Delta MELD as a predictor of early outcome in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation

Background/AimsAn increased post-operative mortality risk has been reported among patients who undergo living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores. In this study, we investigated the effect of MELD score reduction on post-operative outcomes in patients with a high MELD (≥20) score by pre-transplant management.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 386 LDLT cases, and patients were divided into low-MELD (<20, n=293) vs. high-MELD (≥20, n=93) groups according to their MELD score at the time of index hospitalization. Patients in the high-MELD group were managed specifically according to a treatment algorithm in an effort to decrease the MELD score. Patients in the high-MELD group were further divided into 2 subgroups: (1) responders (n=34) to pre-transplant treatment with subsequent reduction of the MELD score by a minimum of 1 point vs. (2) non-responders (n=59), whose MELD score remained unchanged or further increased on the day of LDLT. Responders vs. non-responders were compared according to etiology, demographics, and survival.     

Impact of the MELD allocation after its implementation in liver transplantation

Abstract

Objective . On 16 December 2006, most Eurotransplant countries changed waiting time oriented liver allocation policy to the urgency oriented Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) system. There are limited data on the effects of this policy change within the Eurotransplant community. Patients and methods. A total of 154 patients who had undergone deceased donor liver transplantation (LT) were retrospectively analyzed in three time periods: period A (1-year pre-MELD, n = 42) versus period B (1-year post-MELD, n = 52) versus period C (2 years after MELD implementation, n = 60). Results. The median MELD score at the time of LT increased from 16.3 points in period A to 22.4 and 20.4 in periods B and C, respectively (p = 0.007). Waitlist mortality decreased from 18.4% in period A to 10.4% and 9.4% in periods B and C, respectively (p = 0.015). Three-month mortality did not change significantly (10% each for periods A, B and C). One-year survival was 84% for the MELD 6–19 group compared with 81% in the MELD 20–29 group and 74% in the MELD ≥30 group (p = 0.823). Analyzing MELD score and previously described prognostic scores [i.e. survival after liver transplantation (SALT) score and donor-MELD (D-MELD) score] with regard to 1-year survival, only a high risk SALT score was predictive (p = 0.038). In our center, 2 years after implementation of the MELD system, waitlist mortality decreased, while 90-day mortality did not change significantly. Conclusion. Up to now, only the SALT score proved to be of prognostic relevance post-transplant.     

Effect of hyponatraemia on outcomes following orthotopic liver transplantation

Background: Hyponatraemia increases risk of adverse outcomes following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), but it is unclear whether improvement of pretransplant hyponatraemia ameliorates post‐transplant complications. Aims: To assess impact of pretransplant hyponatraemia on post‐transplant outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 213 patients with cirrhosis who underwent liver transplantation. Patients with serum sodium ≤130 mEq/L immediately before transplantation (‘hyponatraemia at OLT’; n=34) were compared with those who had experienced hyponatraemia but subsequently improved to a serum sodium >130 mEq/L at transplantation (‘resolved hyponatraemia’; n=56) and to those without history of hyponatraemia before transplantation (‘never hyponatraemic’; n=123). Primary endpoint was survival at 180 days post‐OLT. Secondary outcomes included time until discharge alive, complications during hospitalization, length of time ventilated and length of post‐transplant intensive care unit stay. Results: There was no survival difference at 180 days post‐OLT between groups. After transplantation, patients with either hyponatraemia at OLT or resolved hyponatraemia had longer time until discharge alive and had higher rates of delirium, acute renal failure, acute cellular rejection and infection than those who were never hyponatraemic. As compared with patients with hyponatraemia at OLT, those with resolved hyponatraemia were more likely to be discharged alive within 3 weeks, but other outcomes, including survival, did not differ significantly. Conclusions: We conclude that hyponatraemia at any time before liver transplantation is associated with adverse post‐transplant outcome, even when hyponatraemia has resolved.     

Late onset CMV disease presenting as a colonic stricture in a liver transplant recipient

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common opportunistic infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients in the first 6 months after transplant. Late onset CMV infection or disease outside the classical risk period is uncommon and can present with atypical signs and symptoms. Here, we report a case of late onset CMV presenting as a colonic stricture more than 10 years after liver transplantation in the absence of traditional CMV risk factors. We also briefly review CMV colitis presenting as a mass or stricture in SOT recipients.     

Short-term postliver transplant survival after the introduction of MELD scores for organ allocation in the United States.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the introduction of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) for organ allocation may reduce overall graft and patient survival since elevated serum creatinine is an important predictor of poor outcome after liver transplantation. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we determined the outcomes of liver transplantation before (PreMELD group, 1998-February, 2002) and after (MELD group, March-December, 2002, n = 4642) the introduction of MELD score, and examined the impact of MELD scores on the outcome in the United States (US). PATIENTS & METHODS: After excluding patients for a variety of reasons (children, live-donor, fulminant liver failure, patients with hepatoma and others who received extra MELD points, multiple organ transplantation, re-transplantation, incomplete data), there were 3227 patients in the MELD group. These patients were compared with 14,593 patients in the preMELD group after applying similar exclusion criteria. The survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression survival analysis. RESULTS: There was no difference in short-term (up to 10 months) graft and patient survival between MELD and preMELD groups. However, graft and patient survival was lower in patients with MELD score > or = 30 when compared with those with MELD score <30 after adjusting for the confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Introduction of MELD score for organ prioritization has not reduced the short-term survival of patients, but patients with MELD score of 30 or higher had a relatively poor outcome.     

Impact of creatinine values on MELD scores in male and female candidates for liver transplantation

Introduction. A systematic bias against women, resulting from the use of creatinine as a measure of renal function, has been identified in Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD)-based liver allocation. Correction of this bias by calculation of female creatinine levels using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula has been suggested.Material and methods. A cohort of 639 cirrhotic candidates for first-time liver transplantation was studied. Creatinine levels were corrected for gender using the MDRD formula. The accuracy of MELD, with or without creatinine correction, to predict 3- and 6-month mortality after inclusion in a transplant waiting list was estimated.Results. Women exhibited significantly lower creatinine levels, glomerular filtration rate, and MELD scores than men. After creatinine correction, female MELD scores had a mean increase of 1.1 points. Creatinine correction yielded an increase of 3 points in the MELD score in 15.2% of patients, 2 points in 22.4%, and 1 point in 17.6% of patients. The likelihood of death at 3 and 6 months after enrollment in the transplant waiting list was similar in males and females and the likelihood of receiving a transplant, as assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves, was also similar in males and females.Conclusion. The survival or the likelihood of receiving a transplant while on the waiting list were similar in men and women in both pre- and post-MELD eras and creatinine correction did not increase the accuracy of the MELD score in estimating 3- and 6-month mortality in female candidates for liver transplantation.     

终末期肝病模型评价人工肝支持治疗肝衰竭的临床疗效

目的探讨终末期肝病模型（MELD）对人工肝血浆置换（PE）治疗肝衰竭疗效评价的临床应用价值。方法回顾性分析115例肝衰竭患者的临床资料,分别计算人工肝治疗组（PE组）和非人工肝治疗组（对照组）两组患者治疗前后MELD分值,观察90d内的临床转归,并根据MELD评分系统对肝衰竭患者的严重程度以及治疗效果进行量化分析,通过对比病死率及生存时间评价其疗效。结果经过人工肝治疗后1h,MELD分值较治疗前明显下降,但PE组与对照组治疗后30d的MELD分值无统计学差异。MELD分值在〈30,30～40,≥40不同范围内,PE组病死率分别为25%,35%,73%,对照组分别为22%,41%,83%,两组间比较无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。而PE组生存期比对照组延长（P〈0.05）。结论近期随访血浆置换治疗与内科治疗相比,不能明显降低病死率,但可以延长生存期,从而争取时机,等待肝细胞再生恢复或过渡到肝移植。     

Biliary complications following orthotopic liver transplantation: a 10-year audit

Background

Biliary complications following liver transplantation result in major morbidity. We undertook a 10-year audit of the incidence, management and outcomes of post-transplant biliary complications at the New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit.

Methods

Prospectively collected data on 348 consecutive liver transplants performed between February 1998 and October 2008 were reviewed. The minimum follow-up was 6 months.

Results

A total of 309 adult and 39 paediatric transplants were performed over the study period. Of these, 296 (85%) were whole liver grafts and 52 (15%) were partial liver grafts (24 split-liver, eight reduced-size and 20 live-donor grafts). There were 80 biliary complications, which included 63 (18%) strictures and 17 (5%) bile leaks. Partial graft, a paediatric recipient and a Roux-en-Y biliary anastomosis were independent predictors of biliary strictures. Twenty-five (40%) strictures were successfully managed non-operatively and 38 (60%) required surgery (31 biliary reconstructions, three segmental resections and four retransplants). Seven (41%) bile leaks required surgical revision and 10 (59%) were managed non-operatively. There was no mortality related directly to biliary complications.

Conclusions

Biliary complications affected one in five transplant recipients. Paediatric status, partial graft and Roux-en-Y anastomosis were independently associated with the occurrence of biliary strictures. Over half of the affected patients required surgical revision, but no mortality resulted from biliary complications.     

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。     

Impact of MELD on short-term and long-term outcome following liver transplantation: a European perspective

INTRODUCTION: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) has been found to accurately predict pre-transplant mortality and is a valuable system for ranking patients in need of liver transplantation. Its association with post-transplant outcome, however, remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 121 adult patients who were transplanted for non-fulminant liver failure between January 1991 and December 2001. MELD scores were calculated taking variables as close as possible prior to liver transplantation. Patients were stratified into two or three groups using different cut-off values of the MELD score. RESULTS: Indications for liver transplantation were mainly alcoholic liver disease (47.1%) or hepatitis C virus (19.0%). Gender distribution was male 62% vs female 38%. Mean age was 54 years+/-10 years. Mean MELD score was 16+/-6. Follow-up time was 5.4 years (range, 1.6-12.3 years). The use of different MELD cut-off levels yielded no difference in survival at different time points. CONCLUSION: Higher MELD scores did not have a negative impact on patient and graft survival following OLT. Since MELD is good at identifying those urgently in need of liver transplantation and high MELD scores do not appear to have an influence on long-term outcome, use of MELD in liver allocation seems warranted.     

Analysis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia using the pp65 antigenemia assay, the amplicor CMV test, and a semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction test after allogeneic marrow transplantation

A pp65 antigenemia assay for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) (CINAkit Rapid Antigenemia), and a qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for plasma 'PCR-P qual' (Amplicor cytomegalovirus [CMV] test) were performed for 126 samples (blood and plasma) obtained from 18 bone marrow transplant patients, over a 9-month surveillance period. Among those samples, 92 were assayed with a semi-quantitative PCR test for PMNLs 'PCR-L quant.' The number of samples with a positive CMV test for antigenemia and PCR-P qual assays was 20.63% and 12.7%, respectively, whereas the PCR-L quant assay was positive in 48 of the 92 samples assayed (52.17%). The rates of concordance of the results of PCR-P qual and antigenemia, PCR-P qual and PCR-L quant, antigenemia and PCR-L quant were 92%, 65.2% and 66.8%, respectively. The analysis of the results for the 92 specimens tested by all 3 methods showed a rate of concordance of 63% among all methods. Good agreement (kappa=0.72) was found only between pp65 Ag and PCR-P qual assays. Clinical disease correlates with an antigenemia high viral load. Three patients had CMV disease despite preemptive therapy, and all of them had graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). PMNLs-based assays are more efficient in monitoring CMV reactivation, but for high-risk patients with GVHD, more sensitive assays (real-time PCR) must be done.     

Intention to treat survival following liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma within a donor service area

Background. This study aimed to assess the impact of wait times on patient survival following liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a single donor service area. Patients and methods. Patients listed in the New England Organ Bank (NEOB) from 1996 to 2005 for liver transplantation with a diagnosis of HCC were identified from the United Network for Organ Sharing database. The following data were extracted: date of listing, date removed from the wait list, indication for wait list removal, patient death and date of last known follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated from the time of listing for transplant (intention to treat liver transplant survival, ITT OLT) and compared to those calculated from the date of transplant (liver transplant, OLT). Results. There were 63 new registrations to the transplant list during the study period. Sixty-one patients were removed from the waiting list: transplanted 41 (65%), death seven (11%), candidate condition deteriorated/too sick to transplant eight (13%), medically unsuitable one (2%), other one (2%), transferred to another center two (3%), and transplanted at another center one (2%). Three-year survival following liver transplantation for primary liver cancer was 85%. When the results were analyzed using an intention to treat analysis there was a 10–20% decrease in survival rate at every time point due to wait list drop-out. Conclusion. Wait list drop-out adversely affects liver transplant survival in transplant centers served by the NEOB. These data should be considered when recommending transplant versus resection as first line therapy for stage I or II HCC in our region.     

动态MELD评分有助于预测HBV相关慢加急性肝衰竭预后

目的探讨在判断HBV相关慢加急性肝衰竭(HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure,HBV-ACLF)患者预后方面,终末期肝病模型(model for end-stage liver disease,MELD)评分的动态变化是否优于基线MELD评分。方法前瞻性收集2009—2011年在我国4家医院住院治疗的HBV-ACLF患者的临床资料,包括临床表现、实验室检查及转归等,研究MELD评分动态变化与转归的关系。结果①纳入的82例90 d病死率为37.80%。死亡组患者基线MELD评分为(25.50±4.77)分,与存活组[(23.72±4.68)分]相比,差异无统计学意义(P=0.101)。但是从入组第7天开始,死亡组MELD评分逐渐升高,存活组MELD评分逐渐下降,此后各时间点2组MELD评分相比差异均有统计学意义。②低危组(基线MELD评分≤23分者)从第14天开始,存活患者MELD评分显著低于死亡患者[(16.04±4.00)分vs(29.39±12.30)分,P<0.05],高危组(基线MELD评分>23分者)从第7天开始,存活患者MELD评分显著低于死亡患者[(22.38±4.91)分vs(28.92±6.76)分,P=0.001],并且随着时间推移,差距逐渐增加。结论判断HBV-ACLF的预后应在基线MELD评分基础上,注意其动态变化,这将有助于提高预测的准确性。     

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.     

Use of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score to predict 1-year survival of Japanese patients with cirrhosis and to determine who will benefit from living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Consideration of the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis is important when determining the appropriate timing of liver transplantation. Especially in Japan, where 99% of liver transplants are from living donors, timing is very important not only for the patient but also for the family, who need time to consider the various factors involved in living donations. METHODS: To clarify the applicability of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score in Japanese patients with cirrhosis, changes in the MELD score over 24 months were reviewed in 79 patients with cirrhosis who subsequently died of liver failure (n=33) or who survived 24 months (n=46). All patients had Child class B or C cirrhosis at the start of follow-up. We also compared their survival with that of 30 patients treated by living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in our institute to determine the proper timing of transplantation in patients with cirrhosis. RESULTS: Significant stratification of survival curves was observed for MELD scores of <12, 12-15, 15-18, and >18 (P=0.0018). A significant survival benefit of LDLT was observed in patients with MELD score >or=15 (P=0.0181), and significantly more risk with transplantation was observed in those with MELD score <15 compared with that of patients in whom the disease followed its natural course (P=0.0168). CONCLUSIONS: MELD score is useful for predicting 1-year survival in Japanese patients with cirrhosis. MELD scores of 15 had discriminatory value for indicating a survival benefit to be gained by liver transplantation and thus can be used to help patients and their families by identifying patients who would benefit from LDLT.     

Pre-transplant MELD and sodium MELD scores are poor predictors of graft failure and mortality after liver transplantation

Background  

Incorporating serum sodium concentrations into the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score may increase its sensitivity for identifying priority patients for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We, therefore, evaluated and compared the ability of the sodium MELD and MELD scores to predict graft and patient survival after OLT.     

A follow up of 53 adult patients alive beyond 2 years following liver transplantation

Although hepatic transplantation is now a well-accepted treatment modality for end-stage liver diseases there are little detailed data on the clinical profile of patients who survive beyond 1 year following transplantation. The aim of this study was to develop a cross-sectional profile on 53 adults who have survived beyond 2 years following liver transplantation. These patients have been followed for a mean of 43.5 months (range 24–84) since the time of transplant. Nineteen patients had persisting liver enzyme abnormalities, 11 due to chronic viral hepatitis (seven hepatitis C virus, three hepatitis B virus), four due to biliary disease. Two had post severe rejection, one steatosis secondary to obesity while in one the aetiology was unclear. Nineteen (36%) of patients required anti-hypertensive medications. The median doses of Prednisone, Cyclosporin and Imuran were 7.5, 300 and 50 mg daily, respectively. The mean serum creatinine was 117 ± 27 μmol/L. However 22 (41%) had an elevated serum creatinine (> 120 μmol/L) but in only seven was the serum creatinine > 150 μmol/L. Fourteen (26%) of patients were obese (body mass index > 30) whilst 46% had a higher than recommended serum cholesterol (mean level 5.6 ± 1.5 μmol/L). There has only been one case of internal malignancy (lymphoma) although 19 patients attend regular dermatological review for skin cancer surveillance. Forty-eight patients had a Karnofsky Score > 80. In conclusion, the vast majority of these patients have excellent clinical function but some caution is required with respect to renal function, hypertension, obesity and mild hypercholesterolaemia. Persisting liver abnormalities in 37% of patients highlight the need for continued close monitoring in the long term.