Liver transplantation : official publication of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society
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Clinically significant infections (CSIs) are life-threatening but difficult to diagnose after liver transplantation (LTx). This study investigates the value of procalcitonin (PCT) in addition to c-reactive protein (CRP) and the leukocyte count (LC) as a prognostic marker for CSIs in LTx recipients. The clinical course of 135 LTx recipients was prospectively studied. ⋯ In conclusion, although peak PCT differed significantly between recipients with and without CSIs, it was not an independent risk factor for CSIs and added little prognostic accuracy. Interestingly, the parameters peak CRP, male sex, low BMI, acute liver failure, and long cold ischemic time were independent risk factors for CSIs. They could serve as risk stratifiers directing medical therapy in clinical practice.
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Transient postoperative coagulation abnormalities frequently occur in living liver donors, particularly after right liver resection. Usually, this coagulopathy is diagnosed by alterations in conventional coagulation tests (CCTs) such as the international normalized ratio (INR) of the prothrombin time. However, recent studies using other methods of coagulation monitoring have suggested that postoperative hypercoagulability may also occur in living donors. ⋯ In contrast, all donors had a normal coagulation profile as assessed by the ROTEM system throughout the study period. In conclusion, this study showed the disagreement between the CCTs and the ROTEM system, as no significant coagulation abnormalities could be revealed with the latter method during the study period. Further studies are needed to confirm the role of the ROTEM system as a perioperative coagulation monitor in this setting and ultimately its influence on the outcome of living donors.
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Here we examine the effect of adding carvedilol (CVD) to University of Wisconsin (UW) solution on the preservation of steatotic and nonsteatotic livers during cold ischemia and after normothermic reperfusion. We used an isolated perfused rat liver model. The following protocols were evaluated. ⋯ Alterations in the perfusion flow rate and vascular resistance, mitochondrial damage, and reduced ATP content were more evident in steatotic livers preserved in UW solution. The addition of CVD to UW solution reduced hepatic injury, obstructed its mechanisms, and improved hepatic functionality in both liver types. We conclude that CVD is a useful additive for UW solution that improves the preservation of steatotic and nonsteatotic livers subjected to prolonged cold ischemia.
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Chronic renal dysfunction is a frequent and severe complication in solid-organ transplant recipients. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are the main pathogenic factors of renal dysfunction. Switching from CNIs to nonnephrotoxic drugs, such as mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (everolimus and sirolimus), can improve renal function in these patients, but available data about the efficacy and safety of everolimus in liver transplant recipients are scarce. ⋯ CNIs were withdrawn in 20 recipients (95.2%). Rejection was not detected in any case. In conclusion, the application in liver transplant recipients with chronic renal dysfunction of an immunosuppressive protocol with everolimus and the withdrawal of CNIs was associated with an initial improvement of renal function tests without an increase in the risk of rejection.
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Recurrence of the original disease following liver transplantation is not uncommon and can lead to graft failure. There are limited data on recurrent fatty liver disease following liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of recurrent fatty liver disease in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, its effect on survival, and whether there are any predictive factors for recurrence. ⋯ One-third of patients with recurrent nonalcoholic steatohepatitis had normal liver enzymes at the time of diagnosis post-transplantation. In conclusion, recurrent fatty liver disease is common following liver transplantation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis but does not lead to early allograft failure. Recurrent nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can occur despite normal liver enzymes, and features of metabolic syndrome are associated with disease recurrence.