成人间活体肝移植后小肝综合征的预防：附6例报告

目的：探讨预防成人间活体肝移植术后小肝综合征（SFSS)的方法。 方法：回顾性分析6例成人间活体肝移植(LDLT)的临床资料,包括受体术前血细胞计数、脾脏厚度、门静脉直径、移植物重量与受体体重比（GRWR）、移植物体积与受体标准肝体积比（GV/SLV）及肝静脉重建等,探讨合适体积移植物、良好肝静脉回流、及正常门静脉灌注对SFSS的预防作用。 结果：受体术前均无严重门静脉高压,均没有采用降门静脉压力与血流的措施,6例肝移植物GV/SLV均大于40%,除1例GRWR为0.74%外,余均大于0.8%。6例受体肝静脉重建均良好,重建后肝脏无淤血改变。术后无SFSS发生。 结论：LDLT通过选择合适体积移植物,重建良好的肝静脉回流,控制门静脉压力,防止门静脉过度灌注等有助于预防SFSS的发生。     

Impact of a Left-Lobe Graft Without Modulation of Portal Flow in Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

In adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), left-lobe grafts can sometimes be small-for-size. Although attempts have been made to prevent graft overperfusion through modulation of portal inflow, the optimal portal venous circulation for a liver graft is still unclear. Hepatic hemodynamics were analyzed with reference to graft function and outcome in 19 consecutive adult-to-adult LDLTs using left-lobe grafts without modulation of graft portal inflow. Overall mean graft volume (GV) was 398 g, which was equivalent to 37.8% of the recipient standard liver volume (SV). The GV/SV ratio was less than 40% in 13 of the 19 recipients. Overall mean recipient portal vein flow (PVF) was much higher than the left PVF in the donors. The mean portal contribution to the graft was markedly increased to 89%. Average daily volume of ascites revealed a significant correlation with portal vein pressure, and not with PVF. When PVP exceeds 25 mmHg after transplantation, modulation of portal inflow might be required in order to improve the early postoperative outcome. Although the study population was small and contained several patients suffering from tumors or metabolic disease, all 19 patients made good progress and the 1-year graft and patient survival rate were 100%. A GV/SV ratio of less than 40% or PVF of more than 260 mL/min/100 g graft weight does not contraindicate transplantation, nor is it necessarily associated with a poor outcome. Left-lobe graft LDLT is still an important treatment option for adult patients.     

Liver Graft-to-Recipient Spleen Size Ratio as a Novel Predictor of Portal Hyperperfusion Syndrome in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Portal hyperperfusion in a small-size liver graft is one cause of posttransplant graft dysfunction. We retrospectively analyzed the potential risk factors predicting the development of portal hyperperfusion in 43 adult living donor liver transplantation recipients. The following were evaluated: age, body weight, native liver disease, spleen size, graft size, graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR), total portal flow, recipient portal venous flow per 100 g graft weight (RPVF), graft-to-recipient spleen size ratio (GRSSR) and portosystemic shunting. Spleen size was directly proportional to the total portal flow (p = 0.001) and RPVF (p = 0.014). Graft hyperperfusion (RPVF flow > 250 mL/min/100 g graft) was seen in eight recipients. If the GRSSR was < 0.6, 5 of 11 cases were found to have graft hyperperfusion (p = 0.017). The presence of portosystemic shunting was significant in decreasing excessive RPVF (p = 0.059). A decrease in portal flow in the hyperperfused grafts was achieved by intraoperative splenic artery ligation or splenectomy. Spleen size is a major factor contributing to portal flow after transplant. The GRSSR is associated with posttransplant graft hyperperfusion at a ratio of < 0.6.     

Massive ascites after living donor liver transplantation with a right lobe graft larger than 0.8% of the recipient’s body weight

Shirouzu Y, Ohya Y, Suda H, Asonuma K, Inomata Y. Massive ascites after living donor liver transplantation with a right lobe graft larger than 0.8% of the recipient’s body weight.
Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 520–527.
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: There are only limited data on post‐transplant ascites unrelated to small‐sized grafts in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods: The subjects were 59 adult patients who had received right lobe LDLT with a graft weight‐to‐recipient weight ratio (GRWR) > 0.8%. Patients were divided into either Group 1 (n = 14, massive ascites, defined as the production of ascitic fluid > 1000 mL/d that lasted longer than 14 d after LDLT) or Group 2 (n = 45, no development of massive ascites). Patients were followed for a median period of 3.0 yr (range, 0.5–7.5 yr). Results: Group 1 had both higher Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score and Child‐Pugh score than Group 2. Portal venous flow volume just after reperfusion was significantly greater in Group 1 than Group 2 (307.8 ± 268.8 vs. 176.2 ± 75.0 mL/min/100 g graft weight, respectively; p < 0.05). Post‐transplant infectious complications including ascites infection developed more frequently within the first post‐transplant month in Group 1. Massive ascites was significantly associated with early graft loss (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Post‐transplant massive ascites associated with portal over‐perfusion into the graft liver can develop in patients with a GRWR over 0.8%. Recipients with post‐transplant massive ascites require careful management to prevent infection.     

Successful super-small-for-size graft liver transplantation by decompression of portal hypertension via splenectomy and construction of a mesocaval shunt: a case report

We performed a successful super-small-for-size graft liver transplantation by decompressing portal hypertension via splenectomy and a mesocaval shunt. A 46-year-old woman with Child-Pugh class C liver cirrhosis associated with Wilson's disease underwent a living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The donor had an anomalous portal vein, hepatic vein, and bile duct, so we had to use the right lateral segment for the graft. Preoperative computed tomographic (CT) volumetry showed the volume of this area to be 433 mL; graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) was 0.72; and graft-to-standard liver volume (GV/SLV) was 39.0%. However, the real volume of the resected right lateral segment was 281 g; GRWR was 0.47; and GV/SLV was 25.3%--a super-small-for-size graft. After implantation, congestion of the small graft was severe due to excessive portal hypertension. Therefore, we tried decompressing the portal vein. First, we performed splenectomy which reduced the portal pressure which remained excessive. Second, a mesocaval shunt was constructed decreasing the portal pressure from 38 to 30 cm H2O. Additionally, we initiated continuous portal injection of prostaglandin E1. The postoperative course was not smooth, but the general status slowly recovered. Over 25 cm H2O of portal hypertension was observed until postoperative day 21 when it improved. At last, the recipient was discharged on postoperative day 156. Accurate preoperative CT volumetry is important to obtain sufficient graft volume. Our case may be one of the smallest-for-size grafts that was successfully transplanted. Management of excessive portal hypertension is important for LDLT, especially using a small-for-size graft. Splenectomy and construction of a mesocaval shunt may be useful strategies to decompress the portal vein.     

Effects of Hemi-Portocaval Shunts For Inflow Modulation on the Outcome of Small-for-Size Grafts in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Graft hyperperfusion in small-for-size grafts (SFSG) is considered the main causal factor of small-for-size syndrome (SFSS). We compared SFSG with a graft-to-recipient body ratio < or =0.8, with and without graft inflow modulation (GIM) by means of a hemi-portocaval shunt (HPCS). Thirteen patients underwent adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (AALDLT): G1, n = 5 [4 right livers (RL) and 1 left liver (LL)] without GIM, and G2, n = 8 (4 RL and 4 LL) with GIM. In G2 patients, portal vein flow (PVF) was significantly reduced by HPCS: 190 +/- 70 mL/min/100 g liver in G2 vs. 401 +/- 225 ml/min in G1 (p = 0.002). One- and 6-month post-transplantation graft volume/standard liver volume (GV/SLV) ratio was of 72% and 79.5% in G1; 80% and 101% in G2 (p = ns). SFSS was observed in three G1 recipients (who were retransplanted), but in none of the G2 patients. At 1-year, patient and graft survival was respectively of 40% and 20% in G1, 87.5% and 75% in G2 (p = 0.024 and 0.03). It is concluded that drastic reduction of PVF by means of HPCS improves overall patient and graft survival by averting the occurrence of SFSS. Graft inflow modulation through HPCS reduces the risk of complications when transplanting SFSG in adult recipients.     

Left lobe adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation: Should portal inflow modulation be added?

Recently, the successful application of portal inflow modulation has led to renewed interest in the use of left lobe grafts in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). However, data on the hepatic hemodynamics supporting portal inflow modulation are limited, and the optimal portal circulation for a liver graft is still unclear. We analyzed 42 consecutive adult-to-adult left lobe LDLT cases without splenectomy or a portocaval shunt. The mean actual graft volume (GV)/recipient standard liver volume (SLV) ratio was 39.8% ± 5.7% (median = 38.9%, range = 26.1%-54.0%). The actual GV/SLV ratio was less than 40% in 24 of the 42 cases, and the actual graft-to-recipient weight ratio was less than 0.8% in 17 of the 42 recipients. The mean portal vein pressure (PVP) was 23.9 ± 7.6 mm Hg (median = 23.5 mm Hg, range = 9-38 mm Hg) before transplantation and 21.5 ± 3.6 mm Hg (median = 22 mm Hg, range = 14-27 mm Hg) after graft implantation. The mean portal pressure gradient (PVP - central venous pressure) was 14.5 ± 6.8 mm Hg (median = 13.5 mm Hg, range = 3-26 mm Hg) before transplantation and 12.4 ± 4.4 mm Hg (median = 13 mm Hg, range = 1-21 mm Hg) after graft implantation. The mean posttransplant portal vein flow was 301 ± 167 mL/minute/100 g of liver in the 38 recipients for whom it was measured. None of the recipients developed small-for-size syndrome, and all were discharged from the hospital despite portal hyperperfusion. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient and graft survival rates were 100%, 97%, and 91%, respectively. In conclusion, LDLT with a left liver graft without splenectomy or a portocaval shunt yields good long-term results for adult patients with a minimal donor burden.     

Does Hepatic Graft Weight Affect the Reduction of Spleen Size After Living Donor Liver Transplantation?

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate whether the reduction in spleen volume at 6 months after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was affected by the size of the right lobe liver graft.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed 87 adult recipients of right lobe liver grafts who displayed preoperative splenomegaly: spleen volume >500 cm³ by computed tomographic (CT) volumetry. The recipients were grouped according to the graft weight-to-recipient weight ratio: GRWR >1 versus GRWR <1. The 2 groups were compared at 6 months after LDLT for mean postoperative spleen volume (SV) and mean SV change ratio 5, which was defined as [(SVpreop − SV6m)/SVpreop] × 100%, where SVpreop and SV6m represent SV calculated based on CT examinations preoperatively and at 6 month follow-up after LDLT, respectively.

Results

The GRWR ranged from 0.77 to 1.66. There were 53 patients with GRWR >1 and 34 with GRWR <1. Our analysis showed significant hepatic graft volume regeneration and SV reduction at 6 months after LDLT. The SV change ratio weakly but significantly correlated with the transplanted liver graft weight (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.274; P < .009). In the group GRWR >1, the mean postoperative SV and the mean SV change ratio were 632 ± 220 cm³ and decreased by 32 ± 11%, respectively. The mean postoperative SV and the mean SV change ratio in group GRWR <1 were 598 ± 188 cm³ and decreased by 34 ± 13%, respectively. There were no differences in mean postoperative SV and mean SV change ratios between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

LDLT using a right lobe graft resulted in a significant reduction of SV at 6 months after surgery, but there were no significant differences between recipients who received different sized right lobe liver grafts.     

Factors Affecting Persistent Splenomegaly After Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Using a Left Lobe

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to evaluate spleen volume (SV) and the factors influencing it after adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (A2LDLT) using a left lobe.MethodsPretransplant computed tomography (CT) and post-transplant CT 2 years after A2LDLT were examined by volumetric analysis in 24 patients. We divided the recipients into the following 2 groups according to the post-transplant SV: >500 mL (Group A) and ≤500 mL (Group B). The factors affecting the change in post-transplant SV were compared between the 2 groups.ResultsThe mean pretransplant SV decreased significantly after A2LDLT. Platelet counts after living donor liver transplantation increased significantly relative to the pretransplant values. Post-transplant SV was >500 mL in 9 patients (Group A) and ≤500 mL in 15 (Group B). Pretransplant SV, platelet count, anhepatic time, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, post-transplant portal vein pressure >20 mm Hg, and post-transplant portal vein flow >250 mL/min/100 g graft weight showed significant differences between the 2 groups. Actual graft volume (GV) and GV/standard liver volume ratio showed no intergroup differences. Multivariate analysis showed that the only significant factor related to a post-transplant SV of >500 mL was the pretransplant SV. Post-transplant platelet counts were significantly increased from the pretransplant values in both Group A and Group B.ConclusionsPretransplant SV is the only significant factor predicting a SV of >500 mL after A2LDLT. However, even in patients with a SV of >500 mL, the platelet count increased significantly from the pretransplant value.     

Transplantation of solid organ recipients shedding Epstein‐Barr virus DNA pre‐transplant: A prospective study

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) poses a significant threat to patient and graft survival post‐transplant. We hypothesized that recipients who shed EBV at transplant had less immunologic control of the virus and hence were more likely to have active EBV infection and disease post‐transplant. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a 5‐year prospective study in primary solid organ transplant recipients. We measured EBV DNA in oral washes and blood samples by quantitative PCR before transplant and periodically thereafter for up to 4 years. Pre‐transplant samples were available from 98 subjects. EBV DNA was detected pre‐transplant in 32 of 95 (34%) and 5 of 93 subjects (5%) in oral wash and blood, respectively. Recipients with and without detectable pre‐transplant EBV DNA were not significantly different demographically and had no significant difference in patient and graft survival (P = .6 for both comparisons) or post‐transplant EBV viremia‐free survival (P = .8). There were no cases of EBV‐related disease or post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in any of the patients with detectable EBV DNA pre‐transplant. In conclusion, detectable EBV DNA pre‐transplant was not associated with differences in patient/graft survival, post‐transplant EBV viremia, or EBV‐related diseases including PTLD.     

Liver Graft Regeneration in Right Lobe Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Optimal portal flow is one of the essentials in adequate liver function, graft regeneration and outcome of the graft after right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). The relations among factors that cause sufficient liver graft regeneration are still unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential predisposing factors that encourage liver graft regeneration after ALDLT. The study population consisted of right lobe ALDLT recipients from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Taiwan. The records, preoperative images, postoperative Doppler ultrasound evaluation and computed tomography studies performed 6 months after transplant were reviewed. The volume of the graft 6 months after transplant divided by the standard liver volume was calculated as the regeneration ratio. The predisposing risk factors were compiled from statistical analyses and included age, recipient body weight, native liver disease, spleen size before transplant, patency of the hepatic venous graft, graft weight-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR), posttransplant portal flow, vascular and biliary complications and rejection. One hundred forty-five recipients were enrolled in this study. The liver graft regeneration ratio was 91.2 ± 12.6% (range, 58–151). The size of the spleen (p = 0.00015), total portal flow and GRWR (p = 0.005) were linearly correlated with the regeneration rate. Patency of the hepatic venous tributary reconstructed was positively correlated to graft regeneration and was statistically significant (p = 0.017). Splenic artery ligation was advantageous to promote liver regeneration in specific cases but splenectomy did not show any positive advantage. Spleen size is a major factor contributing to portal flow and may directly trigger regeneration after transplant. Control of sufficient portal flow and adequate hepatic outflow are important factors in graft regeneration.     

Interleukin‐2 receptor antibody does not reduce rejection risk in low immunological risk or tacrolimus‐treated intermediate immunological risk renal transplant recipients

Aim: The use of interleukin‐2 receptor antibody (IL‐2Ra) induction has been associated with reduced rejection rates in renal transplant recipients. However, the effect of IL‐2Ra induction on graft and patient outcomes in renal transplant recipients with differing immunological risk remains unclear. Methods: Using Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, renal transplant recipients in Australia between 1995 and 2005 were included. Recipients were stratified into low immunological risk (primary grafts with ≤2 human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐mismatches and panel‐reactive antibody (PRA) < 10%) or intermediate immunological risk (subsequent grafts or >2 HLA‐mismatches or PRA > 25%) recipients. Recipients receiving T‐cell depletive induction therapy or steroid and/or calcineurin‐free inhibitor regimens were excluded. Outcomes analysed included the presence of rejection at 6 months, estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 and 5 years, graft and patient survival. Results: 218 of 1220 (18%) low‐risk and 883 of 3204 (28%) intermediate‐risk recipients received IL‐2Ra. In intermediate‐risk recipients, IL‐2Ra induction was associated with a 26% reduction in the incidence of acute rejection; but this benefit was restricted only to recipients initiated on cyclosporine‐based immunosuppressive regimens. In contrast, the use of IL‐2Ra in low‐risk recipients was not associated with reduced rejection risk. There was no association between IL‐2Ra induction and other graft or patient outcomes in both low‐ and intermediate‐risk recipients. Conclusion: This registry analysis suggests that IL‐2Ra induction may be associated with a reduction in rejection risk in cyclosporine‐treated intermediate immunological risk recipients, but not in low‐risk renal transplant recipients.     

Evolution of Causes and Risk Factors for Mortality Post‐Liver Transplant: Results of the NIDDK Long‐Term Follow‐Up Study

Although mortality rates following liver transplantation (LT) are well described, there is a lack of detailed, prospective studies determining patterns of and risk factors for long‐term mortality. We analyzed the multicenter, prospectively obtained The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases LT Database of 798 transplant recipients from 1990 to 1994 (follow‐up 2003). Overall, 327 recipients died. Causes of death >1 year: 28% hepatic, 22% malignancy, 11% cardiovascular, 9% infection, 6% renal failure. Renal‐related death increased dramatically over time. Risk factors for death >1 year (univariate): male gender, age/decade, pre‐LT diabetes, post‐LT diabetes, post‐LT hypertension, post‐LT renal insufficiency, retransplantation >1 year, pre‐LT malignancy, alcoholic disease (ALD) and metabolic liver disease, with similar risks noted for death >5 years. Hepatitis C, retransplantation, post‐LT diabetes, hypertension and renal insufficiency were significant risk factors for liver‐related death. Cardiac deaths associated with age, male gender, ALD, cryptogenic disease, pre‐LT hypertension and post‐LT renal insufficiency. In summary, the leading causes of late deaths after transplant were graft failure, malignancy, cardiovascular disease and renal failure. Older age, diabetes and renal insufficiency identified patients at highest risk of poor survival overall. Diligent management of modifiable post‐LT factors including diabetes, hypertension and renal insufficiency may impact long‐term mortality.     

Dynamics of anti‐human leukocyte antigen antibodies after renal transplantation and their impact on graft outcome

The purpose of this study was to sequentially monitor anti‐HLA antibodies and correlate the results with antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR), graft survival (GS), and graft function (GF). We collected sera from 111 kidney transplant recipients on transplant days 0, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, 180, and 360 and analyzed PRA levels by ELISA. DSAs were analyzed by single‐antigen beads in rejecting kidneys. At pre‐transplant, 79.3% of the patients were non‐sensitized (PRA = 0%) and 20.7% were sensitized (PRA > 1%). After transplant, patients were grouped by PRA profile: no anti‐HLA antibodies pre‐ or post‐transplant (group HLApre?/post?; n = 80); de novo anti‐HLA antibodies post‐transplant (group HLApre?/post+; n = 8); sensitized pre‐transplant/increased PRA post‐transplant (group HLApre+/post↑; n = 9); and sensitized pre‐transplant/decreased PRA post‐transplant (group HLApre+/post↓; n = 14). De novo anti‐HLA antibodies were detected at 7–180 d. In sensitized patients, PRA levels changed within the first 30 d post‐transplant. Incidence of AMR was higher in HLApre?/post+ and HLApre+/post↑ than in HLApre?/post?, and HLApre+/post↓ (p < 0.001) groups. One‐yr death‐censored GS was 36% in group HLApre+/post↑, compared with 98%, 88% and 100% in groups HLApre?/post?, HLApre?/post+, and HLApre+/post↓, respectively (p < 0.001). Excluding first‐year graft losses, GF and GS were similar among the groups. In conclusion, post‐transplant antibody monitoring can identify recipients at higher risk of AMR.     

Pediatric living donor liver transplantation with large‐for‐size left lateral segment grafts

Usage of “large‐for‐size” left lateral segment (LLS) liver grafts in children with high graft to recipient weight ratio (GRWR) is controversial due to concerns about increased recipient complications. During the study period, 77 pediatric living donor liver transplantations (LDLTs) with LLS grafts were performed. We compared recipients with GRWR ≥2.5% (GR‐High = 50) vs GRWR <2.5% (GR‐Low = 27). Median age was higher in the GR‐Low group (40 vs 8 months, P> .0001). Graft (GR‐High: 98%, 98%, 98% vs GR‐Low: 96%, 93%, 93%) and patient (GR‐High: 98%, 98%, 98% vs GR‐Low: 100%, 96%, 96%) survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was similar between groups (P = NS). Overall complications were also similar (34% vs 30%; P = .8). Hepatic artery and portal vein thrombosis following transplantation was not different (P = NS). Delayed abdominal fascia closure was more common in GR‐High patients (17 vs 1; P = .002). Subgroup analysis comparing recipients with GRWR ≥4% (GR‐XL = 20) to GRWR <2.5% (GRWR‐Low = 27) revealed that delayed abdominal fascia closure was more common in the GR‐XL group, but postoperative complications and graft and patient survival were similar. We conclude that pediatric LDLT with large‐for‐size LLS grafts is associated with excellent clinical outcomes. There is an increased need for delayed abdominal closure with no compromise of long‐term outcomes. The use of high GRWR expands the donor pool and improves timely access to the benefits of transplantation without extra risks.     

Long‐term outcome of belatacept therapy in de novo kidney transplant recipients – a case‐match analysis

While belatacept has shown favorable short‐ and midterm results in kidney transplant recipients, only projections exist regarding its potential impact on long‐term outcome. Therefore, we performed a retrospective case‐match analysis of the 14 belatacept patients originally enrolled in the phase II multicenter trial at our center. Fifty six cyclosporine (CyA)‐treated patients were matched according to age at transplantation, first/retransplant, and donor type. Ten years after kidney transplantation, kidney function remained superior in belatacept‐treated patients compared with the CyA control group. Moreover, none of the belatacept‐treated patients had donor‐specific antibodies ≥10 years post‐transplantation compared with 38.5% of tested CyA‐treated subject (0/10 vs. 5/13; P = 0.045). Notably, however, patient and graft survival was virtually identical in both groups (71.4% vs. 71.3%; P = 0.976). In the present single‐center study population, patients treated with belatacept demonstrated a patient and graft survival at 10 years post‐transplant which was comparable to that of similarly selected CNI‐treated patients. Larger studies with sufficient statistical power are necessary to definitively determine long‐term graft survival with belatacept.     

Impact of the new MELD‐based allocation system on waiting list and post‐transplant survival—a cohort analysis using the French national CRISTAL database

Concerns related to equity and efficacy of our previous center‐based allocation system have led us to introduce a patient‐based allocation system called the “Liver Score” that incorporates the model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score. The main objective of this study was to compare waitlist and post‐transplant survivals before and after implementation of the “Liver Score” using the French transplant registry (period before: 2004–2006 and period after: 2007–2012). Patients transplanted during the second period were sicker and had a higher MELD. One‐year waitlist survival (74% vs. 76%; P = 0.8) and 1‐year post‐transplant survival (86.3% vs. 85.7%; P = 0.5) were similar between the 2 periods. Cirrhotic recipients with MELD > 35 had lower 1‐year post‐transplant survival compared to those with MELD <35 (74.8% vs. 86.3%; P < 0.01), mainly explained by their higher intubation and renal failure rates. The MELD showed a poor discriminative capacity. In cirrhotic recipients with MELD > 35, patients presenting 2 or 3 risk factors (dialysis, intubation, or infection) had a lower 1‐year survival compared to those with none of these risk factors (61.2% vs. 92%; P < 0.01). The implementation of the MELD‐based allocation system has led to transplant sicker patients with no impact on waitlist and post‐transplant survivals. Nevertheless, selection of patients with MELD > 35 should be completed to allow safe transplantation.     

Progressive improvement in short‐, medium‐ and long‐term graft survival in kidney transplantation patients in Ireland – a retrospective study

It is often quoted that while short‐term graft survival in kidney transplantation has improved in recent years, it has not translated into a commensurate improvement in long‐term graft survival. We considered whether this was true of the entire experience of the national kidney transplant program in Ireland. A retrospective analysis of the National Kidney Transplant Service (NKTS) database was undertaken to investigate patient and graft survival for all adult first deceased donor kidney transplant recipients in Ireland, 1971–2015. Three thousand two hundred and sixty recipients were included in this study. Kaplan–Meier methods were used to estimate survival at each time period post transplant for the various eras of transplantation. Uncensored graft survival has improved over the course of the program in Ireland at various time points despite risk factors for graft failure progressively increasing over successive eras. For example the graft survival at 15 years post transplant has increased from 10% in 1971–1975 to 45% by 1996–2000. Ireland has experienced a progressive improvement in long‐term graft survival following kidney transplantation. Whether these trends are attributable to biological or nonbiological factors is unclear but likely involves a combination of both.     

Improving monitoring after pancreas transplantation alone: fine‐tuning of an old technique

Graft survival after pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) is significantly poorer than graft survival after simultaneous pancreas kidney (SPK) and is particularly affected by difficulty in monitoring rejection. Exocrine bladder drainage allows assessment of pancreas graft function as urinary amylase (UA). However, standards for UA collection and interpretation are not well defined. In this study, 21 bladder‐drained PTA recipients were monitored with daily values for UA and urine creatinine (Creat) concentration from post‐transplant 10‐mL samples and 24‐h collections. Clinical events were documented and correlated to UA measurements. UA values were found to increase post‐transplant until day 15, and large interpatient variability was noted (median 12 676 IU/L, range 668–60 369 IU/L). A strong correlation was found total 24‐h UA production and spot UA/Creat ratio (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). UA/Creat ratio showed less variation during episodes of impaired renal function; therefore, urinary amylase baseline was defined as the median UA/Creat ratio after day 15. A > 25% decrease of UA predicted 9/13 (69%) events. We conclude that individual baselines should be set once the values have stabilized after 15 d post‐transplant and that spot UA/Creat measures are reliable, patient friendly and indicate potential events after PTA.     

Prednisone‐free maintenance immunosuppression in obese kidney transplant recipients

Obese transplant recipients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) have decreased posttransplant patient and graft survival compared with their nonobese counterparts. At the same time, many prednisone‐related side effects (eg, new‐onset diabetes) are similar to those associated with obesity. Using SRTR data, we studied outcomes associated with prednisone‐free maintenance immunosuppression (rapid discontinuation of prednisone—RDP). Between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2014, 44 635 first transplant recipients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² had a first kidney transplant (28 176 DD; 16 459, LD); 12,994 (29%) were discharged from the hospital on a prednisone‐free protocol. We compared outcomes to those discharged on a protocol incorporating maintenance prednisone (intention‐to‐treat analysis). RDP‐treated obese first DD recipients had significantly better patient survival (HR, 0.88; CI, 0.81‐0.96) and graft survival (HR, 0.93; CI, 0.88‐0.99) compared with their counterparts on maintenance immunosuppression. Although not statistically significant, the same trends were seen for LD recipients. For both DD and LD recipients, there was no difference between groups for death‐censored graft survival, suggesting that the benefit of RDP was due to improved patient survival. Our findings suggest that kidney transplant recipients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² benefit from a protocol that incorporates RDP.