The nature of malnutrition in children with end-stage liver disease awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation.

To evaluate malnutrition in chronic liver disease, and its relationship to nutrient deficiencies and hepatic dysfunction, 27 children with end-stage liver disease were studied. Mean protein-energy intakes were 70% of recommended daily intakes. The patients were underweight and stunted with reduced mean triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses and midupper arm circumference. Mean total body potassium was only 63 +/- 18% of that expected for age and sex. Deficiency of essential fatty acids (32%), and low concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins (A, 92%; E, 32%), iron (32%), zinc (42%), and selenium (13%) were common. Serum ammonia concentrations were raised in all patients, and increased methionine, tyrosine, and glutamic acid, and reduced glutamine concentrations were noted. There was no correlation between the degree of malnutrition and the degree of liver synthetic function, the degree of cholestasis, or the degree of liver injury. We suggest that potentially correctable factors in addition to liver failure (eg, inadequate absorbed intake) were important determinants of malnutrition in these patients.     

Isolated orthotopic liver transplantation for parenteral nutrition-associated liver injury

BACKGROUND: Mild liver dysfunction is common after prolonged use of parenteral nutrition (PN), but end-stage liver failure occurs only rarely. Few treatment options other than combined liver-intestine transplantation exist for patients with liver failure associated with PN use, however. Herein, we report the results of a cohort of patients undergoing isolated orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for PN-associated liver injury. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 80 patients (73 pediatric patients and 7 adults) who have undergone isolated OLT for PN-associated liver injury as the primary indication for transplantation was performed. RESULTS: At the time of OLT, the mean total serum bilirubin was 19.5 mg/dL and the mean serum albumin level was 2.9 mg/dL. Severe hepatic encephalopathy was seen in 5%, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was seen in 6.3%, and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation was seen in 14% of patients at the time of OLT. Overall 1- and 5-year survival rates were 72% and 52%, respectively, with infection being the most common cause of death after OLT. Retransplantation was required in 25% of patients, and the 5-year posttransplant patient survival rate only reached 35% in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with end-stage liver disease associated with PN administration often have very severe liver disease, multiple comorbidities, and poor prognosis by the time they are listed for OLT. Nonetheless, isolated OLT is associated with good long-term survival and should be considered for selected patients with combined intestine-liver failure.     

Late complications following renal transplantation

The number of renal transplant recipients is increasing steadily. Physicians from all specialties are ever more likely to encounter this vulnerable group of patients. They constitute a susceptible group because of increased mortality and morbidity. Half of the renal transplants are lost due to chronic transplant failure. The primary cause of chronic transplant failure is chronic allograft nephropathy. Other causes of transplant failure are calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, recurrence of the original renal disease such as glomerulonephritis and diabetes mellitus, stenosis of the renal artery in the transplant, and urological complications. The other half of the renal transplants are lost due to the death of the recipient. The primary cause of death is cardiovascular disease due to former chronic renal, hypertension and dyslipidemia following the use of immunosuppressants. In addition malignancies, infections and bone abnormalities do occur more frequently as compared to the normal populations. Alertness is warranted following kidney transplantation by both the patients themselves as well as all the treating specialists. Careful periodical monitoring for life is required because of the risk of the abovementioned complications.     

原位肝移植合并重症脓毒症病人的临床研究

目的观察肝移植合并重症脓毒症病人的相关检验和临床指标，旨在总结原位肝移植合并重度脓毒症这一特殊感染人群的ICU治疗经验。方法回顾性分析入住外科ICU术后的56例符合重症脓毒症标准者病人，分成2组：非肝移植组（A组）和肝移植组（B组）。分别在第1天、第3天和第7天记录病人一般情况、血乳酸、器官衰竭个数、APACHEⅡ评分和MODS评分。观察住院28d的存活率和随访情况。结果非肝移植组合并重症脓毒症住院死亡率30％，而在肝移植组则为57．6％。肝移植组第l天血乳酸比非肝移植组明显升高，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01），随之有所下降，但7d内仍然高于非肝移植组；肝移植组器官衰竭个数比非肝移植组明显增多，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；2组观察期间APACHEⅡ动态评分差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；MODS动态评分在肝移植组比非肝移植组明显升高，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论原位肝移植合并重症脓毒症住院28d死亡率约是非肝移植组的2倍，值得高度重视。原位肝移植合并重症脓毒症病人更容易合并有多器官功能衰竭且病情较难逆转。肝移植合并重症脓毒症病人判断病情和器官功衰竭程度的轻重，MODS评分优于APACHEⅡ评分。建议改进或者制定器官移植特有的评分标准并且应该加入血乳酸。     

原位肝移植合并重症脓毒症病人的临床研究

Objective To improve the treat effect of the orthotopic liver transplantation patients with severe sepsis. Methods Fif-ty-six post-surgery patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups. One was non-OLT group (A group) and the other was OLT group (B group). Besides general data, the surveillance of blood lactate, the number of failure organs, APACHE Ⅱand MODS were recorded. 28-days survival rate and follow-up were checked. Results The mortality of hospitalization in non-OLT group was 30% and 57.6% in OLT group. The level of blood lactate in OLT group at the 1 st day increased significantly, which was statistically differ-ent with that in non-OLT group (P <0.01). It decreased but kept higher than that in non-group in following seven days. The numbers of failure organs in OLT group were more than in non-OLT group (P <0.01). The continuous APACHE Ⅱ score had no significant difference between two groups. But the continuous MODS score in OLT group was higher than in non-OLT group (P <0.01). Conclusions The 28-days mortality of OLT with severe sepsis is almost two times as much as that of non-OLT. It should cause more attention. The OLT with se-vere sepsis is more likely suffered from failure organs and difficult to recovery. To assess the condition of failure organs in OLT patients with severe sepsis, MODS score is better than APACHE Ⅱ score in this study. It is suggested that the standard of score system could be improved or come up with new score for organ transplantation. It will be better if blood lactate score is included.     

Pathologic evaluation of orthotopic liver transplantation in Hungary

A total of 81 orthotopic liver transplantations were performed on 74 patients between January 1995 and December 1999 at the Department of Transplantation and Surgery of the Semmelweis University in Budapest. Indication for transplantation was liver cirrhosis in 57 cases, 10 patients were transplanted due to fulminant liver failure, while 7 patients underwent transplantation because of liver metastasis of different semimalignant tumours. During the above period, retrospective studies on 205 pre- and posttransplantation liver biopsies, 74 explanted livers, 7 explanted liver grafts and 22 autopsy cases were performed at the First Institute of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research of the Semmelweis University in Budapest. A number of 116 protocol biopsies (dates as zero time, 7th day, 6th month and 12th month) and 73 non-protocol biopsies (taken due to liver allograft dysfunction) were analysed. Different gradings of acute rejection--characterised by trias of portal inflammation, venous endothelitis and bile duct damage--were detected in 62 cases. Chronic rejection occurred in 7 patients, with 4 cases of vanishing bile duct syndrome and one of the case of foam cell arteriopathy, add to 2 cases of chronic rejection characterized by undetermined bile duct damage. The present study includes the evaluation of 22 autopsy cases according to liver transplantation in Hungary, with the finding that liver allograft insufficiency was the main cause of mortality. Authors conclude that pathomorphological analysis has an important role in relation to liver transplantation.     

Successful renal transplantation following lung transplantation: a survey of the first Hungarian case

The authors review the case of their young patient, who underwent a lung transplantation in Vienna because of an end stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. During the prolonged postoperative phase renal failure full of complications developed, which necessitated haemodialysis. As the pulmonological rehabilitation was complete, but the regular dialyses considerably raised the risk of opportunistic infections, and also significantly reduced the quality of life of the patient, renal transplantation was performed in Debrecen four years after the lung transplantation. This is the first lung transplanted patient in Hungary who also underwent renal transplantation. Now, more than two years after the renal transplantation the patient lives a compensated, rehabilitated life, the respiratory function values have improved and the renal function values are also acceptable. The number of transplanted patients has significantly increased in recent years worldwide, and also in Hungary. However, due to immunosuppressive medications, calcineurin inhibitors mainly, numerous complications must be reckoned with. An outstanding one among them is the secondary renal failure which may occur both in acute and chronic form and may even necessitate renal transplantation. Renal transplantation is an excellent treatment option for end stage renal failure patients, who had received another organ transplant earlier. Kidney transplantation improves quality of life and increases expected survival, too.     

Acute beriberi following liver transplantation

Patients scheduled for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) undergo extensive routine preoperative cardiac assessment. We describe a 32-year-old male who underwent uneventful OLT for endstage liver failure on the basis of chronic hepatitis C and alcoholism. Despite a normal preoperative cardiac workup, the patient developed acute pulmonary edema on the second postoperative day. A diagnosis of beriberi was entertained and confirmed by (1) the thiamine diphosphate effect and (2) the dramatic response to intravenous thiamine. Possible precipitating factors are described. Thiamine, which has no significant toxicity, should probably be routinely supplemented in all patients undergoing OLT, especially those with a previous history of alcohol abuse.     

非静脉转流下原位肝移植围手术期循环和电解质变化的观察

目的观察非静脉转流下,经典原位肝移植病人围术期电解质浓度和血流动力学变化。方法9例原位肝移植病人在非静脉转流下,行气管插管静吸复合麻醉,术中经颈静脉双腔管持续监测CVP,桡动脉置管监测ABP,于手术各期定时抽取桡动脉血行血气分析,测定钠、钾、钙浓度;常规持续监测HR,SpO2,ETCO2及体温。结果整个围手术期血钙持续偏低,无肝期和再灌注前期尤为明显。无肝期前期(5 m in)及再灌注前期(5 m in)血钾轻度上升,无肝期中期(30 m in)及再灌注中期(30 m in)血钠轻度上升,但极少超出正常范围,病人血流动力学稳定后逐渐恢复诱导后水平。进入无肝期后,大部分病人血压一过性明显下降,其余时间段均较平稳。结论非静脉转流原位肝移植,无肝期及再灌注期应注意纠正低血钙,无肝期前期(5 m in)及再灌注前期(5m in)应警惕高血钾发生。进入无肝期前应适当扩容,无肝期中应用血管活性药物维持血压,及时根据病人失血量及血球压积补充血容量,尽可能维持围术期循环稳定,防止再灌注前期严重酸中毒的发生。     

Predictors of relapse to harmful alcohol after orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: End-stage alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a common indication for liver transplantation. Outcomes may be limited by return to harmful drinking. Previous studies have identified few predictors of drinking relapse. AIM: This study examined novel postulated predictors of relapse to drinking. METHOD: The case notes of all patients transplanted for ALD at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from 1987-2004 were reviewed. Pre-transplant characteristics were rated by a psychiatrist independent of the transplant team, blind to the outcome. Outcomes were rated by a second independent alcohol treatment specialist also blind to the pre-transplant ratings. RESULTS: Of 100 patients, 6 died before discharge from hospital, 4 had <6 months follow-up, 18 relapsed to harmful drinking, 10 drank below harmful levels, and 62 remained abstinent after a mean of 5.6 years follow-up. Univariate analyses identified six potential pre-transplant predictors of return to harmful drinking. These were a diagnosis of mental illness (of which all cases were of depression), the lack of a stable partner, grams per day consumed in the years before assessment for transplant, reliance on 'family or friends' for post-transplant support, tobacco consumption at time of assessment, and lack of insight into the alcohol aetiology. Duration of pre-transplant abstinence and social class by occupation did not predict relapse. A multivariate model based on the above characteristics correctly predicted 89% of the outcomes. CONCLUSION: A model based on readily defined behaviours and psychosocial factors predicted relapse to harmful drinking after transplant for ALD. This model may improve assessment and post-transplant management of patients with advanced ALD.     

Blood carnitine status after orthotopic liver transplantation in patients with end-stage liver disease

We determined the effects of orthotopic liver transplantation on plasma and red cell carnitine concentrations in patients with end-stage liver disease. Before transplantation, plasma and red cell carnitine were significantly elevated above normal. The partitioning factor (ratio of red cell carnitine to plasma carnitine) was four times greater than that observed in our reference population. After hepatic replacement, plasma and red cell carnitine approached normal levels within 6 mo. The partitioning factor, however, remained elevated at that time. These results indicate that 1) there is no evidence for carnitine deficiency in severe liver disease on the basis of carnitine concentrations in the plasma and red compartments and 2) altered partitioning of carnitine between plasma and red cells persists for greater than or equal to 6 mo after hepatic replacement.     

肝移植病人术中血管外肺水变化的研究

目的 通过脉搏指示剂连续心输出量(PiCCO)监护仪对肝移植病人术中各个阶段血管外肺水(EVLw)的监测,了解其变化规律,分析可能影响EVLW的因素.方法 24例因终末期肝病行原位肝移植手术的患者,左侧肱动脉穿刺并置入5F热稀释导管,连接到PiCCO监护仪,监测血管外肺水、胸腔内血容量指数等参数.分别于手术开始前、无肝前期末、无肝期30 min、新肝期60 min、新肝期120 min和手术结束时记录上述各个血流动力学指标.结果 EVLW术前基础值明显高于正常值,术中虽有逐渐增加的趋势,但与术前相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),EVLW与ITBV呈正相关(r=0.822,P<0.05).结论 肝移植病人术中EVLW变化轻微;肝移植术中EVLW明显高于正常值,这主要与循环血容量增加有关.     

肝移植病人术中血管外肺水变化的研究

目的 通过脉搏指示剂连续心输出量(PiCCO)监护仪对肝移植病人术中各个阶段血管外肺水(EVLw)的监测,了解其变化规律,分析可能影响EVLW的因素.方法 24例因终末期肝病行原位肝移植手术的患者,左侧肱动脉穿刺并置入5F热稀释导管,连接到PiCCO监护仪,监测血管外肺水、胸腔内血容量指数等参数.分别于手术开始前、无肝前期末、无肝期30 min、新肝期60 min、新肝期120 min和手术结束时记录上述各个血流动力学指标.结果 EVLW术前基础值明显高于正常值,术中虽有逐渐增加的趋势,但与术前相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),EVLW与ITBV呈正相关(r=0.822,P<0.05).结论 肝移植病人术中EVLW变化轻微;肝移植术中EVLW明显高于正常值,这主要与循环血容量增加有关.     

肝移植病人术中血管外肺水变化的研究

目的通过脉搏指示剂连续心输出量（PiCCO）监护仪对肝移植病人术中各个阶段血管外肺水（EVLW）的监测,了解其变化规律,分析可能影响EVLW的因素。方法24例因终末期肝病行原位肝移植手术的患者,左侧肱动脉穿刺并置入5F热稀释导管,连接到PiCCO监护仪,监测血管外肺水、胸腔内血容量指数等参数。分别于手术开始前、无肝前期末、无肝期30min、新肝期60rain、新肝期120min和手术结束时记录上述各个血流动力学指标。结果EVLW术前基础值明显高于正常值,术中虽有逐渐增加的趋势,但与术前相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,EVLW与ITBV呈正相关（r=0．822,P〈0．05）。结论肝移植病人术中EVLW变化轻微;肝移植术中EVLW明显高于正常值,这主要与循环血容量增加有关。     

肝移植病人术中血管外肺水变化的研究

目的 通过脉搏指示剂连续心输出量(PiCCO)监护仪对肝移植病人术中各个阶段血管外肺水(EVLw)的监测,了解其变化规律,分析可能影响EVLW的因素.方法 24例因终末期肝病行原位肝移植手术的患者,左侧肱动脉穿刺并置入5F热稀释导管,连接到PiCCO监护仪,监测血管外肺水、胸腔内血容量指数等参数.分别于手术开始前、无肝前期末、无肝期30 min、新肝期60 min、新肝期120 min和手术结束时记录上述各个血流动力学指标.结果 EVLW术前基础值明显高于正常值,术中虽有逐渐增加的趋势,但与术前相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),EVLW与ITBV呈正相关(r=0.822,P<0.05).结论 肝移植病人术中EVLW变化轻微;肝移植术中EVLW明显高于正常值,这主要与循环血容量增加有关.     

肝移植病人术中血管外肺水变化的研究

目的 通过脉搏指示剂连续心输出量(PiCCO)监护仪对肝移植病人术中各个阶段血管外肺水(EVLw)的监测,了解其变化规律,分析可能影响EVLW的因素.方法 24例因终末期肝病行原位肝移植手术的患者,左侧肱动脉穿刺并置入5F热稀释导管,连接到PiCCO监护仪,监测血管外肺水、胸腔内血容量指数等参数.分别于手术开始前、无肝前期末、无肝期30 min、新肝期60 min、新肝期120 min和手术结束时记录上述各个血流动力学指标.结果 EVLW术前基础值明显高于正常值,术中虽有逐渐增加的趋势,但与术前相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),EVLW与ITBV呈正相关(r=0.822,P<0.05).结论 肝移植病人术中EVLW变化轻微;肝移植术中EVLW明显高于正常值,这主要与循环血容量增加有关.     

肝移植病人术中血管外肺水变化的研究

目的 通过脉搏指示剂连续心输出量(PiCCO)监护仪对肝移植病人术中各个阶段血管外肺水(EVLw)的监测,了解其变化规律,分析可能影响EVLW的因素.方法 24例因终末期肝病行原位肝移植手术的患者,左侧肱动脉穿刺并置入5F热稀释导管,连接到PiCCO监护仪,监测血管外肺水、胸腔内血容量指数等参数.分别于手术开始前、无肝前期末、无肝期30 min、新肝期60 min、新肝期120 min和手术结束时记录上述各个血流动力学指标.结果 EVLW术前基础值明显高于正常值,术中虽有逐渐增加的趋势,但与术前相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),EVLW与ITBV呈正相关(r=0.822,P<0.05).结论 肝移植病人术中EVLW变化轻微;肝移植术中EVLW明显高于正常值,这主要与循环血容量增加有关.