to simulate the life expectancy of 30,000 patients with concomitant obesity, CHF, and 30% ejection fraction (EF) who were deemed ineligible to be waitlisted for HT unless they achieved a BMI < 35 kg/m2. Life expectancy following diet and exercise (DE), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) was estimated. Base case patients were defined as having a pre-intervention BMI of 45 kg/m2. Sensitivity analysis of initial BMI was performed. RESULTS: RYGB patients had lower rates of HT and received HT quicker when needed. Base case patients who underwent RYGB gained 2.2 additional mean years survival compared with patients who underwent SG and 10.3 additional mean years survival compared with DE. SG patients gained 6.2 mean years of life compared with DE. CONCLUSION: In this simulation of 30,000 patients with obesity, CHF, and reduced EF, MBS was associated with improved survival by not only decreasing the need for transplantation due to improvements in EF, but also increasing access to HT when needed due to lower average BMI.

Early predictors of prolonged intensive care utilization following liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Creatinine, bilirubin, and fibrinolysis resistance are associated with multi-organ dysfunction and likely risk factors for prolonged intensive care unit (pICU) stay following liver transplantation (LT). We hypothesize postoperative day-1 (POD-1) labs will predict pICU. METHODS: LT recipients had clinical laboratories and viscoelastic testing with tissue plasminogen activator thrombelastography (tPA TEG) to quantify fibrinolysis resistance (LY30) on POD-1. pICU was defined as one week or longer in the ICU. Logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between POD-1 labs and pICU. RESULTS: Of 304 patients, 50% went to the ICU, with 15% experiencing pICU. Elevated creatinine (OR 6.6, P â€‹< â€‹0.001) and low tPA TEG LY30 (OR 3.7, P â€‹= â€‹0.004) were independent predictors of pICU after controlling for other risk factors. A 9-fold increase in the rate of 90-day graft loss (19% vs 2% p â€‹< â€‹0.001) was observed patients who had these risk factors for pICU. CONCLUSION: Elevated creatine and fibrinolysis resistance are associated with pICU and poor outcomes following LT.

The in-vitro influence of urea concentration on thromboelastrography in patients with and without end stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with platelet dysfunction but also thromboembolic complications. The specific role of increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on coagulation is unclear. We aimed to characterize thromboelastography (TEG) parameters from males and females with ESRD and normal kidney function and evaluate if exogenous urea in vitro reproduced those TEG differences. METHODS: We collected blood samples from 20 living kidney donors and 20 kidney recipients. TEG was performed without and with two increasing urea concentrations in vitro. TEG parameters were compared between recipients and donors. RESULTS: Blood from kidney recipients showed baseline increased maximum amplitude (MA) and shortened time to maximum amplitude (TMA) compared to donors. These differences were not confirmed in females. In all patients, BUN was inversely correlated with TMA (r = -0.342; p = 0.031). In males, BUN and creatinine concentrations showed a direct correlation with MA (0.583; p = 0.007) and an inverse correlation with TMA (r = -0.520; p = 0.019). Urea in vitro decreased R-time (p = 0.005) and increased LY30 (p = 0.009) in donors but not recipients. CONCLUSIONS: ESRD is associated with increased MA and decreased TMA on TEG. No change in MA was observed with increasing urea concentrations in vitro. Gender-specific variability in TEG parameters were observed.

Development and validation of a REcurrent Liver cAncer Prediction ScorE (RELAPSE) following liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Analysis of the US Multicenter HCC Transplant Consortium.

HCC recurrence following liver transplantation (LT) is highly morbid and occurs despite strict patient selection criteria. Individualized prediction of post-LT HCC recurrence risk remains an important need. Clinico-radiologic and pathologic data of 4981 patients with HCC undergoing LT from the US Multicenter HCC Transplant Consortium (UMHTC) were analyzed to develop a REcurrent Liver cAncer Prediction ScorE (RELAPSE). Multivariable Fine and Gray competing risk analysis and machine learning algorithms (Random Survival Forest and Classification and Regression Tree models) identified variables to model HCC recurrence. RELAPSE was externally validated in 1160 HCC LT recipients from the European Hepatocellular Cancer Liver Transplant study group. Of 4981 UMHTC patients with HCC undergoing LT, 71.9% were within Milan criteria, 16.1% were initially beyond Milan criteria with 9.4% downstaged before LT, and 12.0% had incidental HCC on explant pathology. Overall and recurrence-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 89.7%, 78.6%, and 69.8% and 86.8%, 74.9%, and 66.7%, respectively, with a 5-year incidence of HCC recurrence of 12.5% (median 16 months) and non-HCC mortality of 20.8%. A multivariable model identified maximum alpha-fetoprotein (HR = 1.35 per-log SD, 95% CI,1.22-1.50, p < 0.001), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (HR = 1.16 per-log SD, 95% CI,1.04-1.28, p < 0.006), pathologic maximum tumor diameter (HR = 1.53 per-log SD, 95% CI, 1.35-1.73, p < 0.001), microvascular (HR = 2.37, 95%-CI, 1.87-2.99, p < 0.001) and macrovascular (HR = 3.38, 95% CI, 2.41-4.75, p < 0.001) invasion, and tumor differentiation (moderate HR = 1.75, 95% CI, 1.29-2.37, p < 0.001; poor HR = 2.62, 95% CI, 1.54-3.32, p < 0.001) as independent variables predicting post-LT HCC recurrence (C-statistic = 0.78). Machine learning algorithms incorporating additional covariates improved prediction of recurrence (Random Survival Forest C-statistic = 0.81). Despite significant differences in European Hepatocellular Cancer Liver Transplant recipient radiologic, treatment, and pathologic characteristics, external validation of RELAPSE demonstrated consistent 2- and 5-year recurrence risk discrimination (AUCs 0.77 and 0.75, respectively). We developed and externally validated a RELAPSE score that accurately discriminates post-LT HCC recurrence risk and may allow for individualized post-LT surveillance, immunosuppression modification, and selection of high-risk patients for adjuvant therapies.

Postoperative fibrinolytic resistance is associated with early allograft dysfunction in liver transplantation: A prospective observational study.

Perioperative dysfunction of the fibrinolytic system may play a role in adverse outcomes for liver transplant recipients. There is a paucity of data describing the potential impact of the postoperative fibrinolytic system on these outcomes. Our objective was to determine whether fibrinolysis resistance (FR), on postoperative day one (POD-1), was associated with early allograft dysfunction (EAD). We hypothesized that FR, quantified by tissue plasminogen activator thrombelastography, is associated with EAD. Tissue plasminogen activator thrombelastography was performed on POD-1 for 184 liver transplant recipients at a single institution. A tissue plasminogen activator thrombelastography clot lysis at 30 minutes of 0.0% was identified as the cutoff for FR on POD-1. EAD occurred in 32% of the total population. Fifty-nine percent (n=108) of patients were categorized with FR. The rate of EAD was 42% versus 17%, p <0.001 in patients with FR compared with those without, respectively. The association between FR and EAD risk was assessed using multivariable logistic regression after controlling for known risk factors. The odds of having EAD were 2.43 times (95% CI, 1.07-5.50, p =0.03) higher in recipients with FR [model C statistic: 0.76 (95% CI, 0.64-0.83, p <0.001]. An additive effect of receiving a donation after circulatory determination of death graft and having FR in the rate of EAD was observed. Finally, compared with those without FR, recipients with FR had significantly shorter graft survival time ( p =0.03). In conclusion, FR on POD-1 is associated with EAD and decreased graft survival time. Postoperative viscoelastic testing may provide clinical utility in identifying patients at risk for developing EAD, especially for recipients receiving donation after circulatory determination of death grafts.

Outcomes in liver transplant recipients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-related HCC: results from the US multicenter HCC transplant consortium.

NAFLD will soon be the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT). In NAFLD, HCC may occur at earlier stages of fibrosis and present with more advanced tumor stage, raising concern for aggressive disease. Thus, adult LT recipients with HCC from 20 US centers transplanted between 2002 and 2013 were analyzed to determine whether NAFLD impacts recurrence-free post-LT survival. Five hundred and thirty-eight (10.8%) of 4981 total patients had NAFLD. Patients with NAFLD were significantly older (63 vs. 58, p<0.001), had higher body mass index (30.5 vs. 27.4, p<0.001), and were more likely to have diabetes (57.3% vs. 28.8%, p<0.001). Patients with NAFLD were less likely to receive pre-LT locoregional therapy (63.6% vs. 72.9%, p<0.001), had higher median lab MELD (15 vs. 13, p<0.001) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (3.8 vs. 2.9, p<0.001), and were more likely to have their maximum pre-LT alpha fetoprotein at time of LT (44.1% vs. 36.1%, p<0.001). NAFLD patients were more likely to have an incidental HCC on explant (19.4% vs. 10.4%, p<0.001); however, explant characteristics including tumor differentiation and vascular invasion were not different between groups. Comparing NAFLD and non-NAFLD patients, the 1, 3, and 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence (3.1%, 9.1%, 11.5% vs. 4.9%, 10.1%, 12.6%, p=0.36) and recurrence-free survival rates (87%, 76%, and 67% vs. 87%, 75%, and 67%, p=0.97) were not different. In competing risks analysis, NAFLD did not significantly impact recurrence in univariable (HR: 0.88, p=0.36) nor in adjusted analysis (HR: 0.91, p=0.49). With NAFLD among the most common causes of HCC and poised to become the leading indication for LT, a better understanding of disease-specific models to predict recurrence is needed. In this NAFLD cohort, incidental HCCs were common, raising concerns about early detection. However, despite less locoregional therapy and high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, explant tumor characteristics and post-transplant recurrence-free survival were not different compared to non-NAFLD patients.

Uncontrolled donation after cardiac death kidney transplantation: Opportunity to expand the donor pool?

BACKGROUND: Compared to controlled donation after cardiac death (cDCD), uncontrolled DCD (uDCD) kidney transplantation remains an underutilized resource in the United States. However, it is unclear whether long-term allograft outcomes following uDCD are inferior to that of cDCD kidney transplantation. METHODS: From January 1995 to January 2018, the OPTN/UNOS database was queried to discover all reported cases of uDCD and cDCD kidney transplantation. Primary non-function, delayed graft function, ten-year graft and patient survival were compared among uDCD and cDCD patients. RESULTS: Rates of primary non-function (4.0% [uDCD] vs. 1.8% [cDCD], P < 0.001) and delayed graft function (51.1% [uDCD] vs. 41.7% [cDCD], P < 0.001) were higher following uDCD transplant. However, ten-year graft survival (47.5% [uDCD] vs. 48.4% [cDCD], P = 0.21) and patient survival were similar to cDCD transplantation (59.4% [uDCD] vs. 59.2% [cDCD], P = 0.32). CONCLUSION: Although initial allograft outcomes are inferior following uDCD, long-term durability of uDCD kidney allografts is on par to cDCD transplantation. Kidney allografts derived by uDCD may be a viable and durable option to increase the donor pool.

Can non-directed living liver donation help improve access to grafts and correct socioeconomic disparities in pediatric liver transplantation?

BACKGROUND: Each year, children die awaiting LT as the demand for grafts exceeds the available supply. Candidates with public health insurance are significantly less likely to undergo both deceased donor LT and D-LLD LT. ND-LLD is another option to gain access to a graft. The aim of this study was to evaluate if recipient insurance type is associated with likelihood of D-LLD versus ND-LLD LT. METHODS: The SRTR/OPTN database was reviewed for pediatric LDLT performed between January 1, 2014 (Medicaid expansion era) and December 31, 2019 at centers that performed ≥1 ND-LLD LDLT during the study period. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess relationship between type of living donor (directed vs. non-directed) and recipient insurance. RESULTS: Of 299 pediatric LDLT, 46 (15%) were from ND-LLD performed at 18 transplant centers. Fifty-nine percent of ND-LLD recipients had public insurance in comparison to 40% of D-LLD recipients (p = .02). Public insurance was associated with greater odds of ND-LLD in comparison to D-LLD upon multivariable logistic regression (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.23-4.58, p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: ND-LLD allows additional children to receive LTs and may help address some of the socioeconomic disparity in pediatric LDLT, but currently account for only a minority of LDLT and are only performed at a few institutions. Initiatives to improve access to both D-LLD and ND-LLD transplants are needed.

Viscoelastic Management of Coagulopathy during the Perioperative Period of Liver Transplantation.

Viscoelastic testing (VET) in liver transplantation (LT) has been used since its origin, in combination with standard laboratory testing (SLT). There are only a few, small, randomized controlled trials that demonstrated a reduction in transfusion rates using VET to guide coagulation management. Retrospective analyses contrasting VET to SLT have demonstrated mixed results, with a recent concern for overtreatment and the increase in postoperative thrombotic events. An oversight of many studies evaluating VET in LT is a single protocol that does not address the different phases of surgery, in addition to pre- and postoperative management. Furthermore, the coagulation spectrum of patients entering and exiting the operating room is diverse, as these patients can have varying anatomic and physiologic risk factors for thrombosis. A single transfusion strategy for all is short sighted. VET in combination with SLT creates the opportunity for personalized resuscitation in surgery which can address the many challenges in LT where patients are at a paradoxical risk for both life-threatening bleeding and clotting. With emerging data on the role of rebalanced coagulation in cirrhosis and hypercoagulability following LT, there are numerous potential roles in VET management of LT that have been unaddressed.

Choledochoduodenostomy continues to be a safe alternative for biliary reconstruction in deceased-donor liver transplantation.

Debate continues as to whether choledochoduodenostomy (CDD) can be used instead of Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (CDJ) when duct-to-duct (DTD) is not an option. We hypothesized that CDD and CDJ had similar rates of complications. All deceased-donor liver transplantations from September 2011 to March 2020 were categorized by biliary reconstruction. Primary outcomes were bleeding, bile leak, anastomotic stricture, and cholangitis. Of the 1,086 patients, 812 (74.8%) received a DTD; 225 (20.7%) received a CDD; and 49 (4.5%) received a CDJ. Cholangitis was significantly higher in CDJ compared to DTD and CDD (26.5% vs 6% vs 13.8%, p < 0.0001). When controlling for significant confounders, CDJ had 10.2 higher odds of cholangitis (95% CI 4.4-23.2) compared to DTD, and 3.3 higher odds compared to CDD (95% CI 1.4-7.8). When compared to DTD, CDJ and CDD had significantly lower odds of stricture. CDD continues to be a safe alternative for biliary reconstruction in deceased-donor liver transplantation.

Low viscoelastic clot strength, platelet transfusions, and graft dysfunction are associated with persistent postoperative ascites following liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: High output, persistent ascites (PA) is a common complication following liver transplant (LT). Recent work has identified that platelets help maintain endothelial integrity and can decrease leakage in pathological states. We sought to assess the association of PA following LT with platelet count and platelet function. METHODS: Clot strength (MA) is a measure of platelet function and was quantified using thrombelastography (TEG). Total drain output following surgery was recorded in 24-h intervals during the same time frame as TEG. PA was considered >1 L on POD7, as that much output prohibits drain removal. RESULTS: 105 LT recipients with moderate or high volume preoperative ascites were prospectively enrolled. PA occurred in 28%. Platelet transfusions before and after surgery were associated with PA, in addition to POD5 TEG MA and POD5 MELD score. Patients with PA had a longer hospital length of stay and an increased rate of intraabdominal infections. CONCLUSION: Persistent ascites following liver transplant is relatively common and associated with platelet transfusions, low clot strength, and graft dysfunction.

Fibrinolysis resistance after liver transplant as a predictor of early infection.

BACKGROUND: Infection is a leading cause of morbidity in liver transplant (LT). Considering that the fibrinolytic system is altered in sepsis, we investigated the relationship between fibrinolysis resistance (FR) and post-transplant infection. METHODS: Fibrinolysis was quantified using thrombelastography (TEG) with the addition of tPA to quantify FR. FR was defined as LY30 = 0% and stratified as transient if present on POD1 or POD5 (tFR), persistent (pFR) if present on both, or no FR (nFR) if absent. RESULTS: 180 LT recipients were prospectively enrolled. 52 (29%) recipients developed infection. 72 had tFR; 37 had pFR; and 71 had nFR. Recipients with pFR had significantly greater incidence of infections (51% vs. 26% tFR vs. 20% nFR, p = 0.002). pFR was independently associated with increased odds of post-transplant infection (adjusted OR 3.39, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Persistent fibrinolysis resistance is associated with increased risk of post-transplant infection.

Living Donor Liver Transplant Center Volume Influences Waiting List Survival Among Children Listed for Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remains infrequently performed in the United States and localized to a few centers. This study aimed to compare pediatric waiting list and posttransplant outcomes by LDLT center volume. METHODS: The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database was retrospectively reviewed for all pediatric (age <18 y) liver transplant candidates listed between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019. The average annual number of LDLT, deceased donor partial liver transplant (DDPLT), and overall (ie, LDLT + DDPLT + whole liver transplants) pediatric liver transplants performed by each transplant center during the study period was calculated. RESULTS: Of 88 transplant centers, only 44 (50%) performed at least 1 pediatric LDLT during the study period. LDLT, DDPLT, and overall transplant center volume were all positively correlated. LDLT center volume was protective against waiting list dropout after adjusting for confounding variables (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.97; P = 0.004), whereas DDPLT and overall center volume were not ( P > 0.05); however, DDPLT center volume was significantly protective against both recipient death and graft loss, whereas overall volume was only protective against graft loss and LDLT volume was not protective for either. CONCLUSIONS: High-volume pediatric LDLT center can improve waiting list survival, whereas DDPLT and overall volume are associated with posttransplant survival. Expertise in all types of pediatric liver transplant options is important to optimize outcomes.

The vexing triad of obesity, alcohol, and coagulopathy predicts the need for multiple operations in liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: One in four liver transplants (LT) require return to the operating room(R-OR) within 48 h of surgery. We hypothesize that donor, recipient, and intraoperative factors will predict R-OR. METHODS: LT recipients were enrolled in an observational study to measure coagulation with thrombelastography (TEG) were assessed with transplant recipient and donor variables for risk of R-OR. RESULTS: 160 recipients with a median age of 55 years and a MELD-Na of 22 were analyzed. R-OR occurred in 22%. Recipient BMI (p = 0.006), donor heavy alcohol use (p = 0.017), TEG MA (p = 0.013) during the anhepatic phase of surgery, TEG MA at anhepatic and 30-min after reperfusion (p < 0.05), and red blood cell transfusions (p < 0.001) were associated with R-OR. CONCLUSION: The vexing triad of recipient obesity, heavy donor alcohol use, and low TEG MA were associated with a high rate of R-OR. Strategies to reduce this sub-optimal combination of risk factors could reduce the frequency of unplanned re-operations.