Current status of etiology and outcomes of acute liver failure in India-A multicentre study from tertiary centres.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a medical emergency and liver transplantation (LT) may be required as definitive therapy. The etiology varies across geographical locations and is mostly viral dominant in India. We aimed at evaluating the spectrum, impact of interventions (plasma exchange [PLEx], continuous renal replacement therapy [CRRT]) and outcomes of ALF in India in recent times. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective study across four major tertiary care centres. RESULTS: As many as 183 ALF patients (median age, 23 years; females, 43.1%; model for end-stage liver disease [MELD], 32.7) from January 2021 to December 2023 were included. Nineteen per cent had infection and 40.4% of patients satisfied King's College criteria (KCC) at admission. Most common cause for ALF was hepatitis A virus (HAV) (44.2%) followed by rodenticide poisoning (10.3%). Approximately 35% of patients each received either PLEx or CRRT. The 7, 14 and 21-day transplant-free survival probability was 65.5%, 60.1%, and 57.3%, respectively. Only 3.8% of patients underwent liver transplantation. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, hemoglobin (HR, 0.74 [0.63-0.87]), lactate (HR, 1.14 [1.03-1.26]), advanced hepatic encephalopathy (HE) (HR, 4.87 [1.89-12.5]) and fulfilling KCC [HR, 10.04 [4.57-22.06]) at admission were the independent predictors of mortality. A model including KCC + lactate + HE ≥ 3 with or without hemoglobin had an AUROC of 0.81-0.84 to predict mortality. In those who underwent PLEx, advanced HE (HR, 4.13 [1.75-9.7]), procalcitonin (HR, 1.18 [1.07-1.30]) and KCC (HR, 4.6 [1.6-13.1), while for those who received CRRT, lactate (HR, 1.37 [1.22-1.54]) and KCC (HR, 6.4 [2.5-15.8]) independently predicted mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis A virus is currently the most common cause for ALF in India, emphasizing the need for universal vaccination programmes. Spontaneous survival in tertiary care centres is 57%. LT rates were low.

Antibiotics With or Without Rifaximin for Acute Hepatic Encephalopathy in Critically Ill Patients With Cirrhosis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled (ARiE) Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Critically ill patients with cirrhosis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are usually on broad-spectrum antibiotics because of suspected infection or as a hospital protocol. It is unclear if additional rifaximin has any synergistic effect with broad-spectrum antibiotics in ICU patients with acute overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE). METHODS: In this double-blind trial, patients with overt HE admitted to ICU were randomized to receive antibiotics (ab) alone or antibiotics with rifaximin (ab + r). Resolution (or 2 grade reduction) of HE, time to resolution of HE, in-hospital mortality, nosocomial infection, and changes in endotoxin levels were compared between the 2 groups. A subgroup analysis of patients with decompensated cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure was performed. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and severity scores were similar among both groups (92 in each group). Carbapenems and cephalosporin with beta-lactamase inhibitors were the most commonly used ab. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, 44.6% (41/92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 32-70.5) in ab-only arm and 46.7% (43/92; 95% CI, 33.8-63) in ab + r arm achieved the primary objective ( P = 0.84).Time to achieve the primary objective (3.65 ± 1.82 days and 4.11 ± 2.01 days; P = 0.27) and in-hospital mortality were similar among both groups (62% vs 50%; P = 0.13). Seven percent and 13% in the ab and ab + r groups developed nosocomial infections ( P = 0.21). Endotoxin levels were unaffected by rifaximin. Rifaximin led to lower in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio: 0.39 [95% CI, 0.2-0.76]) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis but not in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (hazard ratio: 0.99 [95% CI, 0.6-1.63]) because of reduced nosocomial infections. DISCUSSION: Reversal of overt HE in those on ab was comparable with those on ab + r.

A rare presentation of vanishing bile duct syndrome in Hodgkin lymphoma: Case report.

In this report, we present the case of vanishing bile duct syndrome in the setting of classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Vanishing bile duct syndrome was diagnosed retrospectively in this patient with Hodgkin lymphoma, who initially presented with a hepatic abnormality presumed to be drug induced. Vanishing bile duct syndrome is characterized by the disappearance of bile ducts, with the progressive damage resulting in cholestasis. Thus, nivolumab therapy was initiated for Hodgkin lymphoma, in place of the standard ABVD (Doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) regimen, which resulted in autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Alternatively, GDP (gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and carboplatin) chemotherapy with protocol modification resulted in better tolerance and remission of Hodgkin lymphoma. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support and romiplostim supplement were provided to prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively. Due to the deranged liver function in our case, we initially suspected the etiology as drug-induced cholestatic injury. While hepatic failure is the leading cause of mortality among patients with Hodgkin lymphoma-related vanishing bile duct syndrome, our case report suggests a complete remission of vanishing bile duct syndrome following an adequate treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma and an improvement in the hepatic function. To conclude, our report describes the rare case of vanishing bile duct syndrome which heralded the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, and the effective management of Hodgkin lymphoma which precedes the improvement of hepatic abnormality.

Liver Transplantation: Protocol for Recipient Selection, Evaluation, and Assessment.

Liver transplantation (LT) is the definitive therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure, acute-on-chronic liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and metabolic liver diseases. The acceptance of LT in Asia has been gradually increasing and so is the expertise to perform LT. Preparing a patient with cirrhosis for LT is the most important aspect of a successful LT. The preparation for LT begins with the first index decompensation for a patient with cirrhosis. Patients planned for LT should undergo a thorough screening for infections, and a complete cardiac, pulmonology, and psychosocial evaluation pre-LT. In this review, we discuss the indications and contraindications of LT and the evaluation and assessment of patients with liver disease planned for LT.

Effectiveness and safety of atezolizumab-bevacizumab in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Atezolizumab-bevacizumab (atezo-bev) is recommended as first-line therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, its effectiveness and safety in other populations, including those with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class B cirrhosis, is unclear. Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, were searched from 1st May, 2020 till 5th October, 2022; the last date of access was January 31, 2023. Pooled progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and radiological response rate among patients receiving atezo-bev were compared between patients with CTP-A and CTP-B cirrhosis, with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and among those receiving the drug as first-line and later line therapy. The protocol was registered in Prospero (CRD42022364430). Findings: Among 47 studies (n = 5400 patients), pooled PFS and OS were 6.86 (95% CI, 6.31-7.41) and 13.8 months (95% CI, 11.81-15.8), respectively. Objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate were 26.7% (24.6-29.1) and 75.3% (73.1-77.4) using RECIST criteria, and 34% (30.3-37.8) and 73.6% (68.8-78) using mRECIST criteria, respectively. Among those receiving atezo-bev, patients with CTP-B cirrhosis had similar ORRs by RECIST (odds ratio [OR], 1.42 [0.77-2.6]; P = 0.25) and mRECIST criteria (OR, 1.33 [0.52-3.39]; P = 0.53) but shorter PFS (mean difference [MD]:3.83 months [1.81-5.84]) than those with CTP-A cirrhosis. Compared to patients receiving TKIs, those receiving atezo-bev had longer PFS (MD: 2.27 months [0.94-3.5]) and higher ORR (RECIST: OR, 1.44 [1.01-2.04] and mRECIST: OR, 1.33 [1.01-1.75]). Compared to first-line therapy, later-line therapy had lower ORR (RECIST: OR, 1.82 [1.3-2.53]; P < 0.001 and mRECIST: OR, 2.02 [1.34-3.05]) but comparable PFS (MD: 0.58 months [-0.18 to 1.35]) among nine studies. The incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events among patients with CTP-A and CTP-B cirrhosis was comparable (OR, 0.89 [0.45-1.74]) as it was for patients receiving atezo-bev and TKIs (OR, 0.86 [0.61-1.2]). Interpretation: Our findings suggest that atezo-bev is safe and effective as first-line systemic therapy for patients with uHCC and CTP-A or CTP-B cirrhosis. Funding: An unsolicited grant from ROCHE Products India Pvt Ltd. was received for publication.

Pathophysiology and management of liver cirrhosis: from portal hypertension to acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Cirrhosis transcends various progressive stages from compensation to decompensation driven by the severity of portal hypertension. The downstream effect of increasing portal hypertension severity leads to various pathophysiological pathways, which result in the cardinal complications of cirrhosis, including ascites, variceal hemorrhage, and hepatic encephalopathy. Additionally, the severity of portal hypertension is the central driver for further advanced complications of hyperdynamic circulation, hepatorenal syndrome, and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. The management of these individual complications has specific nuances which have undergone significant developments. In contrast to the classical natural history of cirrhosis and its complications which follows an insidious trajectory, acute-on-chronic failure (ACLF) leads to a rapidly downhill course with high short-term mortality unless intervened at the early stages. The management of ACLF involves specific interventions, which have quickly evolved in recent years. In this review, we focus on complications of portal hypertension and delve into an approach toward ACLF.

Healthcare utilization and outcomes of living donor liver transplantation for patients with APASL-defined acute-on-chronic liver failure.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) is associated with excellent survival in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). There is a lack of data assessing the healthcare utilization and outcomes of patients with APASL-defined ACLF undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Our aim was to assess pre-LT healthcare utilization and post-LT outcomes in such patients. METHODS: Patients with ACLF who underwent LDLT at our center between 1st April 2019 and 1st October 2021 were included. RESULTS: Seventy-three ACLF patients willing to undergo LDLT were listed; eighteen patients died within 30 days. Fifty-five patients underwent LDLT (age:38.05 ± 14.76 years; alcohol:52.7%; males:81.8%). Most were in grade II ACLF (87.3%) at the time of LDLT (APASL ACLF Research Consortium [AARC] score: 9.05 ± 1; MELD NA: 28.15 ± 4.13). Survival rate was 72.73%; mean follow-up period of 925.21 days; 58.2% (32/55) developed complications during the first year post-LT; 45% (25/55) and 12.7% (7/55) developed infections within and after 3 months. Pre-LT, each patient required a median of 2 (1-4) admissions for 17 (4-45) days. Fifty-six percent (31/55) of patients underwent plasma exchange pre-LDLT. A median amount of Rs. 8,25,090 (INR 26,000-43,58,154) was spent to stabilize the patient (who were sicker and waited longer to undergo LDLT); though post-LT survival benefit was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: LDLT was associated with 73% survival and, thus, is a viable option in those with APASL-defined ACLF. There was a pre-LT high healthcare resource utilization of plasma exchange, with the intention of optimization, while survival benefit has not been demonstrated.

Early living donor liver transplantation for alcohol-associated hepatitis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Lately, there has been a steady increase in early liver transplantation for alcohol-associated hepatitis (AAH). Although several studies have reported favorable outcomes with cadaveric early liver transplantation, the experiences with early living donor liver transplantation (eLDLT) are limited. The primary objective was to assess one-year survival in patients with AAH who underwent eLDLT. The secondary objectives were to describe the donor characteristics, assess the complications following eLDLT, and the rate of alcohol relapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study was conducted at AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, India, between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients underwent eLDLT. The mean time from abstinence to eLDLT was 92.4 ± 42.94 days. The mean model for end-stage liver disease and discriminant function score at eLDLT were 28.16 ± 2.89 and 104 ± 34.56, respectively. The mean graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 0.85 ± 0.12. Survival was 72% (95%CI, 50.61-88) after a median follow-up of 551 (23-932) days post-LT. Of the 18 women donors,11 were the wives of the recipient. Six of the nine infected recipients died: three of fungal sepsis, two of bacterial sepsis, and one of COVID-19. One patient developed hepatic artery thrombosis and died of early graft dysfunction. Twenty percent had alcohol relapse. CONCLUSIONS: eLDLT is a reasonable treatment option for patients with AAH, with a survival of 72% in our experience. Infections early on post-LT accounted for mortality, and thus a high index of suspicion of infections and vigorous surveillance, in a condition prone to infections, are needed to improve outcomes.

Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) Guidance Paper on Nomenclature, Diagnosis and Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease globally and in India. The already high burden of NAFLD in India is expected to further increase in the future in parallel with the ongoing epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Given the high prevalence of NAFLD in the community, it is crucial to identify those at risk of progressive liver disease to streamline referral and guide proper management. Existing guidelines on NAFLD by various international societies fail to capture the entire landscape of NAFLD in India and are often difficult to incorporate in clinical practice due to fundamental differences in sociocultural aspects and health infrastructure available in India. A lot of progress has been made in the field of NAFLD in the 7 years since the initial position paper by the Indian National Association for the Study of Liver on NAFLD in 2015. Further, the ongoing debate on the nomenclature of NAFLD is creating undue confusion among clinical practitioners. The ensuing comprehensive review provides consensus-based, guidance statements on the nomenclature, diagnosis, and treatment of NAFLD that are practically implementable in the Indian setting.

The challenges of ascites management: An Indian perspective.

Content available: Author Interview and Audio Recording.

Safety and efficacy of terlipressin in acute-on-chronic liver failure with hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI): a prospective cohort study.

Terlipressin with albumin, the recommended treatment for hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI), is associated with adverse events. Furthermore, the course of AKI in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is unknown. We aimed to analyze the safety and efficacy of terlipressin infusion and AKI course in patients with ACLF. We prospectively enrolled consecutive adult patients with ACLF with HRS-AKI (satisfying EASL criteria) treated with terlipressin infusion between 14 October 2019 and 24 July 2020. The objectives were to assess the incidence of adverse events, response to terlipressin, course of HRS-AKI and predictors of mortality. A total of 116 patients were included. Twenty-one percent of patients developed adverse effects. Only 1/3rd of patients who developed adverse events were alive at day 90. Sixty-five percent of the patients responded to terlipressin. Nearly 22% developed recurrence of HRS, and 5.2% progressed to HRS-chronic kidney disease. TFS was 70.4% at day 30 and 57.8% at day 90. On multivariate stepwise Cox regression analysis terlipressin non-response (hazard ratio [HR], 3.49 [1.85-6.57]; P < 0.001) and MELD NA score (HR,1.12 [1.06-1.18]; P < 0.001) predicted mortality at day-90. Patients with ACLF who develop terlipressin related adverse events have dismal prognoses. Terlipressin non-response predicts mortality in patients with ACLF and HRS-AKI.

Primary Norfloxacin Prophylaxis for APASL-Defined Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: A Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Randomized Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the role of prophylactic norfloxacin in preventing bacterial infections and its effect on transplant-free survival (TFS) in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) identified by the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver criteria. METHODS: Patients with ACLF included in the study were randomly assigned to receive oral norfloxacin 400 mg or matched placebo once daily for 30 days. The incidence of bacterial infections at days 30 and 90 was the primary outcome, whereas TFS at days 30 and 90 was the secondary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients were included (72 in the norfloxacin and 71 in the placebo groups). Baseline demographics, biochemical variables, and severity scores were similar between the 2 groups. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, the incidence of bacterial infections at day 30 was 18.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10-28.9) and 33.8% (95% CI, 23-46) (P = 0.03); and the incidence of bacterial infections at day 90 was 46% (95% CI, 34-58) and 62% (95% CI, 49.67-73.23) in the norfloxacin and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.02). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, TFS at day 30 was 77.8% (95% CI, 66.43-86.73) and 64.8% (95% CI, 52.54-75.75) in the norfloxacin and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.084). Similarly, TFS at day 90 was 58.3% (95% CI, 46.11-69.84) and 43.7% (95% CI, 31.91-55.95), respectively (P = 0.058). Thirty percent of infections were caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. More patients developed concomitant candiduria in the norfloxacin group (25%) than in the placebo group (2.63%). DISCUSSION: Primary norfloxacin prophylaxis effectively prevents bacterial infections in patients with ACLF.

Clinicopathological Profile and Outcome of a Large Cohort of Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease from South Asia: Interim Results of the Indian Consortium on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: Previous data from South Asia and India had shown that patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have mild liver disease severity. There are no data regarding long-term clinical outcomes in patients with NAFLD from South Asia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinicopathological profile, severity of NAFLD, and clinical outcomes in a large cohort of patients with NAFLD from South Asia. Methods: In an ongoing real-life study [Indian Consortium on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (ICON-D)], interim data captured across 23 centers in India over 18 months was analyzed for clinicopathological profile, severity of NAFLD, and hepatic/extrahepatic events on follow-up. Results: Of 4313 patients (mean age 45 ± 12.2 years, males 52%), data on metabolic risk factors in 3553 (82.3%) patients revealed that 378 (10.6%) were lean, 575 (16.2%) overweight, 2584 (72.7%) obese; metabolic syndrome in 1518 (42.7%) and at least one metabolic risk factor in 3292 (92.6%) patients. Evidence of significant or advanced fibrosis assessed with [aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), n = 3196 (74%)], [fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), n = 3554 (82.4%)], [NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), n = 1924 (44.6%)], [Fibroscan, n = 2475, (57.3%)], and histology [n = 267 (6.2%)] was present in 682 (21.3%), 676 (19%), 397 (20.6%), 715 (29%), and 41 (15.4%) patients, respectively; 246 (10%) patients on Fibroscan and 22 (8.2%) on histology had evidence of cirrhosis. On a mean follow-up 43.5 months, hepatic and extrahepatic events recorded in 1353 (31.3%) patients showed that patients with compensated cirrhosis [71 (5.2%)] had more hepatic [26 (36.7%)] and extrahepatic events [8 (11.3%)] in comparison with those without cirrhosis (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Around one fifth of patients with NAFLD in South Asia have significant liver disease. Both hepatic and extrahepatic events on follow-up are observed more commonly in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related compensated cirrhosis.

Impact of COVID-19 on liver transplant recipients-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppression and comorbidities increase the risk of severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The outcomes of COVID-19 in liver transplant (LT) recipients remain unclear. We aimed to analyse the outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in LT recipients. METHODS: The electronic databases were searched for articles published from 1 December 2019 to 20 May 2021 with MeSH terms COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and liver transplantation. Studies reporting outcomes in more than 10 LT recipients were included for analysis. LT vs non-LT patients with COVID-19 infection were compared for all-cause mortality, which was the primary outcome studied. We also evaluated the relation between the timing of COVID-19 infection post-LT (< one year vs > one year) and mortality. FINDINGS: Eighteen articles reporting 1,522 COVID-19 infected LT recipients were included for the systematic review. The mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 60·38 (5·24) years, and 68·5% were men. The mean time (SD) to COVID-19 infection was 5·72 (1·75) years. Based on 17 studies (I2 = 7·34) among 1,481 LT recipients, the cumulative incidence of mortality was 17·4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15·4-19·6). Mortality was comparable between LT (n = 610) and non-LT (n = 239,704) patients, based on four studies (odds ratio [OR], 0·8 [0·6-1·08]; P = 0·14). Additionally, there was no significant difference in mortality between those infected within one year vs after one year of LT (OR, 1·5 [0·63-3·56]; P = 0·35). The cumulative incidence of graft dysfunction was 2·3% (1·3-4·1). Nearly 23% (20·71-25) of the LT patients developed severe COVID-19 infection. Before infection, 71% and 49% of patients were on tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, respectively. Immunosuppression was modified in 55·9% (38·1-72·2) patients after COVID-19 infection. INTERPRETATION: LT and non-LT patients with COVID-19 have a similar risk of adverse outcomes.