Risk factors of rejection after penetrating keratoplasty: a retrospective monocentric study.

PURPOSE: To assess risk factors of rejection after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). METHODS: This retrospective monocentric study assessed risk factors for rejection in patients who underwent PKP at Montpellier University Hospital between June 2005 and September 2018. Graft and donor data were obtained from our tissue bank in Montpellier. Clinical data of recipients were recorded from medical files. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meir method. Potential risk factors of rejection were assessed by multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, estimating hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among the 316 consecutive patients (59% male, mean SD] age 52 [17]), 360 eyes underwent PKP. Indications for PKP were bullous keratopathy (27%), infectious keratitis (20%), and keratoconus (15%). The median follow-up was 44 months (IQR 22-73). The overall graft survival and irreversible rejection rate at 5 years were 70% and 29%, respectively. Factors associated with risk of rejection were prior indication for graft rejection (SHR [CI 95%] = 7.8 [2.6-23.1]), trauma (SHR [CI 95%] = 3.6 [1.1-11.7]), and infectious keratitis (SHR [CI 95%] = 2.7 [1.2-11.1]), history of corneal neovascularization (SHR [CI 95%] = 2.1 [1.2-3.8]), hypertonia (SHR [CI 95%] = 2.8 [1.8-4.3]), and mixed sex matching (SHR [CI 95%] = 2.0 [1.01-4.0]). CONCLUSION: The significant risk factors of graft rejection after PKP found in this study agree with those from major international cohorts: prior indication for graft rejection, history of neovascularization and high intraocular pressure. Sex matching donor-recipient is a most recent parameter in the literature confirmed by the present analysis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04791696.

Penetrating Keratoplasty Versus Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty in Children With Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy: Long-Term Results.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in patients with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED). METHODS: This was a retrospective, comparative study of all the patients with a histopathological diagnosis of CHED who underwent PKP or DSAEK between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2016. All the cases were included except those patients who had clear grafts but did not complete 2 years of postoperative follow-up. The main outcome measure was graft clarity 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: There were 111 eyes of 63 patients. Seventy-six eyes underwent PKP, and 35 eyes underwent DSAEK. The median age at surgery was 6.8 years in the PKP group and 10.32 years in the DSAEK group. At 2 years postoperatively, clear grafts were noted in 66 of 76 (86.8%) eyes in the PKP group and 30 of 35 (85.7%) eyes in the DSAEK group. At the last follow-up, 80.3% of PKP grafts and 82.8% of DSAEK grafts were clear ( P =0.5). The type and timing of complications differed between the 2 groups. The PKP group had a statistically significant higher rate of graft rejection (19.5%) versus the DSAEK group (0%) ( P =0.01). DSAEK complications were mainly lenticule detachment that developed within one month postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in the visual outcomes at the last follow-up between the groups. CONCLUSION: Endothelial keratoplasty is a safe alternative to conventional PKP in CHED. The visual outcome and survival rates were comparable, but DSAEK had a lower rejection rate and fewer suture-related complications.

African American Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients Have an Increased Risk of Death After Transferring to Adult Healthcare.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the long-term outcomes in pediatric liver transplant recipients after they have transferred to an adult provider and assess for racial disparities in health outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This is a single-center, retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation between July 1990 and August 2015 at a tertiary healthcare system with a large transplant center. Patient mortality and retransplantation were assessed after transfer to adult care. RESULTS: There were 120 patients who were transferred, of whom 19 did not meet the inclusion criteria. Of the remaining 101 patients, 64 (63%) transferred care to a nearby affiliated tertiary adult facility, 29 (29%) were followed by other healthcare systems, and 8 (8%) were lost to follow-up. Of the patients followed at our affiliated adult center, 18 of the 64 (28%) died. Of those 18 deaths, 4 (22%) occurred within the first 2 years after transfer, and 10 (55%) within 5 years of transfer. Four patients were retransplanted by an adult provider, of whom 2 eventually received a third transplant. African Americans had higher rates of death after transfer than patients of other races (44% mortality vs 16%, representing 67% of all cases of death; P = .032), with nearly 50% mortality at 20 years from time of transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Death is common in pediatric liver transplant recipients after transfer to adult care, with African Americans having disproportionately higher mortality. This period of transition of care is a vulnerable time, and measures must be taken to ensure the safe transfer of young adults with chronic health care needs.

Re-transplantation in pediatric patients with failure of primary transplant due to recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: A pediatric nephrology research consortium study.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in kidney transplant recipients is associated with lower graft survival and increased morbidity. There are limited data to guide the decision to re-transplant patients with transplant failure due to FSGS recurrence. We aimed to evaluate outcomes in patients re-transplanted after having initial graft failure due to recurrent FSGS and to study physician attitudes and practice patterns. METHODS: Retrospective data from 10 centers were collected on 20 patients transplanted between January 1997 and September 2018. A survey was sent to nephrologist members of the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium. RESULTS: Mean patient age (years) was 9.8 ± 4.8 at first transplant and 15.9 ± 4.9 at re-transplantation. Pre-transplant plasmapheresis was used in 1 (5.3%) primary transplant vs. 7 (38.9%) re-transplants (p = .03). Nephrotic syndrome recurred in 14 patients (70%) after re-transplantation and was severe in 21.1% vs. 64.7% after first transplant (p = .04). Graft survival was significantly higher in the second transplant (p .009) with 70% having functioning grafts at a median of 25.2 months. Thirty-one physicians from 21 centers completed the survey, 94% indicated they would re-transplant such patients, 44.4% preferred a minimum waiting period before re-transplantation, 36.4% preferred living donors, and 22.2% indicated having protocols for re-transplantation at their centers. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration for re-transplantation is high among pediatric nephrologists. Pre-transplant plasmapheresis was more frequent in re-transplanted patients. Nephrotic syndrome recurrence was less severe, with better graft survival. More data and a larger population are necessary to further evaluate outcome determinants and best practices in this special population.

Rapid re-transplantation safety following early kidney graft loss.

INTRODUCTION: Early graft loss is a devastating kidney transplant complication associated with high mortality and an increased risk of sensitization to antigens from the failed graft. Moreover, if rapid re-transplantation were to occur, given that the human leukocyte antigen antibodies identification may not be reliable until several weeks after transplantation, the recipient's immunological status would be uncertain. Hence, there could be an increased immunological risk. To date, there is no information on whether a rapid re-transplantation after early graft loss, without a new reliable anti-HLA determination, is safe. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the number of rejections and the graft survival of re-transplanted patients with early graft loss (defined as graft failure before 30 days from transplant) from our centre between June 2003 and November 2019. The studied population was divided into rapid re-transplantation (performed within 30 days of early graft loss) and late re-transplantation (performed beyond those 30 days). RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were re-transplanted after early graft loss. There were nine rapid re-transplantation cases with an 89% five-year graft survival and one antibody-mediated rejection episode. Furthermore, we identified 38 cases of late re-transplantation with a 69% five-year graft survival, 4 T cell-mediated, and 11 antibody-mediated rejections. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid re-transplantation appears to be safe and does not entail increased rejection risk, nor does it impact long-term graft survival when compared to late re-transplantation.

Pembrolizumab-induced severe rejection and graft intolerance syndrome resulting in renal allograft nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Pembrolizumab is a selective anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits PD-1 activity by binding to the PD-1 receptor that is found on activated T-cells. The goal of the treatment is to allow the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells by preventing cancer cells from binding to PD-1 receptors, leading to decreased tumor growth. The activation of T-cells by pembrolizumab not only leads to the destruction of malignant cells but also attacks the donor alloantigens that are present in a renal transplant, resulting in graft rejection. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 46-year-old African American female with history of renal transplant who was treated with pembrolizumab for stage IV B endometrial adenocarcinoma and experienced renal transplant rejection and severe graft intolerance syndrome.Management and outcome: Due to ongoing graft intolerance, a transplant nephrectomy was performed. Allograft pathology was consistent with non-viable kidney with tubulitis, interstitial fibrosis and necrosis consistent with transplant rejection without any evidence of malignancy. DISCUSSION: As emphasized in our case, there is a very high risk of graft rejection in patients who need to be placed on immunomodulators such as pembrolizumab, so the risk versus benefit needs to be assessed and discussed. Our case is unique because pembrolizumab not only caused graft rejection but also severe graft intolerance syndrome which led to transplant nephrectomy. Further guidelines are needed in renal transplant patients requiring PD-1 inhibitors to establish the ideal treatment plan of immunosuppression management and anti-cancer treatments.

Renal artery embolization of non-functioning graft: an effective treatment for graft intolerance syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous renal artery embolization is a valid non-invasive technique alternative to nephrectomy for patients with symptomatic non-functioning allograft (graft intolerance syndrome-GIS). The purpose of this article is to report the experience of our centre. METHODS: We analysed retrospectively 15 patients with symptomatic non-functioning renal allograft treated with percutaneous embolization from 2003 to 2017. Occlusion was obtained with the injection of calibrated microspheres of increasing size (from 100 to 900 µm) and completed with 5 to 8 mm metal coils placement in the renal artery. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all cases at the end of the procedure. Clinical success was obtained in 11 patients (73%). In four cases, nephrectomy was necessary: in one case because of septic fever and in three cases because of GIS persistence. In one case, it was possible to perform another procedure to embolize a perirenal collateral from a lumbar artery. Four patients (27%) reported minor complications which spontaneously resolved during the hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: According to the scientific literature, we believe that, in selected patients, percutaneous renal artery embolization is a valid treatment option for GIS thanks to its efficacy, repeatability, minimal invasiveness and the absence of severe complications.

Time to second kidney transplantation in young adults after failed pediatric kidney transplant.

BACKGROUND: Under the current kidney allocation system, pediatric candidates listed prior to age 18 receive priority for high-quality deceased donor organs. This has resulted in a decline in living donor transplantation in pediatrics, despite superior outcomes of living donor transplantation. Due to a young age at transplantation, most pediatric kidney transplant recipients require re-transplantation. The effects of a previously failed deceased donor vs a previously failed living donor on re-transplant candidates are unknown. METHODS: Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, we examined 2772 re-transplant recipients aged 18-30 years at time of relisting for second KT from 2000 to 2018 with history of prior pediatric KT (age ≤ 18 years). RESULTS: PFLDKT recipients compared to those with PFDDKT had shorter median waiting times and dialysis time regardless of their second donor type (14.0 vs 20.3 months, and 19.1 vs 34.5 months, respectively). PFLDKT recipients had higher re-transplant rates (adjusted HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.09-1.27, and adjusted HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.95-1.15 when calculating from time of relisting and time of returning to dialysis, respectively). PFDDKT recipients were more likely to have higher median PRA levels (90% vs 73%). CONCLUSIONS: Re-transplant candidates who received a previous deceased donor as a child had a higher level of sensitization, longer waiting time, and dialysis exposure compared to those with PFLDKT. Among primary pediatric kidney transplant candidates, consideration should be considered for living donor transplantation, despite the priority for deceased donor organs, to avoid increased sensitization and longer waiting times for with re-transplantation.

Pediatric retransplantation of the liver: A prognostic scoring tool.

Few prognostic models have been created in children that receive liver retransplantation (rLT). We examined the SRTR database of 731 children that underwent second liver transplant between 2002 and 2018. Proportional hazards models using backward variable selection were used to identify recipient, donor, and surgical characteristics associated with survival. A simple prognostic scoring system or nomogram (ie, each risk factor was weighted on a five-point scale) was constructed based on the fitted model. Recipient age (P < .001), MELD/PELD (P < .001), recipient ventilated (P = .003), donor cause of death (P = .024), graft type (P = .045), first graft loss due to biliary tract complications (P = .048), and survival time of the first graft (P = .006) were significant predictors of retransplant survival. The bias-corrected Harrell's C-index for the multivariable model was 0.63. Survival was significantly different (P < .001) for those at low risk (0-4 points), medium risk (5-7 points), and high risk (8+ points). Survival was equivalent between low risk pediatric second transplant recipients and pediatric primary liver transplant recipients (P = .67) but significantly worse for medium- (P < .001) and high-risk (P < .001) recipients. With simple clinical characteristics, this scoring tool can modestly discriminate between those children at high risk and those children at low risk of poor outcomes after second liver transplant.

The Failing Kidney Transplant Allograft. Transplant Nephrectomy: Current State-of-the-Art.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review provides a critical literature overview of the risks and benefits of transplantectomy in patients with a failed allograft. Additionally, it offers a summary of related problems, primarily alloantibody sensitization in the event of nephrectomy and immunosuppression weaning. RECENT FINDINGS: Transplant nephrectomy has high morbidity and mortality rates. The morbidity of transplant nephrectomy (4.3 to 82%) is mostly due to hemorrhage or infection. Mortality rates range from 1.2 to 39%, and most are due to sepsis. Transvascular graft embolization has been described as a less invasive alternative technique for the management of symptomatic graft rejection, with minimal complications compared with transplantectomy. The number of patients with a failed allograft returning to dialysis is increasing. The role of allograft nephrectomy in the management of asymptomatic transplant failure is still controversial and up today continues to depend on the usual clinical practice of each institution. The less invasive transvascular embolization could have applicability in asymptomatic patients with the obvious lower morbidity and mortality rate.

Successful repair of kidney graft artery rupture secondary to infection using a preprocessed homologous "Y"-shaped iliac artery.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study aims to describe novel ways of repair kidney allograft artery rupture secondary to infection using a preprocessed homologous "Y"-shaped iliac artery. METHODS: Five patients' whose course was complicated by graft arterial rupture were included in the rupture group, and patients who received the kidney from the same donor were included in the control group. In the rupture group, the iliac artery used for revascularization was harvested from a DCD donor, pre-treated with absolute diethyl ether, followed by absolute alcohol, and then preserved in 75% alcohol. A biopsy of the arterial graft was obtained and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Once a patient was diagnosed with kidney allograft arterial rupture by ultrasound, emergency surgery was conducted and the preprocessed "Y"-shaped iliac artery was used for bridging. RESULTS: Five patents were included in the rupture group. The "Y"-shaped iliac artery grafts were successfully preprocessed, H&E staining and electron microscope observation revealed few visible nuclei, with karyorrhexis and karyolysis. There were no significant differences in the long-term graft survival between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, using preprocessed homologous "Y"-shaped iliac artery provides a useful method to bridge the vascular defects from kidney graft artery rupture secondary to infection in renal allograft recipients.

Pancreas transplantation following total pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Total pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis leads to brittle diabetes and challenging glycemic control with half of all patients experiencing severe hypoglycemia, many requiring medical intervention or hospitalization. Pancreas transplantation has the potential to manage both the endocrine and the exocrine insufficiency in this patient population. METHODS: Between June 1, 2005, and July 1, 2016, 8 patients with brittle diabetes following total pancreatectomy underwent pancreas transplantation. All grafts had systemic venous and enteric exocrine drainage. Data included demographics, graft and patient survival, pre- and post-transplant supplementation with pancreatic enzymes, and narcotic usage. RESULTS: Patient survival rate at 1 and 3 years was 88%. Pancreas graft survival rate of those alive at 1 year was 100% and 86%, respectively. About 75% of these patients remained insulin-free until their time of death, loss of follow-up, or present day. Of the patients with maintained graft function at 3 years, none required further hospitalization for glycemic control. About 75% of these patients have also maintained exocrine function without pancreatic enzyme supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreas transplant can treat both exocrine and endocrine insufficiency and give long-term insulin-free survival and should be considered as a viable treatment option for patients who have undergone total pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis.

Parathyroid carcinoma arising from auto-transplanted parathyroid tissue after Total Parathyroidectomy in chronic kidney disease patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a common complication in patients with chronic kidney disease that requires vigilant treatment due to its high mortality rate. Pharmacologic therapy is recommended as an initial treatment; if there is no response, a total parathyroidectomy is performed. In some cases, surgery is accompanied by auto-transplantation of parathyroid tissue. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and received a kidney transplant. However, due to rejection of the transplanted kidney, medical nephrectomy was carried out and routine hemodialysis was initiated and observed. At this time, secondary hyperparathyroidism with elevated parathyroid hormone and hyperphosphatemia developed and pharmacologic treatment was applied. However, there was no response to pharmacologic treatment; therefore, total parathyroidectomy with auto-transplantation was performed. Eight years after surgery, a growing mass was observed in the transplantation site, accompanied by an elevation of parathyroid hormone. A complete resection of the mass was performed, and the patient was diagnosed with parathyroid carcinoma. Additional adjuvant radiation therapy was ordered, and the patient is being monitored. CONCLUSIONS: This is a rare but remarkable case of parathyroid carcinoma arising from auto-transplanted parathyroid tissue after total parathyroidectomy in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism. We suggest caution should be taken when choosing to auto- transplant parathyroid tissue and that careful postoperative observation should be performed.

Repeat corneal transplantation in Auckland, New Zealand: Indications, visual outcomes and risk factors for repeat keratoplasty failure.

IMPORTANCE: In New Zealand, repeat keratoplasty has become the second leading indication for corneal transplantation. BACKGROUND: To report the indications, outcomes and survival of repeat keratoplasty and evaluate the risk factors for graft failure. DESIGN: Retrospective study in a public corneal service. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred nineteen patients undergoing 279 repeat keratoplasty procedures during 1991-2017. METHODS: The New Zealand National Eye Bank prospectively collects data on all corneal transplants. This was utilized to identify patients undergoing repeat keratoplasty in Auckland. Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Graft survival and visual outcome. RESULTS: The repeat keratoplasty technique was penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in 242 cases (86.7%) and endothelial keratoplasty in 37 (13.3%). The most common primary indication was keratoconus (46.6%). The most common indication for repeat keratoplasty was endothelial decompensation (37.6%). For PK performed as a repeat keratoplasty, the median survival in years was 12.0 for first, 3.5 for second and 2.3 for third repeat keratoplasty. Keratoconus had the longest graft survival (median 13.0 years). In surviving grafts, median visual acuity was 6/15 at 1 year and 6/12 at 2 years. On multivariate analysis, regraft number (P = .022), non-European ethnicity (P = .007), concurrent surgical procedure (P < .0005), lower donor endothelial density (P = .028), previous glaucoma surgery (P < .0005), postoperative raised intraocular pressure (P = .001) and graft rejection (P = .032) were associated with keratoplasty failure. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Repeat keratoplasty survival is affected by multiple interacting factors and prognosis worsens with each subsequent regraft. These results will help guide clinicians in addressing patients' individual risk factors when embarking on repeat corneal transplant surgery.

Impact of ureteral stricture and treatment choice on long-term graft survival in kidney transplantation.

We aimed to evaluate the influence of urological complications occurring within the first year after kidney transplantation on long-term patient and graft outcomes, and sought to examine the impact of the management approach of ureteral strictures on long-term graft function. We collected data on urological complications occurring within the first year posttransplant. Graft survivals, patient survival, and rejection rates were compared between recipients with and without urological complications. Male gender of the recipient, delayed graft function, and donor age were found to be significant risk factors for urological complications after kidney transplantation (P < .05). Death censored graft survival analysis showed that only ureteral strictures had a negative impact on long-term graft survival (P = .0009) compared to other complications. Death censored graft survival was significantly shorter in kidney recipients managed initially with minimally invasive approach when compared to the recipients with no stricture (P = .001). However, graft survival was not statistically different in patients managed initially with open surgery (P = .47). Ureteral strictures following kidney transplantation appear to be strongly negatively correlated with long-term graft survival. Our analysis suggests that kidney recipients with ureteral stricture should be managed initially with open surgery, with better long-term graft survival.

Pregnancy outcomes following single and repeat liver transplantation: An international 2-center cohort.

Due to advances in obstetric and transplant medicine, women with a history of liver transplantation can have successful pregnancies. However, data on pregnancy outcomes is still limited, especially for women who have had a repeat liver transplant following graft rejection. This retrospective study compares pregnancy outcomes in women with single and repeat liver transplants managed at 2 tertiary hospitals in Toronto, Canada and Leuven, Belgium. We identified 41 pregnancies in 28 transplanted women, 6 of whom conceived following a second liver transplant after the first was rejected. Mean maternal age at delivery was 30 ± 7 years, and transplant-to-pregnancy interval was 8.5 ± 5.1 years. All women had normal liver function upon conception. Immunosuppressants included tacrolimus ± azathioprine (n = 26), cyclosporine (n = 4), and prednisone with immunosuppressants (n = 11). There were no maternal deaths. Maternal complications included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (n = 10), deterioration in renal function (n = 6), gestational diabetes (n = 4), graft deterioration (n = 2), and anemia requiring blood transfusion (n = 1). Fetal/neonatal adverse outcomes included 2 miscarriages, 3 stillbirths, 1 neonatal death, 5 small-for-gestational-age infants, and 1 minor congenital anomaly. Mean gestational age at delivery was 36.7 ± 4.2 weeks. There were 14 (38.9%) preterm births. Outcomes in women with a second transplant were similar to those with a single transplant, except for a higher incidence of hypertensive disorders. In conclusion, with appropriate multidisciplinary care, stable graft function at pregnancy onset, and adherence to immunosuppressive regimens, women with single and repeat liver transplants have low rates of graft complications but remain at increased risk for pregnancy complications. Immunosuppressants and high-dose glucocorticoids can be safely used for maintenance of graft function and management of graft deterioration in pregnancy. Liver Transplantation 24 769-778 2018 AASLD.

Outcomes of pancreas retransplantation in patients with pancreas graft failure.

BACKGROUND: Pancreas retransplantation is still a controversial option after loss of a pancreatic graft. This article describes the experience of pancreas retransplantation at a high-volume centre. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of all pancreas retransplantations performed in a single centre between 1997 and 2013. Pancreatic graft loss was defined by the return to insulin dependence. Risk factors for graft loss as well as patient and graft survival were analysed using logistic and time-to-event regression models. RESULTS: Of 409 pancreas transplantations undertaken, 52 (12·7 per cent) were identified as pancreas retransplantations. After a median follow-up of 65·0 (range 0·8-174·3) months, 1- and 5-year graft survival rates were 79 and 69 per cent respectively, and 1- and 5-year patient survival rates were 96 and 89 per cent. During the entire follow-up, 22 grafts (42 per cent) were lost. Patient survival was not associated with any of the donor- or recipient-related factors investigated. Five-year graft survival was better after simultaneous kidney-pancreas retransplantation than pancreas retransplantation alone: 80 per cent (16 of 20) versus 63 per cent (20 of 32) (P = 0·226). Acute rejection (odds ratio 4·49, 95 per cent c.i. 1·59 to 12·68; P = 0·005) and early surgical complications (OR 3·29, 1·09 to 9·99, P = 0·035) were identified as factors with an independent negative effect on graft survival. CONCLUSION: Pancreas retransplantation may be considered for patients whose previous graft has failed.

Histopathology of 460 liver allografts removed at retransplantation: A shift in disease patterns over 27 years.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Approximately 10%-19% of liver transplant recipients develop irreversible graft failure requiring retransplantation. We reviewed the histology of failed grafts removed at retransplantation in our center over 27 years. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-six adults and 118 children underwent retransplantation from 1987 to 2014, receiving 321 and 139 liver grafts, respectively. We analyzed graft histology, recipient demographics, indications and time interval to retransplantation. We divided retransplantation in 3 eras: A (1987-1994), B (1995-2001), and C (2002-2014). RESULTS: A total of 3298 adult and 938 pediatric primary liver transplants were conducted in our center, and 8.4% of adults and 12.6% of children experienced retransplantation. Considering the changes throughout the eras, the proportion of chronic rejection declined, while that of unexplained chronic fibrosing hepatitis increased steadily, representing the main reason for retransplantation conducted >10 years after primary transplant in children, and second in adults in the most recent era. This chronic hepatitis of the graft might correspond to a slowly evolving form of rejection, possibly with a humoral component, associated with progressive graft fibrosis and eventually failure. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a shift in histopathology of failed liver grafts, with increasing relevance of chronic idiopathic hepatitis associated with progressive fibrosis and graft failure.

The liver recipient with acute renal dysfunction: A single institution evaluation of the simultaneous liver-kidney transplant candidate.

The Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) listing criteria for simultaneous liver-kidney transplant (SLK) are not well defined. Concerns remain about rising numbers of SLKs, which divert quality kidneys from candidates awaiting kidney transplants (KT). We performed a retrospective review of liver transplants (LTs) at our center from 2004 to 2014; 127 recipients (liver transplant alone; 102 LTA, 25 SLK) were identified with short-term preoperative kidney dysfunction (creatinine >4 mg/dL or preoperative hemodialysis [HD] for <6 weeks). Both cohorts had comparable baseline demographic characteristics with the exception of higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in the LTA group (41.4 vs 32.9, P < .0001) and higher incidence of pre-LT diabetes in the SLK cohort (52% vs 26.5%, P = .0176). Duration of pre-LT HD was higher in SLK recipients, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .39). Renal nonrecovery (RNR) rate in LTA cohort was low (<5%). No significant difference was noted in 1-year mortality, liver graft rejection/failure, or length of stay (LOS) between the cohorts. Thus, it appears that liver recipients with short-term (<6 weeks) HD or AKI without HD have comparable outcomes between LTA and SLK. With provisions for a KT safety net, as proposed by OPTN, LTA may be the most adequate option for these patients.

Graft intolerance syndrome requiring graft nephrectomy after late kidney graft failure: can it be predicted? A retrospective cohort study.

Graft nephrectomy is recommended in case of early graft failure. When the graft fails more than 3-6 months after transplantation, it is current practice to follow a wait-and-see policy. A common indication for graft removal is the graft intolerance syndrome. We aimed to create a risk prediction model for the occurrence of graft intolerance resulting in graft nephrectomy. We collected data of kidney transplantations performed in our center between 1980 and 2010 that failed at least 6 months after transplantation. We evaluated the association between baseline characteristics and the occurrence of graft nephrectomy because of graft intolerance using a competing risk regression model. Prognostic factors were included in a multivariate prediction model. In- and exclusion criteria were met in 288 cases. In 48 patients, the graft was removed because of graft intolerance. Donor age, the number of rejections, and shorter graft survival were predictive factors for graft nephrectomy because of the graft intolerance syndrome. These factors were included in a prediction rule. Using donor age, graft survival, and the number of rejections, clinicians can predict the need for graft nephrectomy with a reasonable accuracy.