MELD和SOFA评分系统对预测慢加急性肝衰竭患者短期预后的临床应用价值

目的评价终末期肝病模型(MELD)和序贯器官衰竭估计(SOFA)评分系统对预测慢加急性肝衰竭(ACLF)患者短期预后的临床应用价值。方法对78例慢加急性肝衰竭患者的资料进行回顾性分析,依据治疗3个月时患者的生存情况分为死亡组和生存组,分别进行MELD和SOFA系统评分。应用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)评价预测价值,并用K-M生存曲线分析两种预测模型的差异。结果 MELD和SOFA分值均能够较好地预测慢加急性肝衰竭患者3个月内的病死率,C-statistic分别为0.826和0.825,两者的预测能力比较差异无统计学意义(Z=0.0148,P=0.988)。SOFA评分7分和MELD评分23.9分患者分别较SOFA评分≥7分和MELD评分≥23.9分者生存率显著增高,差异有统计学意义(χ~2值分别为17.66和28.33,P值均为0.000)。结论 MED和SOFA评分系统在预测慢加急性肝衰竭患者短期预后方面效果相近。     

Poor immune response to coronavirus disease vaccines in decompensated cirrhosis patients and liver transplant recipients

Background and aimsRecent studies have reported poor humoral immune response to mRNA vaccines in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). However, the immunogenicity of ChAdOx1 (vector-based) and BBV152 (inactivated virus) vaccines in patients with CLD and liver transplant recipients (LTRs) is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to assess the immunogenicity of ChAdOx1 and BBV152 vaccines in patients with CLD (including cirrhosis patients) and LTRs.MethodsIn this single-center prospective study, consecutive completely vaccinated (ChAdOx1 or BBV152) non-cirrhosis CLD patients, those with cirrhosis, and LTRs were compared with matched healthy controls for anti-spike antibody and cellular response.ResultsSixty healthy individuals, 50 NCCLD patients, 63 compensated and 50 decompensated cirrhosis, and 17 LTRs were included. The proportion of non-responders was similar among the healthy control (8 %), non-cirrhosis CLD (16 %), and compensated cirrhosis groups (17.5 %;p = 0.3). However, a higher proportion of patients with decompensated cirrhosis (34 %) and LTRs (59 %) were non-responders than the healthy controls (p = 0.001). Cluster of differentiation (CD) 4-effector cells were lower in patients with non-cirrhosis CLD and compensated cirrhosis. CD4-naïve, CD4-effector, B, and B-memory cells were lower in the decompensated cirrhosis group. Although the central memory cells were higher in the decompensated cirrhosis group, they could not differentiate into effector cells. CD4- and CD8-naïve cells were higher in the marrow in the LTRs, while the CD4-effector memory cells and CD4- and CD8-effector cells were lower in the LTRs. Furthermore, B cells were more deficient in the LTRs, suggesting poor antibody response.ConclusionPatients with decompensated cirrhosis and LTRs demonstrated suboptimal humoral and cellular immune responses against recombinant and inactivated COVID-19 vaccines.     

Developments in pediatric liver transplantation since implementation of the new allocation rules in Eurotransplant

Liver allocation in the Eurotransplant (ET) region has changed from a waiting time to an urgency‐based system using the model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score in 2006. To allow timely transplantation, pediatric recipients are allocated by an assigned pediatric MELD independent of severity of illness. Consequences for children listed at our center were evaluated by retrospective analysis of all primary pediatric liver transplantation (LTX) from deceased donors between 2002 and 2010 (110 LTX before/50 LTX after new allocation). Of 50 children transplanted in the MELD era, 17 (34%) underwent LTX with a high‐urgent status that was real in five patients (median lab MELD 22, waiting time five d) and assigned in 12 patients (lab MELD 7, waiting time 35 d). Thirty‐three children received a liver by their assigned pediatric MELD (lab MELD 15, waiting time 255 d). Waiting time in the two periods was similar, whereas the wait‐list mortality decreased (from about four children/yr to about one child/yr). One‐ and three‐yr patient survival showed no significant difference (94.5/97.7%; p = 0.385) as did one‐ and three‐yr graft survival (80.7/75.2%; and 86.5/82%; p = 0.436 before/after). Introduction of a MELD‐based allocation system in ET with assignment of a granted score for pediatric recipients has led to a clear priorization of children resulting in a low wait‐list mortality and good clinical outcome.     

MELD at POD 1 as a predictor of outcome in liver allografts with peak AST >5000 U/l

Perioperative liver graft injury is associated with elevation of aminotransferases after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Values above 5000 U/l usually are regarded as extreme liver graft injury (ELGI). Some patients and organs recover from this critical condition. The aim of the study was to evaluate factors contributing to graft and patient survival after ELGI. From chart review we identified 64 of 917 OLT adult patients (median age 54.2 years; 68.8% males) transplanted between 11/2003 and 02/2012, who presented ELGI after OLT. Donor and recipient factors were analyzed and correlated with the outcome by univariable and multivariable methods. Multivariable cox proportional hazards showed that recipient's BMI (P = 0.01), model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score before OLT (P = 0.02) and laboratory MELD score 24 h after OLT (P = 0.01) were independently associated with patient survival. 30‐days and 12‐months survival in patients with a postoperative laboratory MELD higher than 31 was 21.4%, while patients with a postoperative laboratory MELD lower than 31 displayed 30‐days and 12‐months survival rates of 80% and 71.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). Retransplantation in the setting of ELGI after OLT should be based on all available data. Utilization of the postoperative labMELD enables the transplant physician within 24 h after transplantation to identify necessity of retransplantation objectively.     

The incidence of chylous ascites after liver transplantation and the proposal of a diagnostic and management protocol

Background

No protocol has been established for the diagnosis and management of chylous ascites after liver transplantation (LT). In this study, we retrospectively reviewed our cases of posttransplant chylous ascites (PTCA) and aimed to propose a diagnostic and management protocol.