Bridging and downstaging with TACE in early and intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma: Predictors of receiving a liver transplant.

Background and Aims: In patients with surgically unresectable early and intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), only liver transplant (LT) offers a cure. Locoregional therapies, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), are widely used to bridge patients waiting for an LT or downstage tumors beyond Milan Criteria (MC). However, there are no formal guidelines on the number of TACE procedures patients should receive. Our study explores the extent to which repeated TACE might offer diminishing gains toward LT. Approach: We retrospectively analyzed 324 patients with BCLC stage A and B HCC who had received TACE with the intention of disease downstaging or bridging to LT. In addition to baseline demographics, we collected data on LT status, survival, and the number of TACE procedures. Overall survival (OS) rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and correlative studies were calculated using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Results: Out of 324 patients, 126 (39%) received an LT, 32 (25%) of whom had responded favorably to TACE. LT significantly improved OS: HR 0.174 (0.094-0.322, P < .001). However, the LT rate significantly decreased if patients received ≥3 vs < 3 TACE procedures (21.6% vs 48.6%, P < .001). If their cancer was beyond MC after the third TACE, the LT rate was 3.7%. Conclusions: An increased number of TACE procedures may have diminishing returns in preparing patients for LT. Our study suggests that alternatives to LT, such as novel systemic therapies, should be considered for patients whose cancers are beyond MC after three TACE procedures.

Alcohol-associated liver disease predicts increased post-liver transplant opioid use.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a rising indication for liver transplantation (LT). Prolonged opioid use after LT leads to increased graft loss and mortality. The aim is to determine if patients transplanted with a primary diagnosis of ALD had higher risk of post-LT opioid use (p-LTOU) compared to non-ALD patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent LT between 2015 and 2018 at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute. Patients with prolonged hospitalization post-LT (>90 days), death within 90 days post-LT, and re-transplants were excluded. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety seven patients were transplanted, among 29% for indications of ALD. ALD patients were younger (52 vs. 56 years), more likely to be male (76% vs. 61%), Caucasian (71% vs. 44%), have higher MELD (28.8±8.8 vs. 25±8.8), and psychiatric disease than non-ALD patients (P < .05). There was no difference in pre-LT use of opioids, tobacco, marijuana, or illicit drugs between ALD and non-ALD patients. Pre-LT opioid use (OR = 11.7, P < .001), ALD (OR = 2.5, P = .01), and MELD score (OR = .95, P = .02) independently predicted 90-day p-LTOU. CONCLUSIONS: ALD, pre-LT opioid use, and MELD score independently predict p-LTOU. Special attention should be paid to identify post-LT prolonged opioid use in ALD patients.

Postoperative Myocardial Injury and Outcomes in Liver and Kidney Transplant Patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is associated with major adverse cardiac events (MACE), but its significance post-liver and post-kidney transplantation is not well-defined. METHODS/MATERIALS: We retrospectively studied consecutive patients undergoing single-organ liver or kidney transplantation at a large tertiary transplant center. Liver and kidney transplant patients with troponins drawn within 30 days of transplantation were included. The primary exposure was MINS, defined as troponin elevation above the 99th percentile of the upper reference limit within 30 days of transplantation. The primary outcome was MACE, defined as death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke, or heart failure hospitalization. RESULTS: Overall, 112 patients were included: 58 (51.7%) were liver transplant recipients, and 54 (48.3%) were kidney transplant recipients. Patients with MINS were significantly older (mean age 59 vs. 54 years, p = 0.01) and more likely to have diabetes (35% vs. 17%, p = 0.03). Other baseline characteristics were similar. Sixteen patients (14.2%) developed MACE, including 11 (9.8%) with 1-year MACE. MINS patients were significantly more likely to develop 1-year MACE (adjusted hazard ratio, 10.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-198). Kaplan-Meier cumulative MACE was significantly higher in the MINS group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Liver and kidney transplant recipients with MINS are significantly more likely to develop 1-year MACE compared to those without MINS. Future prospective studies are needed to further delineate the cardiac risk and outcomes in transplanted patients.

Pre-Operative Cardiovascular Testing before Liver Transplantation.

End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is increasingly prevalent and shares many risk factors with coronary artery disease (CAD). No specific guidelines exist for pre-liver transplant evaluation of CAD, and pretransplant cardiovascular testing varies widely. The aim of this study is to characterize pre-transplant cardiac testing practices with post-transplant clinical outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing initial liver transplantation at our transplant center between January 2015 and March 2019. Patients with previous liver transplantation or multi-organ transplantation were excluded. Electronic medical records were reviewed for relevant demographic and clinical data. We included 285 patients with a mean follow-up of 2.4 years. Of 274 patients (96.1%) with pre-transplant transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), 18 (6.6%) were abnormal. Non-invasive ischemic testing was performed in 193 (68%) patients: 165 (58%) underwent stress TTE, 24 (8%) underwent myocardial perfusion imaging, 3 underwent coronary computed tomography, and 1 underwent exercise electrocardiogram. Sixteen patients (6%) had left heart catheterization of which 10 (63%) were abnormal and 5 proceeded to revascularization before transplant. There were 4 (1.4%) deaths within 30 days of transplant and 23 deaths (8.1%) in total. ST-elevation myocardial infarction was seen in 1 patient within 30 days and 1 patient after 30 days (0.7% total). No cardiovascular deaths were observed. Among patients undergoing liver transplantation, pre-transplantation cardiovascular testing is exceedingly common and post-transplant cardiovascular complications are rare. Additional research is needed to determine the optimal testing and surveillance in this patient population.