Orthotopic liver transplantation in a patient with carbamyl phosphate synthetase deficiency and cystic fibrosis

A 15-year-old female with carbamyl phosphate synthetase deficiency, cystic fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes underwent orthotopic cadaveric liver transplantation. Metabolic control was maintained during the procedure with nutritional support and the use of intravenous sodium phenylacetate and benzoate. Her postoperative course was complicated by seizures and a transient decline in her pulmonary function tests, which returned to preoperative levels within one year of the transplant. Now, four years post-transplant, her quality of life has dramatically improved. There are only four Canadian centres with paediatric liver transplantation programs. However, expert medical care for adults with inborn error of metabolism is even more limited, suggesting that access to adult medical care is one of the many factors to be considered when liver transplantation is contemplated for patients with metabolically unstable conditions.     

Environmental hypothermia in porcine polytrauma and hemorrhagic shock is safe

ABSTRACT: We have previously demonstrated survival benefit to induced hypothermia in a porcine model of controlled hemorrhagic shock simulating an associated delay to definitive care. In the current study, we wished to evaluate the effects of environmental hypothermia in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock with the addition of polytrauma. Sixteen pigs were randomized to normothermic (39°C, n = 7) or hypothermic (34°C, n = 9) groups. The model included instrumentation, chest injury (captive bolt device), hemorrhage to systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ～50 mmHg, and crush liver injury. Animals received limited fluid resuscitation for a 1-h period with goal SBP of greater than 80 mmHg and ice packs or warming blankets to achieve goal temperatures, followed by full resuscitation with goal SBP of greater than 90 mmHg, adequate urine output, and hemoglobin by protocol for 20 h. Survivors were observed for an additional 24 h with end points including mortality, markers of organ injury, and neurologic function. There were no differences in survival between the groups (mortality = 1/9, hypothermia group vs. 2/7, normothermia group, P = 0.39). Markers of organ injury were elevated in the hypothermia group at 24 h after injury but were identical between groups at the end of the experimental protocol (48 h after injury). There were no noted differences in neurologic function between the two groups. Environmental hypothermia in a model of polytrauma and hemorrhagic shock was not associated with worse outcomes.