肝移植患者术中凝血功能的变化及影响因素

目的:探讨不同肝移植术式术中凝血功能变化的规律及相关的影响因素.方法:将2006-06/2007-05我院15例亲体肝移植患者及29例原位肝移植患者,分为肝癌组,肝硬化和急性肝衰组.综合评估患者术前状态,于患者术前及术中(无肝前期、无肝期、再灌注期30 min、再灌注期1 h)检测凝血酶原时间(PT)、活化的部分凝血酶原时间(APTT)、国际标准化比值(INR)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)、血小板计数(PLT)、血红蛋白量(HB)、白蛋白(ALB)及CO_2结合力(TCO_2),观察不同肝移植术式术中各组患者凝血功能及酸碱失衡的变化规律及特点,分析术前和术中可能存在的影响因素及与凝血功能的相关性.结果:肝硬化患者组术前凝血状态介于肝癌组与急性肝衰组之间.术前PLT明显减少,与其他两组相比差异显著(P<0.05).无肝期各项指标进一步恶化.再灌注30 min PT,APTT,INR值达到峰值,FIB水平于无肝期达到最低点(亲体移植:0.68±0.17 g/L vs 0.93±0.37 g/L,0.77±0.19 g/L,0.83±0.27 g/L,0.72±0.31 g/L;原位肝移植:0.65±0.14 g/L vs 0.89±0.10 g/L,0.71±0.26 g/L,0.69±0.16 g/L,0.70±0.23 g/L,P<0.05).肝癌组各指标术前基本正常,术中变化幅度均较前两组小(P<0.05).急性肝衰组患者术前PT、APTT、INR延长最为显著,凝血状态最差(P<0.05),但术中恢复较快.除无肝期外,FIB较其他两组明显减少(P<0.05).应用Pearson相关分析术中出血量与围手术期因素的相关关系,发现MELD评分与术中出血量具有相关性(r=0.619,P<0.05).与原位肝移植相比,亲体肝移植术中凝血功能及代谢紊乱的变化较大,尤以无肝前期及无肝期恶化明显.再灌注后各项凝血指标恢复迅速(P<0.05).结论:应根据具体情况个性化治疗肝移植患者.     

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。     

肝移植术时凝血功能障碍的处理

目的:探索同种原位肝移植术(OLT)时凝血功能障碍的诊断与治疗.方法:回顾性分析我院23例次OLT术前和术中凝血功能、术中出血量与输注凝血因子、血小板和红细胞悬液的关系.结果:术前69.6%、56.5%、30.4%肝病患者分别有凝血酶原时间(PT)、活化部分凝血活酶时间(aPTT)、凝血酶时间(TT)延长·中位延长时间分别为6.3、21.8、6.8 s;纤维蛋白原(Fg)和血小板计数(BPC)中位值分别为1.38g/L和47×109/L.术中100%、91.3%、65.2%患者PT、aPTT、TT分别较对照延长,中位延长时间分别为10.3、55.2、18.8 s;Fg和BPC的中位值分别为1.26 g/L和27×109/L.术前凝血功能正常或纠正充分者16例次,术中血制品用量明显减少,红细胞悬液中位用量4600 ml;而术前凝血功能纠正不充分者7例,术中出血量增多,血制品用量也明显增加,红细胞悬液中位用量9000 ml.结论:肝移植术加重术中凝血功能障碍;充分的术前准备和动态监测凝血功能并酌情补充血液成分可减少术中出血和输血,以保障手术顺利进行.     

腹水和低钠血症对肝移植手术中输血量和升压药应用的影响

目的 探讨术前并存腹水或低钠血症对不同MELD评分患者在肝移植手术中输血量和升压药应用的影响.方法 192例行肝移植手术患者,按术前MELD评分、有无腹水或低钠血症分组,记录并比较肝移植手术中浓缩红细胞,冰冻血浆的输入量及升压药使用情况.结果 高MELD(＞30)评分组与低MELD(≤30)评分组比较,在手术中需输入更多的血液和使用升压药维持循环平稳;不同血清钠组 (Na＜130 mmol/L, Na≥130 mmol/L ) 在手术中输血量和升压药使用情况无明显差异;而并存腹水的患者,不论MELD评分及MELD A高低,与非腹水组相比,在手术中均需输入更多的血液和更高的升压药使用率.结论 虽然腹水和低钠血症均是衡量肝脏疾病严重性的指标,但仅有腹水这一指标影响患者在肝移植手术中的循环平稳.     

PVP、TURP治疗良性前列腺增生症疗效比较

目的 比较经尿道选择性绿激光前列腺汽化术(PVP)与前列腺电切术(TURP)治疗良性前列腺增生症(BPH)的疗效.方法 将50例BPH患者随机分为两组,分别TURP和PVP,比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、手术前后症状改善情况、术后膀胱冲洗时间、留置导尿管时间、住院时间及近期并发症发生情况.结果 两组患者术后前列腺国际症状评分(IPSS)、生活质量评分(QOL)、最大尿流率和残余尿量均较术前明显改善(P均＜0.01),但两组上述指标间比较差异无显著性(P均＞0.05);PVP组术中出血量、术后膀胱冲洗时间、留置导尿管时间、住院时间明显短于TURP组(P均＜0.05),但其手术时间明显长于TURP组(P均＜0.01);PVP组患者术后尿失禁、尿道狭窄、血尿等并发症发生率明显低于TURP组(P均＜0.05).结论 PVP与TURP均能显著改善轻、中度前列腺增生患者的症状,具有相似的临床疗效.与TURP相比,PVP操作安全、术中出血少、术后并发症少,患者恢复快.     

老年高血压脑出血患者术后再出血的影响因素

目的探讨影响老年高血压脑出血术后再出血的影响因素。方法回顾性分析218例经手术治疗的老年高血压脑出血患者的临床资料,根据颅脑CT复查结果将患者分为术后未出血组和再出血组,对比分析两组患者的相关指标,同时采用Logistic回归分析筛查影响术后再出血的高危因素。结果经手术治疗后再出血41例,再出血率为18.81%。再出血率在性别、年龄、患高血压年限、是否有糖尿病、入院时格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS)、术前原发出血部位、术前是否脑疝、是否彻底清除血肿中差异无统计学意义(P0.05),而在入院时收缩压、舒张压、血肿量、凝血功能、发病距手术时间、手术方式中差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,入院时收缩压和舒张压过高(收缩压200 mm Hg;舒张压120 mm Hg)、发病后超早期手术(6 h)、凝血功能障碍为老年高血压脑出血患者术后再出血的危险因素。结论入院时舒张压和收缩压过高、发病后超早期手术、凝血功能障碍是老年高血压脑出血患者术后再出血的独立危险因素。     

终末期肝病患者终末期肝病模型评分与左心功能的关系

目的 评价终末期肝病患者终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分与左心功能的关系.方法 回顾性分析2002年1月-2008年5月进行原位肝移植的患者92例的术前临床资料.其中男性75例,女性17例,年龄(50.3±9.5)岁;85例为肝硬化,7例同时伴有原发性肝癌.分析资料包括血液生物化学指标、凝血指标,肝炎病毒学标志物和二维心脏超声、心电图等.根据MELD评分系统将其分为3组:MELD评分≤9分31例;10分≤MELD评分≤19分45例; MELD评分≥20分16例.采用x2检验、方差分析,秩和检验和相关分析等方法判断MELD评分与心功能之间的关系.结果 MELD评分与左房内径(LAD)、室间隔厚度(IVST)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、主动脉瓣流速(AF)、心输出量(CO)、QRS间期(QRSI)、校正的QT间期(QTc)等呈正相关,r分别为0.317,0.341,0.228,0.387,0.325,0.209和0.347;P值均＜0.01;除QRSI外,上述指标及左室后壁厚度亦与国际标准化比率呈正相关,r分别为0.282,0.319,0.322,0.435,0.275,0.320和0.237;P＜0.05或P＜0.01; LAD、LVEDD、AF,CO、QTc与血清总胆红素呈正相关,r值分别为0.241,0.219,0.357,0.246和0.253;P值均＜0.05;IVST和二尖瓣流速E/A与血清肌酐相关,r值分别为0.216和-0.343;P＜0.05或P＜0.01.E/A≤1在研究对象中的比例为46.7%(43/92),在MELD分级的3组中比例分别为48.4%(15/31),35.6%(16/45)和75.0%(12/16),其中,MELD 10～19分组和MELD评分≥20分组间,x2=7.359,P=0.009,差异有统计学意义.结论 随着终末期肝病的进展,心脏的结构,功能及电生理活动逐渐减退.     

早期脑室腹腔分流联合颅骨修补术治疗老年脑外伤的疗效及对认知功能和应激反应的影响

目的探讨早期脑室腹腔分流联合颅骨修补术治疗老年脑外伤的疗效及对认知功能、皮质醇(Cor)、白细胞介素(IL)-6和肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α水平的影响。方法老年脑外伤患者60例按照随机表法分为观察组30例与对照组30例。对照组采用颅骨修补术治疗,观察组采用早期脑室腹腔分流联合颅骨修补术治疗。两组患者均实施开颅血肿清除术,骨瓣减压术。对照组于患者开颅血肿清除术后3个月进行脑室腹腔分流术;观察组采用早期脑室腹腔分流联合颅骨修补术同时进行,具体操作方法同对照组。比较两组术前和术后3 d认知功能状态、Cor、IL-6和TNF-α含量变化,术前和术后3个月格拉斯(GOS)、格拉斯(GCS)和日常生活活动能力(ADL)评分变化及术后并发症。结果两组术后3 d功能独立性评价量表(FIM)评分和神经行为认知状况测试(NCSE)评分较术前明显上升(P0. 05),且观察组FIM评分和NCSE评分明显高于对照组(P0. 05)。两组术后3 d血清Cor、IL-6和TNF-α含量较明显术前上升(P0. 05),但观察组明显低于对照组(P0. 05)。两组术后3 d GOS和GCS评分较术前明显上升(P0. 05),且观察组明显高于对照组(P0. 05)。两组术后3个月ADL评分较术前明显上升(P0. 05),观察组明显高于对照组(P0. 05)。观察组术后并发症发生率(6. 67%)明显低于对照组(36. 67%,P0. 05)。结论早期脑室腹腔分流联合颅骨修补术治疗老年脑外伤患者效果显著,可改善患者认知功能,且应激反应小。     

经皮椎间孔镜在治疗中老年腰椎间盘突出症中的应用

目的评价应用经皮椎间孔镜(PTED)治疗中老年腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果和价值。方法前瞻性研究分析2016年3月至2018年9月空军特色医学中心骨科采用PTED切除突出椎间盘髓核减压治疗的50～72岁腰椎间盘突出症患者,共50例,并以同期常规开放椎板开窗或半椎板切除减压突出椎间盘髓核切除手术的50～71岁患者50例为对照组。比较2组患者术中出血量、手术时间、术后住院时间。以术后1 d、1个月、3个月疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)和术后3个月Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI),及术后6个月改良MacNab标准评定手术疗效。手术前及术后3～6个月行MRI检查,观察手术前后椎管及椎间盘突出的变化。使用STATA 12.0统计软件进行统计分析。结果 2组患者年龄、术前VAS和ODI评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05),术后VAS和ODI评分较术前均显著下降(P0.01);PTED组术后1 d、1个月的VAS评分显著低于对照组(P0.01)。术后3个月,2组VAS和ODI评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术后6个月,2组改良MacNab标准评定功能差异无统计学意义(P0.05);PTED组术中出血量、术后住院时间显著少于对照组(P0.01);2组手术时间无统计学差异(P0.05)。MRI检查结果显示,与术前比较,2组术后3～6个月椎间盘突出均消失或明显减小,椎管通畅、面积明显增大。结论 PTED技术治疗中老年腰椎间盘突出症,中期疗效与单纯开放手术相当,但PTED早期疗效好、损伤小、恢复快、并发症少。     

脓毒症患者血浆抗凝血酶Ⅲ及D-二聚体与SOFA评分的相关性研究

目的 探讨脓毒症患者血浆抗凝血酶Ⅲ(AT-Ⅲ)活性、D-二聚体(D-dimer)与序贯器官衰竭评估(SOFA)评分的关系及其对病情严重程度的判断价值.方法 选取2006年1月至2007年1月在宁夏医学院附属医院ICU住院治疗的101例脓毒症患者,测定其明确诊断后24 h内的AT-Ⅲ活性和D-dimer质量浓度,同时记录呼吸、凝血、循环、中枢神经系统及肾脏、肝脏的SOFA评分.依据多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)发生与否分为MODS组(46例)和非MODS组(55例);比较不同SOFA评分分段AT-Ⅲ活性和D-dimer质量浓度的差异,并进行相关性分析.结果 MODS组D-dimer质量浓度和SOFA评分均显著高于非MODS组(P＜0.05和P＜0.01),AT-Ⅲ活性显著低于非MODS组(P＜0.01);MODS组呼吸、循环、中枢神经系统凝血及肾脏的SOFA评分显著高于非MODS组(P均＜0.01);不同SOFA评分分段AT-Ⅲ活性和D-dimer质量浓度变化差异均有显著性意义(P＜0.01);AT-Ⅲ活性与SOFA评分呈明显负相关(r=-0.536,P＜0.01);D-dimer质量浓度与SOFA评分呈明显正相关(r=0.410,P＜0.01).结论 脓毒症患者存在明显的凝血功能障碍,血浆AT-Ⅲ活性和D-dimer测定及SOFA评分系统对于脓毒症患者病情严重程度的评估有良好的应用价值.     

Indicators and outcome of liver transplantation in acute liver decompensation after flares of hepatitis B

Summary. Non‐cirrhotic patients having acute liver decompensation in flares of hepatitis B can recover spontaneously or die without liver transplantation. Criteria for identifying patients in need of liver transplantation are lacking. Fifty‐one non‐cirrhotic patients having acute liver decompensation in flares of hepatitis B were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into three groups: group A patients (n = 18) recovered from acute liver decompensation spontaneously; group B patients (n = 22) died of acute liver failure; and group C patients (n = 11) had liver transplantation. Model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) scores were evaluated to identify the criteria for liver transplantation. The cut‐off point of MELD scores for liver transplantation was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Comparing group A and B patients, MELD score was an independent factor to predict prognosis. By analysing ROC curve, a MELD score > 30 was the most optimal cut‐off point to indicate liver transplantation; however, the false positive rate was 11.1%. By weekly measurement of MELD scores, subsequent increase in MELD scores could help to avoid false positives. Moreover, a MELD score > 34 yielded 0% false positive rate and indicated the necessity of definite liver transplantation. For group C patients, ten of 11 patients were saved by liver transplantation. In conclusion, for the patients having acute liver decompensation in flares of hepatitis B, liver transplantation is definitely indicated by MELD scores > 34. Liver transplantation is also indicated if the MELD score increases in the subsequent 1–2 weeks. Liver transplantation has a good outcome if performed on time.     

Model for end stage of liver disease (MELD) is better than the Child-Pugh score for predicting in-hospital mortality related to esophageal variceal bleeding

Aim: The Child Pugh and MELD are good methods for predicting mortality in patients with chronic liver disease. We investigated their performance as risk factors for failure to control bleeding, in-hospital overall mortality and death related to esophageal variceal bleeding episodes. Methods: From a previous collected database, 212 cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding admitted to our hospital were studied. The predictive capability of Child Pugh and MELD scores were compared using c statistics. Results: The Child-Pugh and MELD scores showed marginal capability for predicting failure to control bleeding (the area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) values were < 0.70 for both). The AUROC values for predicting inhospital overall mortality of Child-Pugh and MELD score were similar: 0.809 (CI 95%, 0.710 - 0.907) and 0.88 (CI 95% 0.77-0.99,) respectively. There was no significant difference between them (p > 0.05). The AU-ROC value of MELD for predicting mortality related to variceal bleeding was higher than the Child-Pugh score: 0.905 (CI 95% 0.801-1.00) vs 0.794 (CI 95% 0.676 - 0.913) respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MELD and Child-Pugh were not efficacious scores for predicting failure to control bleeding. The Child-Pugh and MELD scores had similar capability for predicting in-hospital overall mortality. Nevertheless, MELD was significantly better than Child-Pugh score for predicting in-hospital mortality related to variceal bleeding.     

Free intra-abdominal hemorrhage after open-heart surgery: an unusual gastrointestinal complication

Gastrointestinal complications after open-heart surgery are rare. Many preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors may predispose patients to these complications or cause them. Our patient was a 64-year-old woman who underwent aortic valve replacement due to aortic stenosis. Free intra-abdominal hemorrhage occurred on the 2nd postoperative day. During exploratory laparotomy, it was determined that the hemorrhage was from a vein near the falciform ligament of the liver and from a bleeding laceration of the splenic capsule. The complication was repaired surgically. To our knowledge, intra-abdominal hemorrhage of both liver and spleen after open-heart surgery has never been reported before, even in large patient series. We report the case and present our ideas regarding the cause of the bleeding.     

Blatchford,Rockall,MELD评分在肝硬化食管胃底静脉曲张出血患者预后评价中的应用

[目的]评估Blatchford,Rockall,MELD评分系统对肝硬化胃底食管静脉曲张患者预后的预测价值。[方法]选择2009年2月~2013年2月我院收治的肝硬化胃底食管静脉曲张出血患者146例,采用Blatchford,Rockall,MELD评分系统对患者进行评分和危险度分级,计算各个危险度患者的再出血率、病死率。采用ROC曲线下面积分析3种评分系统对患者6个月内死亡的预测价值。[结果]生存组和死亡组患者Blatchford评分差异均无统计学意义。而生存组患者Rockall和MELD评分均小于死亡组(P0.05)。随着Blatchford,Rockall,MELD评分的增加,肝硬化胃底食管静脉曲张出血患者再出血率和病死率均逐渐增加。Blatchford评分低危组再出血比率高于其余2种评分系统,而Rockall评分高危组患者再出血比率显著高于其余2种评分组(P0.05)。在病死率方面,Rockall高危组患者病死率高达94.1%,显著高于其余2种评分系统(P0.05)。Blatchford,Rockall,MELD评分系统评价患者6个月内病死率的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.56、0.61、0.85(P0.05)。[结论]Blatchford,Rockall,MELD评分系统可作为肝硬化胃底食管静脉曲张出血患者危险性和预后的评估指标,而MELD评分系统对患者死亡的预测价值优于其余2种评分系统。     

Persistent ascites and low serum sodium identify patients with cirrhosis and low MELD scores who are at high risk for early death

Despite the adoption of "sickest first" liver transplantation, pretransplant death remains common, and many early deaths occur despite initially low Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. From 1997-2003, we studied 507 cirrhotic United States veterans referred for consideration of liver transplantation to identify additional predictors of early mortality. Most of the patients were male (98%) with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C and/or alcohol (88%). Data for 296 patients referred prior to February 27, 2002 (training group), were analyzed; findings were validated in 211 patients referred subsequently (validation group). In the training group, 61 patients (21%) died within 180 days without transplantation; their median initial MELD score was 21. MELD score, persistent ascites, and low serum sodium (<135 meq/L) were independent predictors of early mortality. In patients with a MELD score of less than 21, only low serum sodium and persistent ascites were independent predictors of mortality; for MELD scores above 21, only MELD was independently predictive. Prognostic significance of persistent ascites and low serum sodium for low MELD score patients was confirmed in the validation group. Risk varied continuously with worsening hyponatremia. Modifying MELD, by including points for persistent ascites and low serum sodium, improved prediction of early pretransplant mortality in low MELD score patients. In conclusion, persistent ascites and low serum sodium identify patients with cirrhosis with high mortality risk despite low MELD scores. Ascites, hyponatremia, and other findings indicative of hemodynamic decompensation merit further prospective study as prognostic indicators in patients awaiting liver transplantation, and should be considered in setting minimal listing criteria.     

Evaluation of model for end-stage liver disease for prediction of mortality in decompensated chronic hepatitis B

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the predictive ability of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) for short-term mortality in chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: All patients admitted from 1996 to 2003 because of chronic hepatitis B and its related complications were identified by electronic search of the hospital database. MELD and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores on initial admissions were calculated. Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the factors associated with mortality. The area under receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) was used to determine the predictive abilities of the two models for 3-month and 1-yr mortalities. RESULTS: A total of 2,073 patients was admitted because of liver-related problems and 506 patients had chronic hepatitis B-related complications. Two hundred fifty-six (51%) patients died and 16 (3%) patients underwent liver transplantation. In multivariate analysis, MELD and CTP scores were independent predictors of 3-month and 1-yr mortality. Other independent predictors of mortality included older age, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), lamivudine treatment, and lower serum sodium. At both 3 months and 1 yr, the AUC of the MELD score (0.65 and 0.63, respectively) was significantly lower than that of the CTP score (0.75 and 0.77, respectively) (p < 0.0001). The differences remained significant when only liver cirrhosis patients without HCC at presentation were analyzed, but the AUC of the two scores became comparable when patients on lamivudine were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: The MELD score is a valid prognostic model in decompensated chronic hepatitis B. Lamivudine treatment may affect the performance of MELD score. Other variables including those in CTP score may improve its predictive ability.     

Vasoconstrictor use in liver transplantation: is there evidence for rational use?

Liver transplantation is a challenging surgical operation performed in recipients with major hemodynamic perturbations related to portal hypertension. The pathophysiologic alterations in portal hypertension include a hyperdynamic circulation and decline in systemic vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure. Cardiac function can also be depressed due to cirrhosis related cardiomyopathy. These cirrhosis related changes often lead to a tenuous state in which organ perfusion is threatened and declines rapidly in the setting of many other insults including blood loss, infection, and use of medications which can cause a decline in blood pressure. This can result in renal failure as well as reduced perfusion of other organs. Additionally, direct consequences of portal hypertension include risk of bleeding from porto-systemic collaterals both in the gastrointestinal tract as well as during abdominal dissection in liver transplantation. In this milieu the management of hemodynamic alterations during liver transplant surgery is a daunting task. Recent approaches have utilized various vasoconstrictor therapies along with judicious use of intravenous fluids to maintain systemic pressures and organ perfusion. Added advantages of this approach include the potential for reducing portal pressure and thus the severity of intra-abdominal hemorrhage during surgery as well as potentially increasing renal blood flow and reducing mesenteric hyperemia. Avoidance of liberal fluid use to maintain systemic pressures also has the advantage of reducing the severity of pulmonary edema and risk of reintubation or prolonged intubation after surgery. Although these approaches utilizing vasoconstrictors are promising, many questions remain. Randomized controlled trials like those performed in the pretransplant population are sparse in the setting of liver transplantation. The optimal vasoconstrictors including combinations and doses have not been defined. Most of the benefits demonstrated thus far have been surrogate outcomes such as reduced transfusion requirement, decreased need for reintubation and improved systemic hemodynamics and reduced portal pressures during surgery. There may be different outcomes of these approaches in patients with varying severities of liver disease. The safety of minimization of fluids, along with vasoconstrictor therapy during liver transplantation has been questioned in patients with higher risk of renal failure including recipients with high MELD scores. Other factors besides disease severity, including organ quality and cold ischemia times, need to be accounted for in future trials. Optimal outcomes including postoperative patient and graft survival, hospital stay and renal function should also be incorporated in future trials of vasoconstrictor therapy during liver transplantation.     

Is waiting time a measure of access to liver transplantation? Is shorter necessarily better?

BACKGROUND: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has been used since February 2002 to allocate livers for transplantation from deceased donors according to medical need. Allocation based on MELD scores should ensure that sicker patients receive transplants first regardless of transplantation center volume. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the MELD score at transplantation and waiting time of liver transplant recipients differs by transplantation center volume. DESIGN: Analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Centers were classified according to the volume of transplantations performed in 2005: high (> or =100 transplantations), medium (50 to 99 transplantations), and low (<50 transplantations). SETTING: Transplantation centers in the United States. PATIENTS: 20,075 transplant recipients between 27 February 2002 and 30 April 2006. MEASUREMENTS: MELD scores and waiting times of liver transplant recipients. RESULTS: Transplant recipients at high-volume centers had lower MELD scores (35.1% with MELD scores < or =18 vs. 22.7% and 27.0% at medium- and low-volume centers, respectively; P < 0.001), and the median MELD score was 22 compared with 24 at both medium- and low-volume centers. Despite having lower MELD scores, recipients at high-volume centers also experienced shorter waiting times (median waiting time, 69 days vs. 98 days and 94 days at medium-and low-volume centers, respectively; P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: The definition of transplantation center volume was subjective. The recent implementation of MELD precluded analysis of differences in long-term outcomes related to waiting time or center volume. CONCLUSIONS: The MELD scores and waiting time of liver transplant recipients differed by transplantation center volume. High-volume centers have shorter waiting times and perform more transplantations for less sick patients. The reasons for these differences are unclear but warrant further investigation.     

移植前终末期肝病模型评分与肝纤维化程度的相关性研究

目的 通过将临床终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分及Ishak病理学肝纤维化分级的相关性进行比较,探讨运用MELD评分评估肝移植患者肝纤维化程度的可行性.方法 采用计算机辅助图像分析法,定量评估华西医院2006年2至9月58例因终末期肝病接受肝移植手术者病肝标本的纤维化程度,同时运用改良Ishak肝纤维化分级法进行病理学诊断;收集入院当天的临床资料,计算MELD评分,利用Spearman等级相关分析法分析图像法、Ishak分级、MELD评分三者间的相关性,利用直线回归分析MELD评分与肝纤维化程度二者之间有无线性依存关系.按其结果 拟定参考标准.结果 图像分析法测定58例患者病肝标本的肝纤维化百分比为23.2%～88.4%,平均56.7%;入院当天的MELD评分为11～38分,平均22.85±9.32;Ishak分级0～6级者分别为0、2、7、12、18、12、7例,随着Ishak级数加大,肝纤维化百分比渐增,MELD评分逐步增高,Spearman等级相关分析表明其相关性有统计学意义(P＜0.01),利用直线回归分析MELD评分与肝纤维化程度二者之间也存在线性依存关系.结论 图像分析法能较准确地评估肝组织纤维化程度,与MELD评分有良好的相关性,运用MELD评分系统能对肝移植患者肝组织纤维化的严重程度进行评估.