Trends and Health Care Outcomes Among Living Liver Donors: Are We Ready to Expand the Donor Pool With Living Liver Donations?

We studied the trends and various outcomes, including the readmission rates, health care utilization, and complications among living liver donors (LLDs) in the United States. We queried the National Database for data from 2010 to 2017 for all LLDs. The primary outcomes were 30-day and 90-day readmission rates. The secondary outcomes included health care use (length of stay [LOS], cost of care), index admission, and calendar-year mortality. Logistic regression models were fit for various outcomes. A total of 1316 LLDs underwent hepatectomy during the study period. The median donor age was 35.0 years (interquartile range, 27.4-43.6), and donors were predominantly women (54.2%). The trend of LLD surgeries remained stable at large medical centers (85.3%). The 30-day and 90-day readmission rates were low at 5% and 5.9%, respectively. Older age (50 years and older; 8%; confidence interval [CI], 0.6%-15.9%; P = 0.03) and hepatectomy at small to medium-sized hospitals were associated with increased index LOS (13.4%; 95% CI, 3.1%-24.7%; P = 0.01). Moreover, older age of donor (-11.3%; 95% CI, -20.3% to -1.4%; P = 0.03), Elixhauser score ≥3 (17%; 95% CI, 1.2%-35.3%; P = 0.03), and Medicaid insurance (24.5%; 95% CI, 1.2%-53.1%; P = 0.04) were also associated with increased cost. The overall rate of any complications during index admission was 42.8%. Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.19-2.23) was an independent predictor of post-LLD complications. There was no index admission or calendar-year mortality reported during the study period. This is the largest national report of LLDs to date, showing that the trend of LLD surgeries is stable in the United States. With established safety, fewer complications, and less health care utilization, LLDs can be a potential source of continuation of liver transplantation in the context of changing liver allocation policies in the United States.

Graft quality matters: Survival after simultaneous liver-kidney transplant according to KDPI.

BACKGROUND: Poor renal function is associated with higher mortality after liver transplantation. Our aim was to understand the impact of kidney graft quality according to the kidney donor profile index (KDPI) score on survival after simultaneous liver-kidney (SLK) transplantation. METHODS: Using United Network of Organ Sharing data from 2002 to 2013 for adult deceased donor SLK recipients, we compared survival and renal graft outcomes according to KDPI. RESULTS: Of 4207 SLK transplants, 6% were from KDPI >85% donors. KDPI >85% recipients had significantly increased mortality (HR=1.83, 95%CI=1.44-2.31) after adjusting for recipient factors. Additionally, dialysis in the first week (HR=1.4, 95%CI=1.2-1.7) and death-censored kidney graft failure at 1 year (HR=5.7, 95%CI=4.6-7.0) were associated with increased mortality after adjusting for recipient factors and liver donor risk index score. CONCLUSIONS: KDPI >85% recipients had worse patient and graft survival after SLK. Poor renal allograft outcomes including dialysis in the first week and death-censored kidney graft failure at 1 year, which occurred more frequently with KDPI >85% grafts, were associated with significantly reduced patient survival. Questions remain about the survival impact of liver vs kidney graft quality given the close relationship between donor factors contributing to both, but KDPI can still be valuable as a metric readily available at the time of organ offers for SLK candidates.

Congenital Absence of the Portal Vein.

A 59-year-old woman presented with abdominal bloating, elevated alkaline phosphatase and transaminases, and computed tomography abdomen/pelvis demonstrating large right-sided hepatic masses. A percutaneous fine needle aspiration demonstrated hepatocellular neoplasm concerning for hepatocellular carcinoma. Preoperative imaging demonstrated possible porto-caval shunt. She underwent uneventful right hepatic lobectomy with confirmation of porto-systemic shunt. Congenital porto-systemic shunt, or Abernethy malformation, is rare and is associated with congenital cardiac and gastrointestinal abnormalities. Additionally, congenital porto-systemic shunt is associated with increased risk of hepatic neoplasms including hepatocellular carcinoma. Recommended surveillance for these patients is not well defined.

Safely Expanding the Liver Donor Pool by Utilization of Organs from Donation after Circulatory Death with Comparable Results to Donation After Brain Death, a Large Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Use of livers donated after circulatory death (DCD) is one way to expand the donor pool. Our center has aggressively incorporated use of DCD liver grafts into practice. We examined our center and national outcomes as well as national DCD liver utilization. METHODS: Liver transplants performed at our center and nationally from 11/2016 through 9/2020 were compared. Primary outcomes were patient and graft survival, and national DCD liver utilization. RESULTS: For our center, DCD and donation after brain death (DBD) donors were similar except DCD donors were younger (37 vs 40 years; p < 0.05). Recipient Na-MELD (20 vs 24; p < 0.0001) and cold ischemia time (4.63 vs 5.18 h; p < 0.05) were lower in DCD recipients. There were no significant differences in 1-year patient and graft survival between DCD and DBD liver recipients locally. Nationally, there was a difference in 1-year graft survival year (89.4% vs 92.4%, p < 0.0001) but patient survival was similar between groups. The proportion of DCD livers recovered and transplanted widely varied among organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and transplant centers. CONCLUSIONS: Similar outcomes for DCD and DBD liver recipients should encourage centers and OPOs nationwide to expand utilization of DCD livers.

Left Renal Vein Ligation for Spontaneous Splenorenal Shunts During Deceased-Donor Orthotopic Liver Transplant Is Safe and Can Mitigate Complications from Portal Steal: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVES: Large spontaneous splenorenal shunts can result in portal vein steal syndrome and is a risk factor for portal vein thrombosis after orthotopic liver transplant. Disconnection of these shunts by left renal vein ligation has been suggested as a potential technique for improving portal venous flow and mitigating risk of portal vein thrombus, thus improving graft perfusion. We present a series of 6 patients who underwent left renal vein ligation for spontaneous splenorenal shunts and their outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis included all orthotopic liver transplant recipients who underwent left renal vein ligation for spontaneous splenorenal shunts between 2016 and 2017. Portal venous flow, patency, and renal function were assessed postoperatively. Liver Doppler ultrasonography scans were obtained 1, 3, and 5 days postligation, and serum creatinine was evaluated at 1 and 2 weeks and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postligation. RESULTS: Over the 1-year study period, 92 orthotopic liver transplants were performed. In 6 patients who underwent left renal vein ligation, spontaneous splenorenal shunts were identified preoperatively. One patient received a retransplant complicated by portal vein thrombus and underwent thrombectomy with left renal vein ligation. Concurrent left renal vein ligation and liver transplant were performed in 5 patients, 2 with known portal vein thrombus at the time of transplant requiring thrombectomy. All patients had subjective intraoperative improvements in portal venous flow after ligation. Zero patients developed postoperative portal vein thrombus. No patients developed clinically significant renal dysfunction at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Left renal vein ligation is technically feasible, has minimal and transient effects on renal function, and can improve portal venous flow, thus mitigating the risk for portal vein thrombus, graft hypoperfusion, and possible dysfunction.

Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a High-Risk Population by a Mass Spectrometry-Based Test.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the fastest growing causes of cancer-related death. Guidelines recommend obtaining a screening ultrasound with or without alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) every 6 months in at-risk adults. AFP as a screening biomarker is plagued by low sensitivity/specificity, prompting interest in discovering alternatives. Mass spectrometry-based techniques are promising in their ability to identify potential biomarkers. This study aimed to use machine learning utilizing spectral data and AFP to create a model for early detection. Serum samples were collected from three separate cohorts, and data were compiled to make Development, Internal Validation, and Independent Validation sets. AFP levels were measured, and Deep MALDI® analysis was used to generate mass spectra. Spectral data were input into the VeriStrat® classification algorithm. Machine learning techniques then classified each sample as "Cancer" or "No Cancer". Sensitivity and specificity of the test were >80% to detect HCC. High specificity of the test was independent of cause and severity of underlying disease. When compared to AFP, there was improved cancer detection for all tumor sizes, especially small lesions. Overall, a machine learning algorithm incorporating mass spectral data and AFP values from serum samples offers a novel approach to diagnose HCC. Given the small sample size of the Independent Validation set, a further independent, prospective study is warranted.

Thirty-day readmission rates, trends and its impact on liver transplantation recipients: a national analysis.

Reduction of early hospital readmissions is a declared goal in the United States economic and quality improvement agenda. A retrospective study was performed using the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2014. Our primary aim was to study the rate of early readmissions and its predictors in liver transplant recipients (LTRs). Our secondary aims were to determine the trends of LT, reasons for readmission, costs and predictors of calendar year mortality. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized. The 30-day readmission rate was 30.6% among a total of 25,054 LTRs. Trends of LT were observed to be increased in patients > 65 years (11.7-17.8%, p < 0.001) and decreased in 40-64 years (78.0-73.5%, p = 0.001) during study period. The majority of 30-day readmissions were due to post transplant complications, with packed red blood cell transfusions being the most common intervention during readmission. Medicaid or Medicare insurance, surgery at low and medium volume centers, infections, hemodialysis, liver biopsy, and length of stay > 10 days were the predictors of 30-day readmission. Moreover, number of early readmission, age > 64 years, non-alcoholic cirrhosis, and length of stay > 10 days were significant predictor of calendar year mortality in LTRs. Approximately one third of patients require early admission after LT. Early readmission not only increases burden on healthcare, but is also associated with calendar year mortality. Strategies should be implemented to reduce readmission in patients with high risk of readmission identified in our study.

Combined liver-lung transplantation: Indications, outcomes, current experience and ethical Issues.

Combined liver-lung transplantation (CLLT) is a rare, life-saving procedure to treat concomitant lung and liver disease. There have been 93 combined lung and liver transplantations performed in the United States since 1994. Techniques include both lung first and liver first sequential transplants with selective extracorporeal circulation of either thoracic or abdominal portions, with either end-to-end or Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy for biliary reconstruction. This review evaluates the existing literature regarding combined lung and liver transplantation (CLLT), describing the candidates, operation, perioperative complications, associated management strategies, and recommendations for immunosuppressive therapy and follow up.

En bloc liver-kidney transplantation with renal artery variation using donor splenic artery and left gastric artery as inflow to the kidney: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: En bloc liver-kidney transplantation can be difficult with renal artery variations for which the risk of multiple anastomoses can outweigh the benefits. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This report is the first to describe an en bloc liver-kidney transplantation using a donor kidney with double renal arteries. The indication for a combined liver-kidney transplant was non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis with chronic kidney disease secondary to hypertension and diabetes compounded by hepato-renal syndrome. The explant pathology was consistent with steatohepatitis, but did have PAS/D-positive intracytoplastic globules which suggest an additional component of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. DISCUSSION: Diminished arterial inflow to the inferior renal pole was noted intraoperatively, requiring re-anastomosis of the inferior renal polar artery to the donor left gastric artery. The post-operative course was uncomplicated with patient discharge on post-operative day six. CONCLUSION: With increasing numbers of simultaneous liver-kidney transplants being performed, kidneys with multiple renal arteries can successfully be transplanted en-bloc without compromising ischemia time.

Total Pancreatectomy and Islet Autotransplantation Following Treated Hepatitis C Infection.

Hepatic parenchymal disease, including chronic viral hepatitis, has traditionally been considered a relative contraindication to islet transplantation as the islets are infused into the recipient's liver. We present a case study of a patient with treated chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV) who safely received an autologous islet transplant following total pancreatectomy with excellent clinical outcomes. The patient was a 60-year-old woman diagnosed with debilitating abdominal pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis and with preserved islet function. She had previously been treated >10 years prior to surgical evaluation with interferon monotherapy for 1 year that led to sustained virologic response, including at the time of surgical evaluation for total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). She underwent comprehensive preoperative evaluation of the liver, including liver biopsy, which showed no significant portal inflammation or fibrosis. Following a multidisciplinary meeting and discussion of the potential risks for the patient, the decision was made to proceed with TPIAT. The patient underwent a standard total pancreatectomy, and an autologous islet dose of 6638 islet equivalents/kg body weight was infused into the liver via the portal vein. Portal vein pressure was monitored throughout the infusion with a transient peak pressure of 27 cm H2O (basal pressure of 14 cm H2O) and final pressure of 23 cm H20 at 10 min post-infusion. Aside from a transient transaminitis, liver enzymes were normal at the time of hospital discharge. At greater than 1 year of follow-up, the patient has improved quality of life, with reduction in narcotic analgesia, remains insulin independent (with normal islet function), and has normal liver function. This case illustrates that islet autotransplant into the liver can be safely performed and suggests that carefully selected patients with liver disease may be eligible for TPIAT.

Method of Direct Segmental Intra-hepatic Delivery Using a Rat Liver Hilar Clamp Model.

Major hepatic surgery with inflow occlusion, and liver transplantation, necessitate a period of warm ischemia, and a period of reperfusion leading to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury with myriad negative consequences. Potential I/R injury in marginal organs destined for liver transplantation contributes to the current donor shortage secondary to a decreased organ utilization rate. A significant need exists to explore hepatic I/R injury in order to mediate its impact on graft function in transplantation. Rat liver hilar clamp models are used to investigate the impact of different molecules on hepatic I/R injury. Depending on the model, these molecules have been delivered using inhalation, epidural infusion, intraperitoneal injection, intravenous administration or injection into the peripheral superior mesenteric vein. A rat liver hilar clamp model has been developed for use in studying the impact of pharmacologic molecules in ameliorating I/R injury. The described model for rat liver hilar clamp includes direct cannulation of the portal supply to the ischemic hepatic segment via a side branch of the portal vein, allowing for direct segmental hepatic delivery. Our approach is to induce ischemia in the left lateral and median lobes for 60 min, during which time the substance under study is infused. In this case, pegylated-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD), a free radical scavenger, is infused directly into the ischemic segment. This series of experiments demonstrates that infusion of PEG-SOD is protective against hepatic I/R injury. Advantages of this approach include direct injection of the molecule into the ischemic segment with consequent decrease in volume of distribution and reduction in systemic side effects.