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Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of portal hypertension, which could be applied in the evaluation of liver cirrhosis. Combined use of HVPG with model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scoring system may more accurately match the donors and recipients undergoing liver transplantation for liver cirrhosis, select the appropriate timing of surgery, and provide guidance for bridging treatment for patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation. Besides, HVPG may also predict clinical prognosis of liver transplant recipients, and provide evidence for early detection and intervention of potential complications. Therefore, the value of HVPG in preoperative evaluation and prognosis prediction of liver transplant recipients was reviewed, aiming to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment of liver transplant recipients before and after surgery.
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Objective To evaluate the predictive values of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and easy albumin-bilirubin (EZ-ALBI) scores for early survival (postoperative 3 months) of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 137 recipients diagnosed with liver failure and underwent liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cut-off values of preoperative ALBI, EZ-ALBI and MELD scores to predict early survival of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation were determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The risk factors of early death of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The effects of different ALBI and EZ-ALBI levels upon early prognosis of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation were analyzed. Results The optimal cut-off values of ALBI, EZ-ALBI and MELD scores were 0.21, -19.83 and 24.36, and the AUC was 0.706, 0.697 and 0.686, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that preoperative alanine aminotransferase(ALT)≥50 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase(AST)≥60 U/L, ALBI score≥0.21 and EZ-ALBI score≥-19.83 were the risk factors for early postoperative death of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative ALBI score≥0.21 was an independent risk factor for early postoperative death of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation (P < 0.05). According to the optimal cut-off value of ALBI score, the early survival rates in the ALBI < 0.21 (n=46) and ALBI≥0.21(n=91) groups were 93.5% and 64.8%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). According to the optimal cut-off value of EZ-ALBI score, the early survival rates in the EZ-ALBI < -19.83(n=60) and EZ-ALBI≥-19.83(n=77) groups were 88.3% and 63.6%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions Preoperative ALBI score is of high predictive value for early survival of recipients with liver failure after liver transplantation, which could be utilized as a reference parameter for selecting liver transplant recipients.
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Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a type of necrotizing and inflammatory liver disease caused by certain commonly-used drugs, Chinese herbal medicines or dietary supplements. In severe cases, it may lead to acute liver failure. Without liver transplantation, the fatality could reach up to 80%. It is of significance to master the indications of liver transplantation. Several prognostic scoring systems have been developed to help clinicians to decide which patients need urgent liver transplantation, such as King's College criteria (KCC) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scoring systems. However, these scoring methods have been developed for a long period of time and lack of modifications. Therefore, scholars have proposed several new scoring systems, such as acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scoring systems, which provide novel ideas for the evaluation of liver transplantation. As an important treatment measure for drug-induced acute liver failure, urgent liver transplantation has greatly improved the survival rate of patients. In this article, the classification, clinical diagnosis, liver transplantation evaluation and prognosis of DILI were summarized, aiming to provide reference for the treatment of DILI by liver transplantation.
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Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a specific category of liver failure, which is mainly characterized by rapid progression and multiple organ failure. At present, patients with ACLF are mainly given with systematic and comprehensive medical therapy to promote liver regeneration. However, liver transplantation is the only potentially curative treatment for patients who failed to respond to medical treatment and rapidly progress into multiple organ failure. Considering the differences of disease progression and clinical prognosis, and the shortage of donor liver in China, it is necessary to actively prevent the triggering factors of ACLF in patients with chronic liver diseases, screen out the recipients who are most likely to benefit from liver transplantation and deliver precision management during perioperative period of liver transplantation. In this article, the application of liver transplantation in ACLF was illustrated from the perspectives of accurate evaluation of ACLF, proper control of liver transplantation indications and meticulous perioperative management, aiming to optimize the therapeutic strategy of liver transplantation in patients with ACLF.
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Objective To explore the predictive values of the initial model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, MELD combined with serum sodium (MELD-Na) score and MELD combined with serum lactic acid (MELD-Lac) score for early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure. Methods Clinical data of 135 recipients undergoing liver transplantation for liver failure were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into the early survival group (n=110) and early death group (n=25) according to the survival at postoperative 28 d. Clinical data were compared between two groups. The optimal cut-off values of MELD, MELD-Na and MELD-Lac scores for predicting early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure were determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The predictive values of different scores for early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure were evaluated. Results Significant differences were observed in the initial MELD, MELD-Na and MELD-Lac scores after liver transplantation between two groups (all P < 0.05). For the initial MELD, MELD-Na and MELD-Lac scores in predicting early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure, the AUC were 0.653 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.515-0.792], 0.648 (95%CI 0.514-0.781) and 0.809 (95%CI 0.718-0.900), the optimal cut-off values were 18.09, 18.09 and 19.97, Youden's indexes were 0.398, 0.380 and 0.525, the sensitivity was 0.680, 0.680 and 0.840, and the specificity was 0.720, 0.700 and 0.690, respectively. The AUC of MELD-Lac score was higher than those of MELD and MELD-Na scores, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). Conclusions Compared with the initial MELD and MELD-Na scores after liver transplantation, the initial MELD-Lac score is a more reliable index for predicting early survival rate after liver transplantation in patients with liver failure.
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Objective To compare the difference of clinical efficacy between surgical magnifying glass and surgical microscope assisted hepatic artery reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods Clinical data of 272 donors and recipients undergoing LDLT were retrospectively analyzed. According to different patterns of hepatic artery reconstruction, all recipients were divided into the magnifying glass group (n=189) and microscope group (n=83). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hepatic artery reconstruction site, diameter of anastomosis, incidence of postoperative complications and survival rate of recipients were statistically compared between two groups. Results Compared with the microscope group, the operation time, hepatic artery reconstruction time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly less in the magnifying glass group (all P < 0.001). The most common site of hepatic artery reconstruction was the right hepatic artery in two groups, and the diameter of anastomosis was (2.1±0.9) mm in the magnifying glass group and (2.1±0.8) mm in the microscope group, with no statistical significance between two groups (P > 0.05). The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates of recipients in the magnifying glass group were 88%, 86% and 85%, which did not significantly differ from 89%, 87% and 86% in the microscope group (all P > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications did not significantly differ between two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions The efficacy and safety of hepatic artery reconstruction in LDLT under surgical magnifying glass are equivalent to those under surgical microscope, with less operation workload and intraoperative blood loss. For experienced transplantation surgeons, it is recommended to perform hepatic artery reconstruction assisted by surgical magnifying glass.
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Objective To analyze the risk factors and predictors related to postoperative delirium(POD) in liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 232 liver transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed. Recipients were assigned to POD group (n=60) and non-POD (n=172) group according to the presence of POD. The intra- and post-operative conditions were compared between the two groups of liver transplant recipients. The risk factors for occurrence of POD in liver transplant recipients were analyzed using multifactorial analysis. And the value of predicting the occurrence of POD in liver transplant recipients according to the risk factors were assessed. Results The incidence of POD in liver transplant recipients was 25.9%. The operation time and anhepatic phase in the POD group were longer than those in the non-POD group. Intraoperative infusion of erythrocyte, infusion of cryoprecipitate, and lactic acid level were higher than those in the non-POD group (all P < 0.05). The levels of postoperative alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR), and plasma fibrinogen in the POD group were significantly higher than those in the non-POD group (all P < 0.05). Preoperative hepatic encephalopathy, elevated blood ammonia, high score of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), elevated postoperative AST level and long intraoperative anhepatic phase were the independent risk factors for POD in liver transplant recipients (all P < 0.05). Preoperative elevated blood ammonia and high MELD score showed profound value in predicting the occurrence of POD in liver transplant recipients, with best cut-off values of 42.6 μmol/L and 18 points, sensitivity of 0.650 and 0.767 as well as specificity of 0.826 and 0.727, respectively. Conclusions The incidence of POD is high in liver transplant recipients. Preoperative hepatic encephalopathy, elevated blood ammonia, high MELD score, elevated postoperative AST level, and long intraoperative anhepatic phase are independent risk factors for liver transplant POD. Preoperative elevated blood ammonia and high MELD score are predictors of POD in transplant recipients.
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Liver transplantation, although recognized as the only effective radical treatment for severe liver disease, might be accompanied by high surgical risks, high perioperative mortality and high postoperative complications. Considering the shortage of donor liver and related surgical risks, it is necessary to strictly control the indication of operation and the opportunity of transplantation. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and comprehensive evaluation of the condition of patients with severe liver disease to be treated by liver transplantation is an important part in determining the treatment plan. At present, there are many evaluation criteria for severe liver disease. In addition to the classic ChildTurcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, many other evaluation criteria have also been developed. All transplant centers have their own choices and thus there is no uniform diagnostic criterion, with disputes among various criteria, which is exactly what this paper aims to summarize.
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Objective To explore the early prognosis and the risk factors of delayed graft function (DGF) of the recipients undergoing liver transplantation from donor liver with moderate-to-severe steatosis. Methods Clinical data of 475 donors and 475 recipients undergoing liver transplantation from donor liver of organ donation after citizen's death were retrospectively analyzed. According to the classification criteria of steatosis proposed by Australia National Liver Transplantation Unit (ANLTU), all recipients were divided into the S0 group (no steatosis, n=308), S1 group (mild steatosis, n=97), S2 group (moderate steatosis, n=52) and S3 group (severe steatosis, n=18), respectively. The early postoperative death and incidence of postoperative complications were statistically compared among each group. The risk factors from donors, recipients and operation leading to DGF were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results The incidence of postoperative DGF in the S2 and S3 groups was significantly higher than that in the S1 and S0 groups (all P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative DGF in the S3 group was remarkably higher than that in the S2 group (P < 0.05). The early postoperative fatality, the incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF) of the transplant liver, postoperative bleeding, infection, biliary complications and vascular complications did not significantly differ among each group (all P > 0.05). Univariate regression analysis showed that severe steatosis of donor liver, long cold ischemia time, high model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and tumors of the recipients before operation were the risk factors of DGF (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that moderate-to-severe steatosis of donor liver, cold ischemia time > 8 h and MELD score > 30 of the recipients were the independent risk factors for early postoperative DGF. Conclusions The early-stage incidence of DGF after adult liver transplantation from donor liver with moderate-to-severe steatosis is high, whereas it does not affect the early survival rate of the recipients. The selection of donor liver with moderate-to-severe steatosis should be considered in combination with cold ischemia time of the donors and MELD score of the recipients before operation, etc.
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Objective To evaluate the value of T1 mapping in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for the assessment of liver function with HBV-related cirrhosis according to the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score.Methods 158 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis were included in this prospective study,and divided into MELD score ≤10 (n =103) group and MELD score ＞ 10 (n =55) group.All patients un derwent non-enhanced and Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI of liver,and T1 mapping was performed using Look-Locker sequences with the same scan parameters and geometry position (the level of porta hepatis) preand post-contrast at 5,10,15 and 20 minutes after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration.T1 relaxation times of the liver were measured and reduction rates of T1 relaxation times (△T1) were calculated.Independent samples t test was performed to compare T1 relaxation times and △T1 between MELD score≤ 10 and MELD score ＞ 10 groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were done to differentiate the diagnostic performance of T1 relaxation times and △T1 between MELD score ≤ 10 and MELD score ＞ 10 groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyse the correction between T1 relaxation times,△T1 and MELD scores.Results T1 relaxation times pre-and post-contrast at 5,10,15 and 20 minutes and △T1 post-contrast at 5,10,15 and 20 minutes of MELD score≤10 group were (889.3 ±91.2) ms,(377.5 ± 55.0) ms,(350.8±61.2)ms,(328.0±69.4)ms,(302.7±73.7)ms,(57.4±5.6)％,(60.4± 6.5) ％,(63.0 ± 7.3) ％ and (65.9 ± 7.8) ％,respectively,and those of MELD score ＞ 10 group were (936.6 ±95.4) ms,(460.2 ±68.5) ms,(457.5 ±94.5) ms,(453.4 ± 116.4) ms,(444.6 ± 134.6) ms,(50.8 ± 5.7) ％,(51.3 ± 7.9) ％,(51.8 ± 10.3) ％ and (52.8 ± 12.2) ％,respectively,and T1 relaxation times and △T1 at all time points were significantly different (P ＜ 0.05) between the two groups.The areas under ROC curve of T1 relaxation time pre-and post-contrast at 5,10,15,20 minutes and △T1 post-contrast at 5,10,15,20 minutes for differentiating MELD score ≤ 10 and MELD score ＞ 10 groups were 0.638,0.824,0.832,0.832,0.830 and 0.795,0.814,0.820,0.825,respectively.The correlation coefficients between T1 relaxation time pre-and post-contrast at 5,10,15,20 minutes,△T1 post-contrast at 5,10,15,20 minutes and MELD scores were 0.256,0.499,0.540,0.538,0.548,-0.412,-0.495,-0.507 and-0.527,respectively.Conclusions T1 mapping on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI is helpful for evaluating liver function with HBV-related cirrhosis.T1 relaxation times post-contrast on different time points were equally accurate as △T1.T1 relaxation times post-contrast and △T1 were superior to T1 relaxation times pre-contrast.
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Objective To evaluate the value of preoperative model for end-stage liver disease combined with serum sodium (MELD-Na) score for the prediction of the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) early after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 315 recipients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation by retrograde inferior vena caval perfusion were retrospectively analyzed. According to preoperative MELD-Na score, all patients were divided into group A (MELD-Na score≤10, n=115), group B (10<MELD-Na score≤20, n=118) and group C (MELD-Na score>20, n=82). Preoperative and intraoperative parameters of the recipients were statistically compared among three groups. Preoperative parameters included serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (Alb), total bilirubin (TB), prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and serum Na+,etc. Intraoperative parameters included operation time, vena caval occlusion time, hemorrhage volume, quantity of red blood cell infusion, quantity of plasma transfusion and total fluid infusion volume, etc. The incidence and staging of AKI early after liver transplantation in the recipients were statistically compared among three groups. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between preoperative MELD-Na score and AKI staging. Results Preoperative BUN, Alb, TB, PT-INR, MAP and Na+ in the recipients significantly differed among three groups (all P<0.05). Intraoperative vena caval occlusion time, hemorrhage volume, quantity of red blood cell infusion and quantity of plasma transfusion significantly differed among three groups (all P<0.05). In 315 recipients undergoing liver transplantation, the incidence of AKI within postoperative 1 week was 64.8% (204/315), and 43% (49/115), 71% (84/118) and 87% (71/82) in group A, B and C. Statistical significance was identified among three groups (all P<0.05). Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that preoperative MELD-Na score was positively correlated with AKI staging (r=0.442, P=0.000). Conclusions MELD-Na score not only acts as a parameter evaluating preoperative patients' conditions, but also serves as a pivotal parameter predicting postoperative incidence of AKI.
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Background: Cirrhosis is a common hepatological disorder seen in clinical practice. Liver plays an essential role in lipid metabolism, several stages of lipid synthesis and transportation. It is reasonable to expect an abnormal lipid profile in those with severe liver dysfunction Aim: To assess the lipid profile abnormalities in patients with cirrhosis of liver correlate with the severity of cirrhosis and whether lipid profile can be used to predict severe cirrhosis of liver. Materials and methods: This is a cross sectional study performed for a period of 2 years. Age and sex matched controls were selected from the patients attending Out Patient Department of Gastroenterology. 150 patients with cirrhosis of liver were included in the study. Diagnosis of cirrhosis of liver was based on characteristic findings. Results: Mean serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and serum triglycerides were significantly (p <0.05) lower in patients with cirrhosis of liver when compared to healthy controls. Serum lipids progressively decreased with increasing severity of cirrhosis as assessed by Child criteria and MELD score. There was no statistically significant difference in serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides among alcoholic and non alcoholic cirrhotic patients with similar severity of cirrhosis. Among the various parameters of lipid profile, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol had the highest areas under the roc curve; hence may be considered as the best predictors of Child C cirrhosis and MELD > 24 respectively. Conclusion: Among the various parameters of lipid profile, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol have the highest areas under the roc curve; hence may be considered as the best predictors of Child C cirrhosis and MELD > 24 respectively
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Objective To evaluate the predictive effect of preoperative CTP score,MELD score and MELD-Na score on short-term prognosis (≤ 3 months) after liver transplantation,to analyze factors which correlated with survival,and to seek indicators that accurately predicted short-term outcomes.Methods The clinical data of 73 consecutive patients with end-stage liver diseases who underwent liver transplantation in a single center were retrospectively analyzed.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to determine the predictive power.Correlated factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.The statistical processing package used was SAS 9.1.3 software.Results 11 (15.1％) of 73 patients died within 3 months after liver transplantation.The areas under the ROC curve of the preoperative CTP score,MELD score and MELD-Na score for predicting short-term survival were 0.817,0.839 and 0.860 respectively.There was no significant difference among these 3 scoring systems.On univariate analysis,indicators significantly correlated with early mortality were preoperative serum sodium,serum urea,PT-INR,CTP score,MELD score and MELD-Na score.On logistic multiple regression,only MELD-Na score remained as a significant indicator (P =0.001,β =-2.496,OR =0.085,95％ CI:0.019 ～ 0.370).Conclusions The MELD-Na scoring system showed superior predictability of early mortality in patients who underwent liver transplantation.The preoperative MELD-Na score was an independent risk factor of short-term survival.The higher the MELD-Na score,the higher was the early mortality.
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Objective To prospectively study the clinical significance of the MELD scoring system in surgical treatment of obstructive jaundice.Methods 112 patients with obstructive jaundice who were admitted into our hospital from January 2009 to December 2013 were divided into two groups:group A (Stage Ⅰ PTCD and stage Ⅱ open operation,n =53) and group B (1 stage open surgery,n =59).The amount of intraoperative bleeding blood loss,operation time,postoperative complications,duration of hospitalization,mortality rate,and the changes in liver function after surgery were compared between the two groups.Results The differences in the liver function index of the two groups on the same postoperative date were significantly different (P ＜ 0.05).The liver function of group A recovered faster than group B.Patients in group A with a MELD ＜ 10 points stayed in hospital significantly longer when compared with patients in group B.For patients in group A with MELD ＞ 10 points,the operation time,bleeding volume,postoperative complications and hospitalization were significantly less than the patients in group B (P ＜ 0.05).There were 3 patients (group B) who died with MELD ≥ 20 points after operation.Conclusions In patients with obstructive jaundice with a MELD score greater than 10 points,especially those with a score equal to or greater than 20,PTCD should be performed first to relieve biliary tract obstruction,followed by a stage Ⅱ open surgical operation after the liver function had improved.MELD had important clinical significance in the evaluation of operation risk in patients with obstructive jaundice.
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BACKGROUND: Patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis usually resulted in admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) during hospitalization. When admitted to the ICU, the mortality was high. The aim of this study is to identify multiple prognostic factors for mortality and to analyze the significance of prognostic survival model with each scoring system in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who was admitted to the ICU. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2008, 60 consecutive patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were admitted in the ICU and retrospectively reviewed. Prognostic models used were Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP), model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), model for end-stage liver disease with incorporation of serum sodium (MELD-Na), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA). The predictive prognosis was analyzed using the area under the receiver's operating characteristics curve (AUC). RESULTS: The median follow up period was 20 months, and ICU mortality was 17% (n = 10). A total of 24 patients (40%) died during the study period. The average survival of five prognostic models was related with the severity of the disease. All of the five systems showed significant differences in the cumulative survival rate, according to the scores on admission, and the MELD-Na had the highest AUC (0.924). Multivariate analysis showed that bilirubin and albumin were significantly related to mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The CPT, MELD, MELD-Na, APACHE II, and SOFA may predict the prognosis of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. The MELD-Na could be a better prognostic predictor than other scoring systems.