肝移植术后急性肾功能衰竭的危险因素分析

目的分析肝移植术后早期急性肾功能衰竭发生的相关危险因素。方法回顾性研究92例肝移植病例，对术前的血清总胆红素水平、凝血酶原活动度水平、终末期肝病模型评分、血清肌酐水平，是否存在肾脏结构性病变，是否出现休克，是否出现消化道出血，是否大量放腹水，是否行血浆置换治疗，是否需要肾脏替代治疗，术中是否使用静脉静脉转流，术中出血量和术后使用的免疫抑制剂种类等进行多因素分析，寻找术后1个月内发生肾功能衰竭的危险因素。结果术后共有29例患者发生肾功能衰竭，占全部病例的31．5％。多因素分析表明，术前高血清肌酐水平和低凝血酶原活动度水平是肝移植术后发生肾功能衰竭的危险因素。结论肝移植术后急性肾功能衰竭发病率较高，术前高血清肌酐水平和低凝血酶原活动度水平是肝移植术后早期肾功能衰竭的危险因素。     

肝细胞癌患者肝移植术后复发的危险因素及预后分析

目的探讨肝细胞癌(HCC)患者肝移植术后肿瘤复发和死亡的危险因素,了解患者生存情况。方法选取2005年1月-2019年2月于解放军总医院第五医学中心行肝移植的391例HCC患者。根据肝移植术后HCC是否复发分为HCC复发组(n=78)和无复发组(n=313)。计量资料两组间比较采用t检验或Mann-Whitney U检验;计数资料两组间比较采用χ2检验。利用单因素和多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析肝移植术后患者HCC复发和死亡的危险因素。应用Kaplan-Meier法分析生存情况,并通过受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)分析肝移植术后肿瘤死亡相关危险因素的预测价值。结果 391例HCC肝移植患者的中位随访时间2年,其中78例(19.95%)患者出现HCC复发。肝移植术后患者肿瘤复发和死亡的独立危险因素包括术前AFP水平 200 ng/ml[风险比(HR)=2.52,95%可信区间(95%CI):1.58～4.03,P 0.001; HR=2.99,95%CI:1.59～5.62,P 0.001]、肿瘤直径总和(HR=1.20,95%CI:1.12～1.28,P 0.001; HR=1.10,95%CI:1.02～1.17,P=0.002)、血管侵犯(HR=1.15,95%CI:1.04～1.26,P=0.016; HR=1.10,95%CI:1.03～1.18,P=0.004)。HCC肝移植患者术后1、5和10年总生存率分别为94.8%、84.2%和83.5%; 1、5和10年无瘤生存率分别为84.0%、75.1%和75.1%。AFP、大血管侵犯、BMI与肿瘤直径总和联合因素对于HCC复发患者死亡有一定的预测价值(ROC曲线下面积为0.789,95%CI:0.719～0.858)。结论肝移植术前肿瘤生物学特征是肝移植术后肿瘤复发的关键因素。     

肝移植治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化的疗效分析

目的 观察原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)患者和移植肝的实际生存时间,肝移植后死亡的原因及肝移植后的复发率。 方法 根据QLTS的数据库中的随访资料,回顾性分析52例共接受54次肝移植的PBC患者。52例PBC肝移植患者中,平均年龄(5 3.2±6.7)岁,平均随访时间是(5 5.4±11.3)个月。分析术前的临床特征、移植后生存情况和死亡原因,采用欧洲模式计算未接受肝移植患者和接受肝移植的患者的生存率。 结果 PBC肝移植患者的1、5、1 0年的实际生存率分别为8 8.4％、80.1％和76.9％,未接受肝移植患者实际生存率分别为80.9％、6 5.4％和19.8％。PBC患者移植后的生存率比未接受肝移植的患者(欧洲模型)预期生存率高。有6例患者经肝活检后证实PBC复发,平均复发时间(34.1±10.2)个月。肝移植术后死亡的原因是多器官功能衰竭、腹腔内出血、肾功能衰竭、败血症及心血管疾病。 结论 肝移植可提高P B C患者的生存率,延长其生存时间。     

老年股骨粗隆间骨折患者血清炎性介质的表达与患者预后的关系

目的探究老年股骨粗隆间骨折患者血清炎性介质表达与患者预后的关系。方法因股骨粗隆间骨折进入医院进行治疗的患者128例纳入研究组,同时选取未骨折的老年人100例作为对照组。研究组在入院时(t1)、麻醉开始时(t2)和术后1h(t3)、1d(t4)、3d(t5)、5d(t6)进行血清肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、白细胞介素(IL)-6、IL-10水平检测。对照组采集5 ml肘正中静脉血进行检测,项目同研究组患者。术后患者随访1年,记录患者发病、死亡情况。结果与对照组对比,研究组不同时间点TNF-α、IL-6及IL-10水平均较高(P<0.05)。与t1时间点对比,研究组t3时TNF-α水平显著升高(P<0.05),后逐步降低,t6时低于t1(P<0.05)。t4~t5时IL-6达到最高,t6仍高于t1(P<0.05)。t3时IL-10高于t1,t4~t5均为高峰,t6降至t1水平(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析结果表明患者TNF-α在术后1 d、3 d及IL-6在术后1 d能够作为老年股骨粗隆间骨折患者术后6个月的死亡危险因素。患者术后12个月随访,共死亡44例,存活84例。死亡病例术后3 d测定的血清TNF-α水平显著高于存活患者(P<0.05);术后1、3、5 d测定血清IL-6水平显著高于存活患者(P<0.05);死亡病例血清IL-10水平在术后1、3 d时高于存活患者(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析结果表明术后12个月死亡危险因素为IL-6术后1 d、IL-10术后1 d水平,并发症发病危险因素为术后1 d时IL-6水平。结论老年患者因股骨粗隆间骨折进行手术时,能够使其血清TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10水平显著提高,但炎症反应过度,因子水平较高使得患者预后不佳,在患者手术及住院期间进行炎性介质水平检测,能够及时捕捉到病情变化情况,便于早期处理,改善患者预后效果。     

肝移植术后患者急性肾损伤危险因素及严重程度分析

目的分析肝移植术后患者急性肾损伤(acute kidney injury, AKI)的危险因素及AKI严重程度的影响因素。方法收集2005年1月—2015年8月在我中心进行肝移植手术患者,排除术前AKI患者,共入组469例,对该组患者术前、术中、术后影响AKI的危险因素及术后4周时的转归进行分析、研究。结果 469例患者中,术后发生AKI者274例(AKI组),无AKI者195例(非AKI组),发病率为58.4%。受体身体质量指数(body mass index, BMI)、术前肌酐水平、冷缺血时间、手术时间、下腔静脉阻断时间、术后乳酸峰值、术后AST峰值等均是发生AKI的危险因素。术后4周AKI组20.4%患者肾功能仍然异常,病死率为3.6%,较非AKI组明显升高(P=0.027)。结论肝移植术后发生AKI的影响因素较多,受体BMI、术前肌酐水平、阻断下腔静脉时间、手术时间、术后乳酸峰值、术后AST峰值均是发生AKI的独立危险因素。术后4周AKI组患者肾功能异常及病死率较非AKI组均明显升高。     

酒精相关性肝病肝移植术后再饮酒与生存分析

目的分析酒精相关性肝移植患者的术后复饮率及其生存情况。方法对单中心2005年4月至2013年6月期间因终末期肝病行肝移植的435例患者进行回顾性分析,其中以酒精性肝病为第一移植原因的患者13例,以酒精性肝病为次要移植原因的患者68例,分别调查术前戒酒时间、术后复饮、复饮酒量,Kaplan-Meier方法计算生存曲线。结果 435例患者平均随访时间52.2个月,以酒精性肝病为第一移植原因的患者术后复饮率高于以酒精性肝病为次要移植原因的患者(46.15%比13.24%,χ2=7.838,P=0.016)。非酒精相关性肝移植的354例患者8年生存率为81.4%;以酒精性肝病为第一移植原因13例肝移植患者8年生存率为100%;以酒精性肝病为次要移植原因的68例患者8年生存率为85.3%;三者差异无统计学意义(P=0.117)。81例酒精相关性肝移植患者移植前戒酒时间6个月与移植后再饮酒无相关。结论以酒精性肝病为第一移植原因的患者术后复饮率更高,酒精相关性肝移植患者术后有较好的远期生存。酒精相关性肝移植患者移植前戒酒时间6个月与移植后再饮酒无相关。     

肝移植术后高尿酸血症发病率及危险因素分析：单中心回顾性研究

目的 探讨肝移植术后高尿酸血症发病率及危险因素。方法 对2018年1月至2019年5月于南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院行肝脏移植的164例肝移植受者进行回顾性分析。收集的人口统计学和生物化学数据包括性别、年龄、体重指数、术前血尿酸、肝移植手术时间、术中出血量、术中尿量、血尿酸、术后第1周平均他克莫司全血谷浓度、他克莫司全血谷浓度变异度,移植后1周、1个月、3个月、6个月肌酐清除率(creatinine clearance rate,CCr)。根据肝移植术后6个月血尿酸水平将患者分为正常组和高尿酸血症组,比较各组患者上述指标的差异。采用Logistic多因素回归分析肝移植受者高尿酸血症的影响因素。结果 最终共纳入81例患者,术后6个月高尿酸血症发生率为48.15%(39/81),高尿酸血症组男性比例显著高于正常组[84.62%(33/39)vs 64.28%(27/42);χ²=4.35,P=0.04]。高尿酸组患者的肾脏滤过功能显著低于正常组患者[术后1周CCr:93.67 ml/min vs135.05 ml/min,术后1个月CCr1:(105.39±40.86)...     

原发性肾病综合征患者肾组织、血和尿TNF—α变化及其意义

目的　探讨TNF α在原发性肾病综合征 (PNS)发病中所起的作用。方法　检测 40例PNS患者和 10名正常人血、尿、肾组织TNF α含量。 40例PNS患者接受糖皮质激素常规治疗。分别于治疗后 1、2、4、8周复查血、尿TNF α水平 ,并与正常人血、尿TNF α水平进行比较。结果　40例PNS患者肾组织局部、血、尿TNF α均较正常对照组明显增高 (P <0 .0 1)。激素治疗后显效31例 ,无效 9例 ,显效率为 77.5 %。显效者血、尿TNF α早期即开始下降 ,而激素治疗无效者血、尿TNF α无明显变化。血、尿TNF α与血尿素氮 (BUN)、血肌酐 (Scr)、2 4h尿蛋白定量 (Pro)明显正相关 ;与内生肌酐清除率 (Ccr)明显负相关。结论　TNF α参与PNS发病及疾病进展 ;激素治疗PNS有效 ,其作用机制可能与其抑制TNF α产生有关 ;血、尿TNF α可作为评价PNS发病及疾病活动性的一个临床指标。     

成人间活体肝移植受体术后肺部感染分析

目的 探讨活体肝移植受体术后早期(≤30 d)肺部感染的发生率、主要病原菌,预后以及肺部感染的危险因素.方法 回顾性分析四川大学华西医院肝移植中心2005年3月至2008年9月,术前无呼吸系统疾病的108例成人活体肝移植受体的临床资料,分析术后肺部感染的发生率、主要病原菌、患者的预后以及肺部感染的危险因素.对所有相关因素先用单因素分析(t检验,秩和检验及卡方检验)逐一筛选,然后将所有P<0.05的因素进行非条件Logistic回归分析.结果 肺部感染发生率为22.2%(24例),病原体包括细菌23例,其中4例患者为细菌与真菌混合感染,细菌中革兰阴性菌18例(78.3%),巨细胞病毒l例.24例中6例术后早期死亡,病死率为25.0%,84例未发生肺部感染者,有4例术后早期死亡,病死率为4.8%,X2=6.850,P=0.009,差异有统计学意义.单因素分析提示术后肺部感染与术中输全血/红细胞悬液量、术中输血浆量、术中输液总量、术后拔管时间、术后待重症监护室时间及急性排斥有关.Logistic回归分析提示仅术后拔管时间及急性排斥与术后肺部感染相关.结论 肺部感染是活体肝移植术后常见的并发症,有较高病死率,革兰阴性细菌为主要的病原菌,其发生与术后拔管时间及急性排斥密切相关.     

肝移植术后早期急性肺水肿14例临床相关因素分析

目的 探讨肝移植术后早期急性肺水肿的临床相关因素,为临床合理处理提供线索。方法观察我院行肝移植术后急性肺水肿14例患者的术前终末期肝病模型（MELD）评分、手术前后肾功能（尿量、血肌酐）的变化情况;记录移植术中及术后前3d总入量、总出量和液体平衡量。结果肝移植术后急性肺水肿患者（14例）术前MELD评分较非肺水肿组（127例）显著增高（P〈0．01）,且术后死亡率明显上升（P〈0．01）;急性肺水肿患者术前存在肾功能不全,术后血肌酐、尿量延迟恢复;术中、术后液体正平衡显著增加,与非肺水肿组差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论肝移植术后早期急性肺水肿与术前高MELD分值、术前肾功能障碍、术后肾功能延迟恢复及术中大量输液、术后限液不足密切相关,术中、术后严格控制出入量平衡,尽快恢复患者肾功能及相关重要脏器支持是防止肝移植早期急性肺水肿的有效措施。     

Preoperative risk factor analysis in orthotopic liver transplantation with pretransplant artificial liver support therapy

AIM: To assess the value of pre-transplant artificial liver support in reducing the pre-operative risk factors relating to early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). METHODS: Fifty adult patients with various stages and various etiologies undergoing OLT procedures were treated with molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS) as preoperative liver support therapy. The study included two parts, the first one is to evaluate the medical effectiveness of single MARS treatment with some clinical and laboratory parameters, which were supposed to be the therapeutical pre-transplant risk factors, the second part is to study the patients undergoing OLT using the regression analysis on preoperative risk factors relating to early mortality (30 d) after OLT. RESULTS: In the 50 patients, the statistically significant improvement in the biochemical parameters was observed (pre-treatment and post-treatment). Eight patients avoided the scheduled Ltx due to significant relief of clinical condition or recovery of failing liver function, 8 patients died, 34 patients were successfully bridged to Ltx, the immediate outcome of this 34 patients within 30d observation was: 28 kept alive and 6 patients died. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative SOFA, level of creatinine, INR, TNF-α, IL-10 are the main preoperative risk factors that cause early death after operation, MARS treatment before transplantion can relieve these factors significantly.     

Multivariate regression analysis on early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation

AIM: To identify the risk factors relating to early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation.METHODS:Clinical data of 37 adult patients undergoing liver transplantation were retrospectively collected and divided into two groups: the survived group and the death group (survival time<30 d). The relationship between multivariate risk factors and early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation were analyzed by stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: The survival rate was 73%. Early mortality rate was 27%. APACAE III, preoperative serum creatinine level and interoperative bleeding quantity had a significant independent association with early mortality. (R=0.1841, 0.2056 and 0.3738). CONCLUSION: APACHE III,preoperative serum creatinine level and interoperative bleeding quantity are significant risk factors relating to early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation.To improve the recipient's preoperative critical condition and renal function and to reduce interoperative bleeding quantity could lower the early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation.     

MARS (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System): experience in 34 cases of acute liver failure

As reported in the literature, the mortality rates for patients with Acute Hepatic Failure (AHF) approaches 80% in cases in which liver transplantation is not possible. Post-transplant mortality mostly depends on the severity of the neurological condition at the time of the operation (20% in I-II degree coma patients and 44% in III degree coma patients). The primary indications for liver transplantation in AHF are Fulminant Hepatitis (FH)(93%), Subfulminant Hepatitis (5%) and other indications (2%). Other causes of AHF are Primary Non-Function (PNF) and Delayed Function (DF), which occur in 7-10%. Therefore it becomes necessary to monitor the patients with a Liver Support Device to be able to improve the clinical condition of the patients before liver transplantation (LT). In our experience we used the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) (MARS Monitor; Teraklin AG, Rostock Germany), which enables the selective removal of albumin-bound substances accumulating in liver failure by the use of albumin-enriched dialysate. The system is used as a bridging device to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) of patients with FHF. We studied 34 patients, including 16 males and 18 females: 9 were affected by Primary-Non-Function (PNF), nine by Fulminant Hepatitis (FH), six by Delayed-Non-Function (DNF), and ten by Acute on Chronic Hepatic Failure (AOCHF). The average age of the patients was 41.8 years and the average number of applications was 6.4; the median length of application was about eight hours. The parameters that we monitored, before and after each treatment, were neurological status (EEG, cerebral CT, Glasgow Coma Score), haemodynamic parameters, acid base equilibrium, and blood gas analysis. We also monitored hepatic and renal function. In addition, the clinical conditions of the patients were monitored using kidney and liver ultrasound/ultrasonography (US). Inclusion criteria were bilirubin > 15 mg/dL, ammonia > 160 micro g/dL and a Glasgow Coma Score between 6 and 11. The reduction of bilirubin and ammonia were very significant (P < 0.01), whereas the changes of International Normalized Ratio (INR) were not significant. Also the modifications of albumin, total protein, sodium, potassium and calcium were not significant. In conclusion, four out of nine patients with PNF are alive without a second transplantation and were discharged after about 48 days; four out of nine underwent OLT, while one out of nine died; five out of six patients with DF are alive without a second transplantation, and they were discharged after an average time of 55.5 days, one out of six died; six out of nine patients with fulminant hepatitis underwent OLT and four of these are alive, while two died due to sepsis; three patients are alive without OLT. Four patients with AOCHF underwent OLT and are alive, three patients are alive and on a waiting list, two died while on a waiting list and one patient who experienced reactivation of HBV infection during chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is alive. In spite of the limited number of cases of our study, we believe that MARS can be applied with high tolerance for a very long period of time. In addition, its repeatability allows it to be used in patients with DNF and FH as a bridge to transplant. In patients with DNF, it is used while waiting for complete recovery of the transplanted organ.     

Causes and risk factors for liver injury following bone marrow transplantation

GOALS: A retrospective study of pretransplantation risk factors predisposing to liver injury following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). BACKGROUND: Liver complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality following BMT. Determination of the pretransplantation factors that are likely to lead to liver injury may allow earlier diagnosis after BMT and may possibly improve prognosis. STUDY: Medical records of BMT patients were reviewed, and results of serial liver function tests and HBV/HCV serology during the pre- and posttransplantation 1-year period were noted. Presence of liver injury was defined as alanine aminotransferase levels twice the upper limit of normal. Forty-four allogeneic and 17 autologous BMTs, performed between 1990 and 2000, were analyzed in the study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: One-year survival was 77% (34 of 44 patients) for allogeneic BMT and 52% (9 of 17 patients) for autologous BMT. Seventy-two percent (32 of 44) of allogeneic transplant recipients and 47% (8 of 17) of autologous transplant recipients had liver injury during the first year of BMT. The most frequent causes of liver injury were graft-versus-host disease and drug hepatotoxicity for allogeneic BMT and drug hepatotoxicity for autologous BMT. Fulminant hepatic failure occurred in one allogeneic transplant recipient who was a pretransplantation HBV carrier and led to death. Multivariate regression analysis showed that pretransplantation HBV/HCV positivity and pretransplantation elevated liver enzyme levels of any cause were predictive risk factors for post-BMT liver injury, and close follow-up, early diagnosis, and treatment are highly recommended for BMT patients with these risk factors.     

MARS: a futile tool in centres without active liver transplant support.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Studies on Molecular Adsorbent Recycling Systems (MARS) showed inconclusive survival benefits. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We evaluated the efficacy of MARS for patients with either acute liver failure (ALF) or acute-on-chronic liver failure (AoCLF) at our centre, from February 2002 till April 2006 retrospectively. RESULTS: Fifty ALF patients underwent median (range) three (1-10) sessions of MARS. Acute exacerbations of chronic hepatitis B (n=26) and drug-induced liver injury (n=12) were the commonest causes. Living donors were available in 6, 2 paediatric patients underwent left lobe and four adults underwent right lobe living donor liver transplant. Among the 44 ALF patients without a suitable living donor, one underwent deceased donor liver transplant and survived, another 19-year-old male with acute exacerbations of chronic hepatitis B recovered without transplant, and the rest died. Twenty-six had AoCLF and underwent four (1-10) MARS sessions. Sepsis (n=16) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n=4) were the commonest precipitating factors. None had a suitable living or deceased donor, suitable for transplantation during their hospitalization. Only one of 26 AoCLF patients survived the hospitalization, but the survivor died of sepsis 1 month later. CONCLUSION: In this non-randomized study, survival after MARS was related to the availability of transplant, and in patients where living or deceased donor transplant was unavailable, MARS was of little benefit. Randomized-controlled trials on MARS((R)) are urgently needed to clarify its clinical utility.     

Orthotopic liver transplantation as a rescue operation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after partial hepatectomy

AIM： To compare post-orthotopic liver transplantation （OLT） survival between patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） after partial hepatectomy and those who received de novo OLT for HCC and to assess the risk factors associated with post-OLT mortality. METHODS： From July 2003 to August 2005, 77 consecutive HCC patients underwent OLT, including 15 patients with recurrent HCC after partial hepatectomy for tumor resection （the rescue OLT group） and 62 patients with de novo OLT for HCC （the de novo OLT group）. Thirty-three demographic, clinical, histological, laboratory, intra-operative and post-operative variables were analyzed. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan- Meier method. Univariable and multivariable analyses were also performed. RESULTS： The median age of the patients was 49.0 years. The median follow-up was 20 mo. Three patients （20.0%） in the rescue OLT group and 15 patients （24.2%） in the de novo OLT group died during the follow-up period （P = 0.73）. The 30-day mortality of OLT was 6.7% for the rescue OLT group vs 1.6% for the de novo OLT group （P = 0.27）. Cox proportional hazards model showed that pre-OLT hyperbilirubinemia, the requirement of post-OLT transfusion, the size of the tumor, and family history of HCC were significantly associated with a higher hazard for mortality. CONCLUSION： There are no significant differences in survival/mortality rates between OLT as de novo therapy and OLT as a rescue therapy for patients with hcc. Pre-OLT hyperbilirubinemia, post-OLT requirement of transfusion, large tumor size and family history of HCC are associated with a poor survival outcome.     

原位肝移植术后并发曲霉菌感染的临床诊治分析

目的回顾性分析原位肝移植术后曲霉菌感染的临床特点及诊治经过，探讨改善预后措施。方法回顾总结207例原位肝移植术患者的临床资料，分析术后曲霉菌感染的部位、影响因素、诊治经过及预后。结果207例原位肝移植患者中17例术后并发曲霉菌感染，发病率为8．21％。口腔黏膜感染5例，无死亡；深部曲霉菌感染12例，其中单一脏器曲霉菌感染8例：切口感染3例、无死亡，肺脏感染3例、2例死亡，肝脏感染2例、1例死亡；多脏器曲霉菌感染4例，全部死亡。死亡病例中重型肝炎5例，肝炎后肝硬化1例，原发性肝癌1例。结论长时间应用广谱抗菌素(≥3周)和免疫抑制剂是肝移植术后并发曲霉菌感染的主要原因；重型肝炎患者感染曲霉菌的风险更高。两性霉素B治疗深部曲霉菌感染有效；预防性应用抗真菌药物，常规监测、早期治疗将有助于改善曲霉菌感染的预后。     

Postoperative delirium in the intensive care unit predicts worse outcomes in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND:

Delirium is common in intensive care unit patients and is associated with worse outcome.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify early risk factors for delirium in patients admitted to the intensive care unit following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODS:

An observational study of patients admitted to the intensive care unit from January 2000 to May 2010 for elective or semi-elective OLT was conducted. The primary end point was delirium in the intensive care unit. Pre- and post-transplantation and intraoperative factors potentially associated with this outcome were examined.

RESULTS:

Of the 281 patients included in the study, 28 (10.03%) developed delirium in the intensive care unit at a median of two days (interquartile range one to seven days) after OLT. According to multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for delirium were intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells (OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.18]), renal replacement therapy during the pretransplantation period (OR 13.12 [95% CI 2.82 to 72.12]) and Acute Physiologic and Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (OR per unit increase 1.10 [95% CI 1.03 to 1.29]). Using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for baseline covariates, delirium was associated with an almost twofold risk of remaining in hospital, a fourfold increased risk of dying in hospital and an almost threefold increased rate of death by one year.

CONCLUSION:

Intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells, pretransplantation renal replacement therapy and APACHE II score are predictors for the development of delirium in intensive care unit patients post-OLT and are associated with increased hospital lengths of stay and mortality.     

First clinical experience with Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) in six patients with severe acute on chronic liver failure

Despite recent advances in general supportive care, the mortality rate of patients with severe liver insufficiency remains high. Recently a new artificial liver support system MARS has been used for selective removal of albumin-bound toxins. Aim: To assess the safety and efficacy of MARS treatment in patients with acute on chronic liver disease (n = 5) or liver failure after extended hepatic resection (n = 1). Design/Patients: Six patients, aged 34-58 years, with severe liver insufficiency (mean MELD-score 31 (range 24-35)) were treated one to 16 times with the MARS system. At baseline three patients were intubated, three were encephalopathic (HE) and three had multifactorial kidney failure requiring kidney replacement therapy. Results and Conclusion: In all the patients MARS treatment significantly reduced the serum bilirubin levels. In three patients encephalopathy improved. In two patients the extracorporeal treatment precipitated a disseminated intravascular coagulation with clinically significant bleeding. Bridging to liver transplantation was possible in one patient, the other five patients died 30 days (2-74 days) after starting MARS therapy. Our case series shows that MARS treatment in general can be safely performed in patients with severe liver disease. However, in patients with an activated clotting system severe bleeding complication can be triggered and MARS treatment should be used very cautiously in these situations. MARS seems to be a promising new treatment option for patients with acute on chronic liver failure. However, carefully conducted randomized controlled trials are necessary to define its potential place in the treatment of patients with severe liver disease.     

Fractures and avascular necrosis before and after orthotopic liver transplantation: long-term follow-up and predictive factors

With early posttransplant bone loss, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) recipients experience a high rate of fracturing and some avascular necrosis (AVN), but little is known about the incidence of and predictive factors for these skeletal complications. We studied 360 consecutive patients who underwent transplantation for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and assessed both vertebral and nonvertebral (rib, pelvic, and femur) fractures in a protocolized fashion. Before OLT, 20% of the patients had experienced fracturing, and 1.4% of the patients had experienced AVN. Following OLT, there was a sharp increase in fracturing, with a 30% cumulative incidence of fractures at 1 year and 46% at 8 years after transplantation. In contrast to previous studies, there was a similar incidence of posttransplant vertebral and nonvertebral fractures. The greatest risk factors for posttransplant fracturing were pretransplant fracturing and the severity of osteopenia and posttransplant glucocorticoids. Nine percent of the liver recipients experienced AVN after OLT, and this correlated with pretransplant and posttransplant lipid metabolism, bone disease (bone mineral density and fracturing), and posttransplant glucocorticoids. A novel association between cholestasis and AVN was also identified, the mechanism for which is not known. CONCLUSION: Fortunately, recent years have seen an increase in the bone mass of liver recipients and, along with this, less fracturing and less AVN. Nonetheless, 25% of patients undergoing OLT for chronic cholestatic liver disease still develop de novo fractures after OLT; this situation demands an ongoing search for effective therapeutic agents for these patients.