Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt following liver transplantation: can outcomes be predicted?

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been fairly effective in managing portal hypertension in the setting of cirrhosis. The aim is to study the safety and efficacy of TIPS in liver transplant (LT) recipients. Fifteen patients underwent TIPS insertion following LT. Indications were refractory ascites (12), hepatic hydrothorax (2), and bleeding esophageal varices (1). Seven patients (46.6%) had complete (C) resolution of ascites, while eight (53.4%) had partial or no (PN) resolution. Portal pressure and portal-right atrial pressure gradients post-TIPS were comparable. Ammonia levels were significantly higher in the PN group. Encephalopathy occurred in two patients (PN group). Four patients required re-transplantation and seven patients expired. The five-yr survival probability was 60.0% for the C group and 66.7% for the PN group. Currently, six patients are alive without clinical evidence of ascites. Two patients are alive but require re-transplantation. TIPS is a safe and effective method to control refractory ascites after LT. Portal pressure changes did not seem to correlate with resolution of ascites. Earlier allograft dysfunction is more likely with PN resolution of ascites after TIPS, and thus early re-transplantation should be considered. Re-transplantation in the context of organ dysfunction and graft failure should be a priority when considering TIPS.     

Pancreatic cancer and predictors of survival: comparing the CA 19-9/bilirubin ratio with the McGill Brisbane Symptom Score

Introduction

Few tools predict survival from pancreatic cancer (PAC). The McGill Brisbane Symptom Score (MBSS) based on symptoms at presentation (weight loss, pain, jaundice and smoking) was recently validated. The present study compares the ability of four strategies to predict 9-month survival: MBSS, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) alone, CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio and a combination of MBSS and the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio.

Methodology

A retrospective review of 133 patients diagnosed with PAC between 2005 and 2011 was performed. Survival was determined from the Quebec civil registry. Blood CA 19-9 and bilirubin values were collected (n = 52) at the time of diagnosis. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine a cutoff for optimal test characteristics of CA 19-9 and CA19-9-to-total bilirubin ratio in predicting survival at 9 months. Predictive characteristics were then calculated for the four strategies.

Results

Of the four strategies, the one with the greatest negative predictive value was the MBSS: negative predictive value (NPV) was 90.2% (76.9–97.3%) and the positive likelihood ratio (LR) was the greatest. The ability of CA 19-9 levels alone, at baseline, to predict survival was low. For the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio, the test characteristics improved but remained non-significant. The best performing strategy according to likelihood ratios was the combined MBSS and CA19-9 to the bilirubin ratio.

Conclusion

CA19-9 levels and the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio are poor predictors of survival for PAC, whereas the MBSS is a far better predictor, confirming its clinical value. By adding the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio to the MBSS the predictive characteristics improved.     

Use of a colorimetric carbon dioxide sensor for nasoenteric feeding tube placement in critical care patients compared with clinical methods and radiography.

BACKGROUND: Misplacement of nasoenteric feeding tubes (NFTs) into the airway instead of the esophagus leads to complications. Healthcare providers have relied on clinical methods, devices such as carbon dioxide (CO(2)) sensors, and radiography (the gold standard) to evaluate NFT placements. Most institutions include radiographs in their protocols for NFT insertions, making it expensive and cumbersome. A new commercial CO(2) sensor was developed to assist in these procedures, and the authors evaluated its use. METHODS: Nurses performing NFT placement completed questionnaires following each procedure. The nurses recorded the clinical methods used to determine proper insertion and, based on them, where the NFT was located. Nurses then evaluated NFT insertion with the CO(2) sensor; from the readings, they recorded where the tube was located. Confirmation of tube placement was performed radiographically. RESULTS: The authors evaluated 424 NFT insertions. Of these, 15 (3.5%) were incorrectly placed into the airway, and 409 were correctly placed into the esophagus. The CO(2) sensor correctly assessed NFT placement in 421 (99%) of the 424 cases. The authors found the device to have a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 99.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The CO(2) sensor is a helpful bedside tool to use in conjunction with clinical methods during NFT insertions. However, there is insufficient evidence to abandon the use of radiographs to confirm tube placement.     

Epidemiology of alcoholic liver disease

Alcohol is one of the main causes of end-stage liver disease worldwide, and alcoholic liver disease is the second most common reason for liver transplantation in the United States. Beginning in the 1970s, there was a gradual decline in alcoholic cirrhosis-related mortality in many countries. However, in the past few years, alcoholic liver disease mortality rates in several countries have stabilized or started to increase. There are significant ethnic and gender differences in alcoholic cirrhosis-related mortality rates. Furthermore, alcohol use increases the risk for liver disease in those infected with hepatitis C. A better understanding of the epidemiology of alcoholic liver disease will allow for improved diagnosis and management of this common problem.