Transplantation proceedings
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of metabolic acidosis in patients with a kidney graft: comparison of the bicarbonate-based and strong ion-based methods.
According to the traditional bicarbonate-based approach, metabolic acidosis is highly prevalent in kidney transplant recipients. However, the bicarbonate-based approach has been questioned by intensivists using strong ion difference-based methods. ⋯ The use of the SID yielded results that were similar to the traditional bicarbonate-based approach. Conversely, SIG appeared to be more sensitive than AG for detection of anion accumulation among patients with a kidney graft.
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Comparative Study
Model for end-stage liver disease score versus simplified acute physiology score criteria in acute renal failure after liver transplantation.
Hepatic function and renal failure are closely related among patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) due to splanchnic hemodynamic mechanisms that characterize advanced decompensated cirrhosis. Acute renal failure (ARF) is a frequent complication that occurs immediately post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score describes the survival of patients with ESLD awaiting OLT related to the severity of liver disease. ⋯ These patients showed significantly higher MELD scores, while there was no association with systemic parameters related to the critical patient's condition or with the mortality score as evaluated by SAPS II criteria. We confirmed the association between renal failure and hepatic function among liver transplant patients. A more severe degree of hepatic dysfunction before OLT was associated with a greater incidence of ARF that can adversely affect patient survival.
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Surface electromyography (SEMG) is described as a technique to detect voluntary muscle activity. In the respiratory muscles, diaphragm and the rectus abdominis-are especially important for respiratory compliance. ⋯ The respiratory muscle evaluation using SEMG detected decreased respiratory muscle strength and a trend to rectus abdominis compliance among LDS.
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Varicella is a well-known contagious disease of childhood that can also affect both immunodepressed and immunocompetent adults. The present observations concern a previously healthy adult patient who presented with a fulminant hepatitis evolving in multiorgan failure (MOF), associated with an atypical papulo-ethemateous cutaneous rash without fever. An hepatic biopsy showed massive necrosis. ⋯ The diagnosis of liver disease from VZV should always be clinically suspected in the presence of concurrent atypical skin lesions and a temporarily immunocompromised state. Therapy with acyclovir was ineffective in our patient. Based on the wide spectrum of VZV infections, fulminant MOF in immunocompetent adults must raise the possibility of VZV with simultaneous HHV6 infection with early listing of the patient for a urgent OLT, possibly with a total hepatectomy as a bridge, due to the therapeutic uncertainty of medical treatments.
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Acute renal failure (ARF) often complicates the postoperative period of patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT); it is habitually associated with high mortality rates. Similarly, patients undergoing major nonelective abdominal surgery are prone to ARF because of their frequent preexistent morbidities, abdominal sepsis, and needed for extended surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of ARF and use of renal replacement therapy (RRT) among OLT versus nonelective abdominal surgery patients and associations with clinical outcomes. ⋯ ARF occurrence was lower among the OLT (29%) than the surgery group (47%) requiring RRT in 71% and 53% of patients due to ARF, respectively. The ICU mortality of ARF patients in both groups (29% OLT and 51% surgery) were greater than among subjects without ARF (2% and 6%). The occurrence of ARF is common among these two patient groups, and associated with increased risk of death among in surgery (+45%) versus in OLT (+27%) patients.