Recent outcomes of liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome: A study of the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) and affiliated centers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Management of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) has improved over the last decades. The main aim was to evaluate the contemporary post-liver transplant (post-LT) outcomes in Europe. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Data from all patients who underwent transplantation from 1976 to 2020 was obtained from the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR). Patients < 16 years, with secondary BCS or HCC were excluded. Patient survival (PS) and graft survival (GS) before and after 2000 were compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified predictors of PS and GS after 2000. Supplemental data was requested from all ELTR-affiliated centers and received from 44. In all, 808 patients underwent transplantation between 2000 and 2020. One-, 5- and 10-year PS was 84%, 77%, and 68%, and GS was 79%, 70%, and 62%, respectively. Both significantly improved compared to outcomes before 2000 ( p < 0.001). Median follow-up was 50 months and retransplantation rate was 12%. Recipient age (aHR:1.04,95%CI:1.02-1.06) and MELD score (aHR:1.04,95%CI:1.01-1.06), especially above 30, were associated with worse PS, while male sex had better outcomes (aHR:0.63,95%CI:0.41-0.96). Donor age was associated with worse PS (aHR:1.01,95%CI:1.00-1.03) and GS (aHR:1.02,95%CI:1.01-1.03). In 353 patients (44%) with supplemental data, 33% had myeloproliferative neoplasm, 20% underwent TIPS pre-LT, and 85% used anticoagulation post-LT. Post-LT anticoagulation was associated with improved PS (aHR:0.29,95%CI:0.16-0.54) and GS (aHR:0.48,95%CI:0.29-0.81). Hepatic artery thrombosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) occurred in 9% and 7%, while recurrent BCS was rare (3%). CONCLUSIONS: LT for BCS results in excellent patient- and graft-survival. Older recipient or donor age and higher MELD are associated with poorer outcomes, while long-term anticoagulation improves both patient and graft outcomes.

Recipient age influences survival after liver transplant: Results of the French national cohort 2007-2017.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, age at liver transplantation (LT) has markedly increased. In the context of organ shortage, we investigated the impact of recipient age on post-transplantation mortality. METHODS: All adult patients who received a first LT between 2007 and 2017 were included in this cross-sectional study. Recipients' characteristics at the time of listing, donor and surgery data, post-operative complications and follow-up of vital status were retrieved from the national transplantation database. The impact of age on 5-year overall mortality post-LT was estimated using a flexible multivariable parametric model which was also used to estimate the association between age and 10-year net survival, accounting for expected age- and sex-related mortality. RESULTS: Among the 7610 patients, 21.4% were aged 60-65 years, and 15.7% over 65. With increasing age, comorbidities increased but severity of liver disease decreased. Older recipient age was associated with decreased observed survival at 5 years after LT (p < .001), with a significant effect particularly during the first 2 years. The linear increase in the risk of death associated with age does not allow any definition of an age's threshold for LT (p = .832). Other covariates associated with an increased risk of 5-year death were dialysis and mechanical ventilation at transplant, transfusion during LT, hepatocellular carcinoma and donor age. Ten-year flexible net survival analysis confirmed these results. CONCLUSION: Although there was a selection process for older recipients, increasing age at LT was associated with an increased risk of death, particularly in the first years after LT.

Comparing indications, complexity and outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection between centers with and without a liver transplant program: a French nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: There are no data to evaluate the difference in populations and impact of centers with liver transplant programs in performing laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). METHODS: This was a multicenter study including patients undergoing LLR for benign and malignant tumors at 27 French centers from 1996 to 2018. The main outcomes were postoperative severe morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 3154 patients were included, and 14 centers were classified as transplant centers (N = 2167 patients, 68.7 %). The transplant centers performed more difficult LLRs and more resections for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who more frequently had cirrhosis. A higher rate of performing the Pringle maneuver, a lower rate of blood loss and a higher rate of open conversion (all p < 0.05) were observed in the transplant centers. There was no association between the presence of a liver transplant program and either postoperative severe morbidity (<10 % in each group; p = 0.228) or mortality (1 % in each group; p = 0.915). CONCLUSIONS: Most HCCs, difficult LLRs, and cirrhotic patients are treated in transplant centers. We show that all centers can achieve comparable safety and quality of care in LLR independent of the presence of a liver transplant program.

Additional value of interleukin-6 level to predict histopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inflammatory biomarkers are increasingly used as outcome predictors in the field of oncology and liver transplantation for HCC, but no study has shown the prognostic value of IL6 after LT. The goal of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of IL-6 on histopathological features of HCC on explant, its predictive value on recurrence risk and its additional value to other scores and inflammatory markers at the time of transplantation. METHODS: From 2009 to 2019, all adults transplanted with a first liver graft and diagnosed with HCC on the explant analysis were retrospectively included (n = 229). Only patients who had a pre-LT IL6 level determination were analysed in this study (n = 204). RESULTS: High IL-6 level at transplantation was associated with a significantly higher risk of vascular invasion (15% vs 6%; p = 0.023), microsatellitosis (11% vs 3%; p = 0.013), lower rate of histological response both in terms of complete response (2% vs 14%, p = 0.004) and of necrosis (p = 0.010). Patients with pre-LT IL-6 level > 15 ng/ml had a lower overall and cancer-specific survival (p = 0.013). Recurrence-free survival was lower in patients with IL-6 > 15 ng/ml with a 3-year recurrence-free survival of 88% versus 78% (p = 0.034). IL6 levels were significantly higher in patients with early recurrence compared to patients without (p = 0.002) or with late recurrence (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: IL6 level at transplantation is an independent predictor of pejorative histological features of HCC and is associated to the risk of recurrence.

Pancreatectomy After Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX Chemotherapy: Identifying Factors Predicting Long-Term Survival.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the association of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with pancreatectomy with vascular resection in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Clinical data from patients who underwent pancreatic resection after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX were retrospectively reviewed. Cox analyses were used to identify factors prognostic of overall survival (OS). RESULTS: FOLFIRINOX protocol was administered pre-operatively with a median number of nine cycles (range 2-18) in 98 patients. Types of resections included pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 53), total pancreatectomy (n = 17), and distal spleno-pancreatectomy (n = 28). Venous resection and arterial resections were performed in 85 (86.7%) and 64 patients (65.3%), respectively. The overall 90-day mortality and morbidity rates were 6.1% (n = 6) and 47% (n = 47), respectively. The median OS was 31.08 months after surgery. OS rates at one, three, five, and 10 years were 82%, 47%, 28%, and 21%, respectively. According to the type of vascular resection, median OS and 5-year survival rates were exclusive venous resection (31.08 months; 23%) and arterial resections (24.7 months; 27%). Multivariate Cox analysis found lymph node involvement, venous invasion, and total pancreatectomy as independent prognostic factors for OS. According to the presence of 0 or 1-3 risk factors, 5-year survival (85% vs 16%) and median overall survival rates (not reached versus 24.7 months, respectively) were statistically significantly different (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A multimodal treatment, including neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX combined with pancreatectomy with venous and arterial resection, achieves long term survival rates in patients with locally advanced disease. Surgery, in experienced centers, should be integrated into the treatment of patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

Protective Role of Tacrolimus, Deleterious Role of Age and Comorbidities in Liver Transplant Recipients With Covid-19: Results From the ELITA/ELTR Multi-center European Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite concerns that liver transplant (LT) recipients may be at increased risk of unfavorable outcomes from COVID-19 due the high prevalence of co-morbidities, immunosuppression and ageing, a detailed analysis of their effects in large studies is lacking. METHODS: Data from adult LT recipients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection were collected across Europe. All consecutive patients with symptoms were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Between March 1 and June 27, 2020, data from 243 adult symptomatic cases from 36 centers and 9 countries were collected. Thirty-nine (16%) were managed as outpatients while 204 (84%) required hospitalization including admission to the ICU (39 of 204, 19.1%). Forty-nine (20.2%) patients died after a median of 13.5 (10-23) days, respiratory failure was the major cause. After multivariable Cox regression analysis, age >70 (HR, 4.16; 95% CI, 1.78-9.73) had a negative effect and tacrolimus (TAC) use (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.99) had a positive independent effect on survival. The role of co-morbidities was strongly influenced by the dominant effect of age where comorbidities increased with the increasing age of the recipients. In a second model excluding age, both diabetes (HR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.06-3.58) and chronic kidney disease (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.05-3.67) emerged as associated with death CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-five percent of patients requiring hospitalization for COVID-19 died, the risk being higher in patients older than 70 and with medical co-morbidities, such as impaired renal function and diabetes. Conversely, the use of TAC was associated with a better survival thus encouraging clinicians to keep TAC at the usual dose.

Pretransplant Intensive Care Unit Management and Selection of Grade 3 Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Transplant Candidates.

The aim of this study is to report on the liver transplantation (LT) activity and posttransplant outcome, over time, of patients with grade 3 acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF-3) in a single transplant center performing a large number of LTs for patients with ACLF-3. It aims at showing how pre-LT intensive care unit (ICU) management impacts post-LT outcomes, in particular through monitoring the transplantation for ACLF-3 model (TAM) score. A total of 100 patients who had ACLF-3 at the time of LT between 2007 and 2019 were included retrospectively. The cohort was divided in 2 periods, with 50 patients in each period. There was an increase in the number of patients with ACLF-3 who received an LT during the course of the study period and significantly higher 1-year post-LT survival rates in the second period compared with the first period (86% versus 66%, respectively; P = 0.02). Interestingly, patients during both periods had similar severity profiles and scores apart from a significantly lower number of patients with TAM scores >2 at the time of LT in the second period compared with the first period (1 [2%] versus 11 [22%], respectively; P ≤ 0.01). In addition, patients whose clinical condition improved in the ICU (with a TAM score downstaged between admission and LT) had significantly higher post-LT survival rates than those whose TAM score stayed the same or increased: 88% versus 70%, respectively (P = 0.04). This study shows a learning curve in LT for patients with ACLF-3, with optimized ICU management and patient selection leading to increased numbers of LTs for patients with ACLF-3 and improved post-LT outcomes. It also delineates how the TAM score can be used to identify the optimal transplantability window for patients with ACLF-3.

Location and allocation: Inequity of access to liver transplantation for patients with severe acute-on-chronic liver failure in Europe.

There is growing evidence that liver transplantation (LT) is the most effective treatment for acute-on-chronic liver failure grade-3 (ACLF-3). This study examines whether and how this evidence translates into practice by analyzing the variability in intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, listing strategies, and LT activity for patients with ACLF-3 across transplantation centers in Europe. Consecutive patients who were admitted to the ICU with ACLF-3, whether or not they were listed and/or transplanted with ACLF-3, between 2018 and 2019 were included across 20 transplantation centers. A total of 351 patients with ACLF-3 were included: 33 had been listed prior to developing ACLF-3 and 318 had not been listed at the time of admission to the ICU. There was no correlation between the number of unlisted patients with ACLF-3 admitted to the ICU and the number listed or transplanted while in ACLF-3 across centers. By contrast, there was a correlation between the number of patients listed and the number transplanted while in ACLF-3. About 21% of patients who were listed while in ACLF-3 died on the waiting list or were delisted. The percentage of LT for patients with ACLF-3 varied from 0% to 29% for those transplanted with decompensated cirrhosis across centers (average = 8%), with an I2 index of 68% (95% confidence interval, 49%-80%), showing substantial heterogeneity among centers. The 1-year survival for all patients with ACLF-3 was significantly higher in centers that listed and transplanted more patients with ACLF-3 (>10 patients) than in centers that listed and transplanted fewer: 36% versus 20%, respectively (p = 0.012). Patients with ACLF-3 face inequity of access to LT across Europe. Waitlisting strategies for patients with ACLF-3 influence their access to LT and, ultimately, their survival.

Liver transplantation for NAFLD cirrhosis: Age and recent coronary angioplasty are major determinants of survival.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Liver transplantation (LT) is the treatment of end-stage non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD), that is decompensated cirrhosis and/or complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Few data on long-term outcome are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate overall patient and graft survivals and associated predictive factors. METHOD: This retrospective multicentre study included adult transplant patients for NAFLD cirrhosis between 2000 and 2019 in participating French-speaking centres. RESULTS: A total of 361 patients (69.8% of male) were included in 20 centres. The median age at LT was 62.3 years [57.4-65.9] and the median MELD score was 13.9 [9.1-21.3]; 51.8% of patients had HCC on liver explant. Between 2004 and 2018, the number of LT for NAFLD cirrhosis increased by 720%. A quarter of the patients had cardiovascular history before LT. Median follow-up after LT was 39.1 months [15.8-72.3]. Patient survival at 1, 5 and 10 years after LT was 89.3%, 79.8% and 68.1% respectively. The main causes of death were sepsis (37.5%), malignancies (29.2%) and cardiovascular events (22.2%). In multivariate analysis, three risk factors for overall mortality after LT were recipient pre-LT BMI < 32 kg/m2 at LT time (OR: 2.272; p = .012), pre-LT angioplasty during CV check-up (OR: 2.916; p = .016), a combined donor and recipient age over 135 years (OR: 2.020; 95%CI: p = .035). CONCLUSION: Survival after LT for NAFLD cirrhosis is good at 5 years. Donor and recipient age, and cardiovascular history, are major prognostic factors to consider.

Pre-operative CT scan helps predict outcome after liver transplantation for acute-on-chronic grade 3 liver failure.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic value of pre-operative imaging to predict post-transplantation survival in critically ill cirrhotic patients with severe acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). METHODS: Patients with grade 3 ACLF who underwent liver transplantation between January 2010 and January 2020 and with available contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) performed less than 3 months before LT were retrospectively included (n = 82). Primary endpoint was 1-year mortality. Imaging parameters (sarcopenia, liver morphology and volumetry, and signs of portal hypertension) were screened and tested to build a prognostic score. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, three independent CT-derived prognostic factors were found: splenomegaly (p = 0.021; HR = 5.6 (1.29-24.1)), liver atrophy (p = 0.05; HR = 2.93 (1.01-10.64)), and vena cava diameter ratio (p < 0.0001; HR = 12.7 (3.4-92)). A simple prognostic score was proposed, based on the presence of splenomegaly (5 points), liver atrophy (5 points), and vena cava diameter ratio < 0.2 (12 points). A cutoff at 10 points distinguished a high-risk group (score > 10) from a low-risk group (score ≤ 10) with 1-year survival of 27% vs. 67% respectively (p < 0.001). It was found to be an independent predictive factor in association with the Transplantation for ACLF3 Model (TAM) score. CONCLUSION: Pre-transplantation contrast-enhanced abdominal CT has a significant impact on selection of patients in ACLF3 in order to predict 1-year survival after LT. KEY POINTS: • Splenomegaly, liver atrophy, and vena cava diameter ratio are independent CT-derived prognostic factors after transplantation for severe acute-on-chronic liver failure. • A simple CT-based prognostic score is an independent predictive factor, complementary to clinical and biological parameters. • The use of the CT-derived score allows stratification based on 1-year mortality for patients with otherwise uncertain prognosis with clinical and biological parameters alone.

Immunosuppression in patients with grade 3 acute-on-chronic liver failure at transplantation: A practice analysis study.

Transplantation for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure grade 3 (ACLF3) has encouraging results with 1-year-survival of 80-90%. These patients with multiple organ failure meet the conditions for serious alterations of drug metabolism and increased toxicity. The goal of this study was to identify immunosuppression-dependent factors that affect survival. This retrospective monocentric study was conducted in patients with ACLF3 consecutively transplanted between 2007 and 2019. The primary endpoint was 1-year survival. Secondary endpoints were overall survival, treated rejection, and surgical complications. Immunosuppression was evaluated as to type of immunosuppression, post-transplant introduction timing, trough levels, and trough level intra-patient variability (IPV). One hundred patients were included. Tacrolimus IPV < 40% (P = .019), absence of early tacrolimus overdose (P = .033), use of anti-IL2-receptor antibodies (P = .034), and early mycophenolic acid introduction (P = .038) predicted 1-year survival. Treated rejection was an independent predictor of survival (P = .001; HR 4.2 (CI 95%: 1.13-15.6)). Early everolimus introduction was neither associated with higher rejection rates nor with more surgical complications. Management of immunosuppression in ACLF3 critically ill patients undergoing liver transplantation is challenging. Occurrence and treatment of rejection impacts on survival. Early introduction of mTOR inhibitor seems safe and efficient in this situation.

COVID-19 in liver transplant candidates: pretransplant and post-transplant outcomes - an ELITA/ELTR multicentre cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Explore the impact of COVID-19 on patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LT) and on their post-LT course. DESIGN: Data from consecutive adult LT candidates with COVID-19 were collected across Europe in a dedicated registry and were analysed. RESULTS: From 21 February to 20 November 2020, 136 adult cases with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 33 centres in 11 European countries were collected, with 113 having COVID-19. Thirty-seven (37/113, 32.7%) patients died after a median of 18 (10-30) days, with respiratory failure being the major cause (33/37, 89.2%). The 60-day mortality risk did not significantly change between first (35.3%, 95% CI 23.9% to 50.0%) and second (26.0%, 95% CI 16.2% to 40.2%) waves. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed Laboratory Model for End-stage Liver Disease (Lab-MELD) score of ≥15 (Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score 15-19, HR 5.46, 95% CI 1.81 to 16.50; MELD score≥20, HR 5.24, 95% CI 1.77 to 15.55) and dyspnoea on presentation (HR 3.89, 95% CI 2.02 to 7.51) being the two negative independent factors for mortality. Twenty-six patients underwent an LT after a median time of 78.5 (IQR 44-102) days, and 25 (96%) were alive after a median follow-up of 118 days (IQR 31-170). CONCLUSIONS: Increased mortality in LT candidates with COVID-19 (32.7%), reaching 45% in those with decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and Lab-MELD score of ≥15, was observed, with no significant difference between first and second waves of the pandemic. Respiratory failure was the major cause of death. The dismal prognosis of patients with DC supports the adoption of strict preventative measures and the urgent testing of vaccination efficacy in this population. Prior SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection did not affect early post-transplant survival (96%).

Liver transplantation for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in Europe: Results of the ELITA/EF-CLIF collaborative study (ECLIS).

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Liver transplantation (LT) has been proposed as an effective salvage therapy even for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). This large collaborative study was designed to assess the current clinical practice and outcomes of patients with ACLF who are wait-listed for LT in Europe. METHODS: This was a retrospective study including 308 consecutive patients with ACLF, listed in 20 centres across 8 European countries, from January 2018 to June 2019. RESULTS: A total of 2,677 patients received a LT: 1,216 (45.4%) for decompensated cirrhosis. Of these, 234 (19.2%) had ACLF at LT: 58 (4.8%) had ACLF-1, 78 (6.4%) had ACLF-2, and 98 (8.1%) had ACLF-3. Wide variations were observed amongst countries: France and Germany had high rates of ACLF-2/3 (27-41%); Italy, Switzerland, Poland and the Netherlands had medium rates (9-15%); and the United Kingdom and Spain had low rates (3-5%) (p <0.0001). The 1-year probability of survival after LT for patients with ACLF was 81% (95% CI 74-87). Pre-LT arterial lactate levels >4 mmol/L (hazard ratio [HR] 3.14; 95% CI 1.37-7.19), recent infection from multidrug resistant organisms (HR 3.67; 95% CI 1.63-8.28), and renal replacement therapy (HR 2.74; 95% CI 1.37-5.51) were independent predictors of post-LT mortality. During the same period, 74 patients with ACLF died on the waiting list. In an intention-to-treat analysis, 1-year survival of patients with ACLF on the LT waiting list was 73% for ACLF-1 or -2 and 50% for ACLF-3. CONCLUSION: The results reveal wide variations in the listing of patients with ACLF in Europe despite favourable post-LT survival. Risk factors for mortality were identified, enabling a more precise prognostic assessment of patients with ACLF. LAY SUMMARY: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe clinical condition for which liver transplantation is an effective therapeutic option. This study has demonstrated that in Europe, referral and access to liver transplantation (LT) for patients with ACLF needs to be harmonised to avoid inequities. Post-LT survival for patients with ACLF was >80% after 1 year and some factors have been identified to help select patients with favourable outcomes.

Analysis of factors associated with discrepancies between predicted and observed liver weight in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Even using predictive formulas based on anthropometrics in about 30% of subjects, liver weight (LW) cannot be predicted with a ≤20% margin of error. We aimed to identify factors associated with discrepancies between predicted and observed LW. METHODS: In 500 consecutive liver grafts, we tested LW predictive performance using 17 formulas based on anthropometric characteristics. Hashimoto's formula (961.3 × BSA_D-404.8) was associated with the lowest mean absolute error and used to predict LW for the entire cohort. Clinical factors associated with a ≥20% margin of error were identified in a multivariable analysis after propensity score matching (PSM) of donors with similar anthropometric characteristics. RESULTS: The total LW was underestimated with a ≥20% margin of error in 53/500 (10.6%) donors and overestimated in 62/500 (12%) donors. After PSM analysis, ages ≥ 65, (OR = 3.21; CI95% = 1.63-6.31; P = .0007), age ≤ 30 years, (OR = 2.92; CI95% = 1.15-7.40; P = .02), and elevated gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels (OR = 0.98; CI95% = 0.97-0.99; P = .006), influenced the risk of LW overestimation. Age ≥ 65 years, (OR = 5.98; CI95% = 2.28-15.6; P = .0002), intensive care unit (ICU) stay with ventilation > 7 days, (OR = 0.32; CI95% = 0.12-0.85; P = .02) and waist circumference increase (OR = 1.02; CI95% = 1.00-1.04; P = .04) were factors associated with LW underestimation. CONCLUSIONS: Increased waist circumference, age, prolonged ICU stay with ventilation, elevated GGT were associated with an increase in the margin of error in LW prediction. These factors and anthropometric characteristics could help transplant surgeons during the donor-recipient matching process.

Temporary portal decompression during liver transplantation: a video review of the different techniques.

PURPOSE: Temporary portal decompression (TPD) during liver transplantation (LT) remains a divisive technical issue in the liver transplant community. In this video-based article, we show the technical details of the different techniques used for TPD during LT. METHODS: An early portal section, before liver mobilization, should be preferred in order to achieve hepatectomy of a totally devascularized liver. Portal decompression can be achieved through direct right portocaval shunts and indirect portosystemic shunts (i.e., mesentericosaphenous and portosaphenous shunts). RESULTS: The preference for direct portocaval or indirect portosystemic shunts is tailored on patients and anatomical characteristics. Each of these three techniques presents specific indications, limitations, and advantages. CONCLUSION: TPD during LT can be achieved through different techniques that aim to facilitate the recipient hepatectomy, reduce the blood loss, and maintain hemodynamic stability.

Liver transplantation for critically ill cirrhotic patients: Stratifying utility based on pretransplant factors.

The aim of this study was to produce a prognostic model to help predict posttransplant survival in patients transplanted with grade-3 acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF-3). Patients with ACLF-3 who underwent liver transplantation (LT) between 2007 and 2017 in 5 transplant centers were included (n = 152). Predictors of 1-year mortality were retrospectively screened and tested on a single center training cohort and subsequently tested on an independent multicenter cohort composed of the 4 other centers. Four independent pretransplant risk factors were associated with 1-year mortality after transplantation in the training cohort: age ≥53 years (P = .044), pre-LT arterial lactate level ≥4 mml/L (P = .013), mechanical ventilation with PaO2 /FiO2  ≤ 200 mm Hg (P = .026), and pre-LT leukocyte count ≤10 G/L (P = .004). A simplified version of the model was derived by assigning 1 point to each risk factor: the transplantation for Aclf-3 model (TAM) score. A cut-off at 2 points distinguished a high-risk group (score >2) from a low-risk group (score ≤2) with 1-year survival of 8.3% vs 83.9% respectively (P < .001). This model was subsequently validated in the independent multicenter cohort. The TAM score can help stratify posttransplant survival and identify an optimal transplantation window for patients with ACLF-3.

Pancreatectomy With Arterial Resection for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: How Can It Be Done Safely and With Which Outcomes?: A Single Institution's Experience With 118 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the safety and outcomes of the largest cohort of pancreatectomy with arterial resection (P-AR). BACKGROUND: A high postoperative mortality rate and uncertain oncologic benefits have limited the use of P-AR for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent P-AR between January 1990 and November 2017. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to assess prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS: There were 118 consecutive resections (51 pancreaticoduodenectomies, 18 total pancreatectomies, and 49 distal splenopancreatectomies). Resected arterial segments included the coeliac trunk (50), hepatic artery (29), superior mesenteric artery (35), and other segments (4). The overall mortality and morbidity were 5.1% and 41.5%, respectively. There were 84 (75.4%) patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 105 (89%) simultaneous venous resections, and 101 (85.5%) arterial reconstructions. The rates of R0 resection and pathologic invasion of venous and arterial walls were 52.4%, 74.2%, and 58%, respectively. The overall survival was 59%, 13%, and 11.8% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The median overall survival after resection was 13.70 months (CI 95%:11-18.5 mo). In multivariate analysis, R0 resection (HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.38-0.96; P = 0.01) and venous invasion (HR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.01-2.63; P = 0.04) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: In a specialized setting, P-AR for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma can be performed safely with limited mortality and morbidity. Negative resection margin and the absence of associated venous invasion might predict favorable long-term outcomes.

Organ allocation in the age of the algorithm: avoiding futile transplantation - utility in allocation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review describes and questions the evolution of allocation systems from local team decisions in the 20th century to patient-oriented allocation using complex algorithm predicting transplant benefit. RECENT FINDINGS: The opening years of the 2000s have seen the implementation of prioritization scores aiming at increasing transparency and reducing waitlist mortality. The 2010s have underlined the necessity of drawing the upper limits of how sick a patient can be while still ensuring acceptable survival. More complex algorithms evaluating transplant benefit have been implemented in allocation systems to take this issue into account. SUMMARY: Allocation algorithms are becoming more and more complex, integrating numerous parameters from both donor and recipient to achieve optimal matching. The limitations of implementing these complex algorithms are represented by the evermoving waiting list demography, geographic disparities between recipients and donors, team policy adaptation to rule changes, and implicit biases within the transplant community. Survival as the only metric by which to define benefit may be seen as restrictive; quality of life may be a fruitful measure for better defining benefit in organ transplantation in the future.

Major hepatectomy decreased tumor growth in an experimental model of bilobar liver metastasis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Two-stage hepatectomy (TSH), is associated with a risk of drop-out due to tumoral progression following portal vein occlusion (PVO). We explored the impact of majorhepatectomy on tumor growth by objective radiological measures comparing to PVO and minor hepatectomy, using a model of bilobar colorectal liver metastasis (CLM). METHODS: CLM were induced in 48 BDIX rats by injection of DHDK12-cells. 7 days after cells injection, animals were distributed into 4 groups of equal number (n = 12): portal vein ligation (PVL), sham laparotomy (sham), minor (30%Phx) and major (70%Phx) hepatectomy. MR imaging was used for in vivo analysis of tumor implantation, growth and volumes. RESULTS: At POD10, tumour volumes were homogeneously distributed among the 4 groups. Lower TV were significantly observed after 70%Phx comparing to PVL at POD17 (0.63 ± 0.14cm3 vs 0.9 ± 0.16cm3, p = 0.008) and to the 3 others groups at POD24: 1.78 ± 0.38cm3 vs 3.2 ± 0.62cm3 (PVL, p = 0.019), 2.41 ± 0.74cm3 (Sham, p = 0.024) and 2.32 ± 0.59cm3 (30%PHx, p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: We confirmed in a reproducible model that contrary to PVO, a major hepatectomy decreases the growth of CLM in the remnant liver. This result leads to questioning the usual TSH and justifies exploring alternative strategies. The "major hepatectomy first-approach" should be an option to be evaluated.

What are the Particularities of Splenic Surgery in Cirrhotic Patients?

The aim of this work was to review the entire literature on splenic surgery in cirrhotic patients in order to best define the surgical indications and their management specifics. A review of the international literature published between January 1995 and August 2015 was thus carried out.