Blood loss during liver transplantation (OLTx) is a common consequence of pre-existing abnormalities of the hemostatic system,portal hypertension with multiple collateral vessels,portal vein thrombosis,previous abdomi...Blood loss during liver transplantation (OLTx) is a common consequence of pre-existing abnormalities of the hemostatic system,portal hypertension with multiple collateral vessels,portal vein thrombosis,previous abdominal surgery,splenomegaly,and poor "functional" recovery of the new liver.The intrinsic coagulopathic features of end stage cirrhosis along with surgical technical difficulties make transfusion-free liver transplantation a major challenge,and,despite the improvements in understanding of intraoperative coagulation profiles and strategies to control blood loss,the requirements for blood or blood products remains high.The impact of blood transfusion has been shown to be significant and independent of other well-known predictors of posttransplant-outcome.Negative effects on immunomodulation and an increased risk of postoperative complications and mortality have been repeatedly demonstrated.Isovolemic hemodilution,the extensive utilization of thromboelastogram and the use of autotransfusion devices are among the commonly adopted procedures to limit the amount of blood transfusion.The use of intraoperative blood salvage and autologous blood transfusion should still be considered an important method to reduce the need for allogenic blood and the associated complications.In this article we report on the common preoperative and intraoperative factors contributing to blood loss,intraoperative transfusion practices,anesthesiologic and surgical strategies to prevent blood loss,and on intraoperative blood salvaging techniques and autologous blood transfusion.Even though the advances in surgical technique and anesthetic management,as well as a better understanding of the risk factors,have resulted in a steady decrease in intraoperative bleeding,most patients still bleed extensively.Blood transfusion therapy is still a critical feature during OLTx and various studies have shown a large variability in the use of blood products among different centers and even among individual anesthesiologists within the same center.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common malignancies leading to high mortality rates in the general population; in cirrhotic patients, it is the primary cause of death. The diagnosis is usually delayed...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common malignancies leading to high mortality rates in the general population; in cirrhotic patients, it is the primary cause of death. The diagnosis is usually delayed in spite of at-risk population screening recommendations, i.e., patients infected with hepatitis B or C virus. Hepatocarcinogenesis hinges on a great number of genetic and molecular abnormalities that lead to tumor angiogenesis and foster their dissemination potential. The diagnosis is mainly based on imaging studies such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance, in which lesions present a characteristic classical pattern of early arterial enhancement followed by contrast medium "washout" in late venous phase. On occasion, when imaging studies are not conclusive, biopsy of the lesion must be performed to establish the diagnosis. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging method is the most frequently used worldwide and recommended by the international guidelines of HCC management. Currently available treatments include tumor resection, liver transplant, sorafenib and locoregional therapies(alcoholization, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization). The prognosis of hepatocarcinoma is determined according to the lesion's stage and in cirrhotic patients, on residual liver function. Curative treatments, such as liver transplant, are sought in patients diagnosed in early stages; patients in more advanced stages, were not greatly benefitted by chemotherapy in terms of survival until the advent of target molecules such as sorafenib.展开更多
AIM:To analyze whether high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation is an effective bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From January 2007 to December 2010,49 consecutive HCC pa...AIM:To analyze whether high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation is an effective bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From January 2007 to December 2010,49 consecutive HCC patients were listed for liver transplantation(UCSF criteria).The median waiting time for transplantation was 9.5 mo.Twenty-nine patients received transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) as a bringing therapy and 16 patients received no treatment before transplantation.Five patients received HIFU ablation as a bridging therapy.Another five patients with the same tumor staging(within the UCSF criteria) who received HIFU ablation but not on the transplant list were included for comparison.Patients were comparable in terms of Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease scores,tumor size and number,and cause of cirrhosis.RESULTS:The HIFU group and TACE group showed no difference in terms of tumor size and tumor number.One patient in the HIFU group and no patient in the TACE group had gross ascites.The median hospital stay was 1 d(range,1-21 d) in the TACE group and two days(range,1-9 d) in the HIFU group(P < 0.000).No HIFU-related complication occurred.In the HIFU group,nine patients(90%) had complete response and one patient(10%) had partial response to the treatment.In the TACE group,only one patient(3%) had response to the treatment while 14 patients(48%) had stable disease and 14 patients(48%) had progressive disease(P = 0.00).Seven patients in the TACE group and no patient in the HIFU group dropped out from the transplant waiting list(P = 0.559).CONCLUSION:HIFU ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of HCC for patients with advanced cirrhosis.It may reduce the drop-out rate of liver transplant candidate.展开更多
Hepatoblastoma(HB) is the most common primary liver tumor in children and accounts for two-thirds of all malignant liver neoplasms in the pediatric population. For patients with advanced HB(unresectable or unresponsiv...Hepatoblastoma(HB) is the most common primary liver tumor in children and accounts for two-thirds of all malignant liver neoplasms in the pediatric population. For patients with advanced HB(unresectable or unresponsive to chemotherapy), combined treatment with chemotherapy and liver transplantation is an excellent option. The etiology of HB is mostly obscure because of its extreme rarity although some inherited syndromes and very low birth weight have been associated with it. The prognosis for children with HB has significantly improved in the past three decades thanks to advancements in chemotherapy, surgical resection and postoperative care. In 2002 a surgical staging system called pretreatment extent of disease(PRETEXT) was designed to allow a universal, multidisciplinary approach to patients with HB. Between one-third to two-thirds of patients initially present with unresectable tumors or distant metastases, but up to 85% of these tumors become operable after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with PRETEXT categories 1, 2, and some 3 are referred for neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection with the goal of complete tumor removal. Classic treatments regimens include a combination of cisplatin, fluorouracil, and vincristine or cisplatin and doxorubicin. Liver transplantation is the only treatment option for unresectable HB. In 2010 the pediatric end-stage liver disease, a pediatric-specific scoring system that determines a patient's ranking on the liver transplant list, began to award additional "exception" points for patients with HB. We analyzed the Standard Transplant Analysis and Research dataset to assess the impact of changes in exception point criteria for HB on outcomes after liver transplantation at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. We found that patients who were listed for transplantation with current HB exception criteria experienced a shorter waitlist time but survival was similar between the two eras.展开更多
AIM To investigate blood cultures of deceased donors and report the confirmed transmission of bacterial infection from donors to liver recipients.METHODS We retrospectively studied the results of blood cultures among ...AIM To investigate blood cultures of deceased donors and report the confirmed transmission of bacterial infection from donors to liver recipients.METHODS We retrospectively studied the results of blood cultures among our donation after cardiac death(DCD) donors and calculated the donor-derived bacterial infection rates among liver recipients. Study participants underwent liver transplantation between January 1, 2010 and February 1, 2017. The study involved a total of 67 recipients of liver grafts from 67 DCD donors. We extracted the data of donors' and patients' characteristics, culture results and clinical outcomes, especially the post-transplant complications in liver recipients, from electronic medical records. We analyzed the characteristics of the donors and the corresponding liver recipients with emphasis put on donor-derived infections.RESULTS Head trauma was the most common origin of death among our 67 DCD donors(46.3%). Blood taken prior to the procurement operation was cultured for 53 of the donors, with 17 episodes of bloodstream infections developing from 13 donors. The predominant organism isolated from the blood of donors was Gram-positive bacteria(70.6%). Only three(4.5%) of 67 liver recipients developed confirmed donor-derived bacterial infections,with two isolates of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and one isolate of multidrug-resistant Enterobacter aerogenes. The liver recipients with donorderived infections showed relation to higher crude mortality and graft loss rates(33.3% each) within 3 mo post transplantation, as compared to those without donor-derived infections(9.4% and 4.7%, respectively). All three liver recipients received appropriate antimicrobial therapy.CONCLUSION Liver recipients have high occurrence of donor-derived infections. The liver recipients with donor-derived multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections can have good outcome if appropriate antimicrobial therapy is given.展开更多
Chronic hepatitis B is a global health problem that leads to development of various complications,such as cirrhosis,liver cancer,and liver failure requiring liver transplantation.The recurrence of hepatitis B virus (H...Chronic hepatitis B is a global health problem that leads to development of various complications,such as cirrhosis,liver cancer,and liver failure requiring liver transplantation.The recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) post-liver transplantation is a major cause of allograft dysfunction,cirrhosis of the allograft,and graft failure.Patients with high viral load at the time of transplantation,hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)positivity,or those with a history of anti-viral drug resistance are considered as high-risk for recurrent HBV post-liver transplantation,while patients with low viral load,including HBeAg negative status,acute liver failure,and hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-infection are considered to be at low-risk for recurrent HBV post-liver transplantation.Antivirals for patients awaiting liver transplantation(LT) cause suppression of HBV replication and reduce the risk of recurrent HBV infection of the allograft and,therefore,all HBV patients with decompensated cirrhosis should be treated with potent antivirals with high genetic barrier to resistance (entecavir or tenofovir) prior to liver transplantation.Prevention of post-liver transplantation recurrence should be done using a combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and antivirals in patients at high risk of recurrence.Low dose HBIG,HBIG-free protocols,and monoprophylaxis with high potency antivirals can still be considered in patients at low risk of recurrence.Even,marginal grafts from anti-HBc positive donors can be safely used in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative,preferably in anti-hepatitis B core (HBc)/anti-hepatitis B surface (HBs) positive recipients.In this article,we aim to review the mechanisms and risk factors of HBV recurrence post-LT in addition to the various treatment strategies proposed for the prevention of recurrent HBV infection展开更多
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) associated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) incidence is increasing worldwide, paralleling the obesity epidemic. Although most cases are associated with cirrhosis, HCC can occur w...Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) associated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) incidence is increasing worldwide, paralleling the obesity epidemic. Although most cases are associated with cirrhosis, HCC can occur without cirrhosis in NAFLD. Diabetes and obesity are associated risk factors for HCC in patients. Given the sheer magnitude of the underlying risk factors(diabetes, obesity, non-cirrhotic NAFLD) screening for HCC in the non-cirrhotic population is not recommended. Optimal screening strategies in NAFLD cirrhosis are not completely elucidated with Ultrasound having significant limitations in detection of liver lesions in the presence of obesity and steatosis. Consequently NAFLD-HCC is more often diagnosed at a later stage with larger tumors and reduced opportunities for curative treatments as opposed to HCC in other causes of cirrhosis. When HCC is found at a curative stage treatments including liver transplantation, resection and loco-regional therapies are associated with good results similar to that seen in HCV-HCC. Future strategies under study include the use of chemopreventive and antioxidant agents to reduce development of cirrhosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). Strategies to reverse NASH via weight loss, control of associated conditions like diabetes are key strategies in reducing the increasing incidence of NASH-HCC. Novel therapeutic agents for NASH are in trials and if successful in achieving reversal of NASH will be an important strategy in reducing NAFLD-HCC.展开更多
The introduction of tacrolimus in clinical practice has improved patient survival after organ transplant.However,despite the long use of tacrolimus in clinical practice,the best way to use this agent is still a matter...The introduction of tacrolimus in clinical practice has improved patient survival after organ transplant.However,despite the long use of tacrolimus in clinical practice,the best way to use this agent is still a matter of intense debate.The start of the genomic era has generated new research areas,such as pharmacogenetics,which studies the variability of drug response in relation to the genetic factors involved in the processes responsible for the pharmacokinetics and/or the action mechanism of a drug in the body.This variability seems to be correlated with the presence of genetic polymorphisms.Genotyping is an attractive option especially for the initiation of the dosing of tacrolimus;also,unlike phenotypic tests,the genotype is a stable characteristic that needs to be determined only once for any given gene.However,prospective clinical studies must show that genotype determination before transplantation allows for better use of a given drug and improves the safety and clinical efficacy of that medication.At present,research has been able to reliably show that the CYP3A5 genotype,but not the CYP3A4 or ABCB1 ones,can modify the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus.However,it has not been possible to incontrovertibly show that the corresponding changes in the pharmacokinetic profile are linked with different patient outcomes regarding tacrolimus efficacy and toxicity.For these reasons,pharmacogenetics and individualized medicine remain a fascinating area for further study and may ultimately become the face of future medical practice and drug dosing.展开更多
Historically,patients undergoing liver transplantation were left intubated and extubated in the intensive care unit(ICU)after a period of recovery.Proponents of this practice argued that these patients were critically...Historically,patients undergoing liver transplantation were left intubated and extubated in the intensive care unit(ICU)after a period of recovery.Proponents of this practice argued that these patients were critically ill andneed time to be properly optimized from a physiological and pain standpoint prior to extubation.Recently,there has been a growing movement toward early extubation in transplant centers worldwide.Initially fueled by research into early extubation following cardiac surgery,extubation in the operating room or soon after arrival to the ICU,has been shown to be safe with proper patient selection.Additionally,as experience at determining appropriate candidates has improved,some institutions have developed systems to allow select patients to bypass the ICU entirely and be admitted to the surgical ward after transplant.We discuss the history of early extubation and the arguments in favor and against fast track anesthesia.We also described our practice of fast track anesthesia at Mayo Clinic Florida,in which,we extubate approximately 60%of our patients in the operating room and send them to the surgical ward after a period of time in the post anesthesia recovery unit.展开更多
Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease. Accurate imaging evaluation of the transplanted patient is critical for ensuring that the limited donor liver is functioning a...Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease. Accurate imaging evaluation of the transplanted patient is critical for ensuring that the limited donor liver is functioning appropriately. Ultrasound contrast agents(UCAs), in combination with contrastspecific imaging techniques, are increasingly accepted in clinical use for the assessment of the hepatic vasculature, bile ducts and liver parenchyma in pre-, intra- and posttransplant patients. We describe UCAs, their technical requirements, the recommended clinical indications, image interpretation and the limitations for contrastenhanced ultrasound applications in liver transplantation.展开更多
Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is a potent human pathogen and is one of the main causes of chronic hepatitis round the world. The present review describes the evidencebased consensus on the diagnosis, prevention and managemen...Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is a potent human pathogen and is one of the main causes of chronic hepatitis round the world. The present review describes the evidencebased consensus on the diagnosis, prevention and management of HCV disease. Various techniques, for the detection of anti-HCV immunoglobulin G immunoassays, detection of HCV RNA by identifying virus-specific molecules nucleic acid testings, recognition of core antigen for diagnosis of HCV, quantitative antigenassay, have been used to detect HCV RNA and core antigen. Advanced technologies such as nanoparticlebased diagnostic assays, loop-mediated isothermal amplification and aptamers and Ortho trak-C assay have also come to the front that provides best detection results with greater ease and specificity for detection of HCV. It is of immense importance to prevent this infection especially among the sexual partners, injecting drug users, mother-to-infant transmission of HCV, household contact, healthcare workers and people who get tattoos and piercing on their skin. Management of this infection is intended to eradicate it out of the body of patients. Management includes examining the treatment(efficacy and protection), assessment of hepatic condition before commencing therapy, controlling the parameters upon which dual and triple therapies work, monitoring the body after treatment and adjusting the co-factors. Examining the treatment in some special groups of people(HIV/HCV co-infected, hemodialysis patients, renal transplanted patients).展开更多
BACKGROUND Portal vein thrombosis(PVT) after liver transplantation(LT) is an uncommon complication with potential for significant morbidity and mortality that transplant providers should be cognizant of.Recognizing su...BACKGROUND Portal vein thrombosis(PVT) after liver transplantation(LT) is an uncommon complication with potential for significant morbidity and mortality that transplant providers should be cognizant of.Recognizing subtle changes in postoperative ultrasounds that could herald but do not definitively diagnose PVT is paramount.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old female with a history of alcohol-related cirrhosis presented with painless jaundice and received a deceased donor orthotopic liver transplant.On the first two days post-operatively,her liver Doppler ultrasounds showed a patent portal vein,increased hepatic arterial diastolic flows,and reduced hepatic arterial resistive indices.She was asymptomatic with improving labs.On postoperative day three,her resistive indices declined further,and computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large extra-hepatic PVT.The patient then underwent emergent percutaneous venography with tissue plasminogen activator administration,angioplasty,and stent placement.Aspirin was started to prevent stent thrombosis.Follow-up ultrasounds showed a patent portal vein and improved hepatic arterial resistive indices.Her graft function improved to normal by discharge.Although decreased hepatic artery resistive indices and increased diastolic flows on ultrasound are often associated with hepatic arterial stenosis post-LT,PVT can also cause these findings.CONCLUSION Reduced hepatic arterial resistive indices on ultrasound can signify PVT post-LT,and thrombolysis,angioplasty,and stent placement are efficacious treatments.展开更多
Liver transplantation(LT) is associated with a 2 to7 fold higher, age and gender adjusted, risk of de novo malignancy. The overall incidence of de novo malignancy post LT ranges from 2.2% to 26%, and 5 and 10 years in...Liver transplantation(LT) is associated with a 2 to7 fold higher, age and gender adjusted, risk of de novo malignancy. The overall incidence of de novo malignancy post LT ranges from 2.2% to 26%, and 5 and 10 years incidence rates are estimated at 10% to 14.6% and 20% to 32%, respectively. The main risk factors for de novo malignancy include immunosuppression with impaired immunosurveillance, and a number of patient factors which include; age, latent oncogenic viral infections, tobacco and alcohol use history, and underlying liver disease. The most common cancers after LT are non-melanoma skin cancers, accounting for approximately 37% of de novo malignancies, with a noted increase in the ratio of squamous to basal cell cancers. While these types of skin cancer do not impact patient survival, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders and solid organ cancer, accounting for 25% and 48% of malignancies, are associated with increased mortality. Patients developing these types of cancer are diagnosed at more advanced stages, and their cancers behave more aggressively compared with the general population. Patients undergoing LT for primary sclerosing cholangitis(particularly with inflammatory bowel disease) and alcoholic liver disease have high rates of malignancies compared with patients undergoing LT for other indications. These populations are at particular risk for gastrointestinal and aerodigestive cancers respectively. Counseling smoking cessation, skin protection from sun exposure and routine clinical follow-up are the current approach in practice. There are no standardized surveillance protocol, but available data suggests that regimented surveillance strategies are needed and capable of yielding cancer diagnosis at earlier stages with better resulting survival. Evidence-based strategies are needed to guide optimal surveillance and safe minimization of immunosuppression.展开更多
Nephropathy secondary to BK virus, a member of the Papoviridae family of viruses, has been recognized for some time as an important cause of allograft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients. In recent times, BK ne...Nephropathy secondary to BK virus, a member of the Papoviridae family of viruses, has been recognized for some time as an important cause of allograft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients. In recent times, BK nephropathy(BKN) of the native kidneys has being increasingly recognized as a cause of chronic kidney disease in patients with solid organ transplants, bone marrow transplants and in patients with other clinical entities associated with immunosuppression. In such patients renal dysfunction is often attributed to other factors including nephrotoxicity of medications used to prevent rejection of the transplanted organs. Renal biopsy is required for the diagnosis of BKN. Quantitation of the BK viral load in blood and urine are surrogate diagnostic methods. The treatment of BKN is based on reduction of the immunosuppressive medications. Several compounds have shown antiviral activity, but have not consistently shown to have beneficial effects in BKN. In addition to BKN, BK viral infection can cause severe urinary bladder cystitis, ureteritis and urinary tract obstruction as well as manifestations in other organ systems including the central nervous system, the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system and the hematopoietic system. BK viral infection has also been implicated in tumorigenesis. The spectrum of clinical manifestations from BK infection and infection from other members of the Papoviridae family is widening. Prevention and treatment of BK infection and infections from other Papovaviruses are subjects of intense research.展开更多
Cholecystectomy is a common procedure.Abnormalities in the anatomy of the biliary system are common but an abnormal location of the gallbladder is much rarer.Despite frequent pre-operative imaging,the aberrant locatio...Cholecystectomy is a common procedure.Abnormalities in the anatomy of the biliary system are common but an abnormal location of the gallbladder is much rarer.Despite frequent pre-operative imaging,the aberrant location of the gallbladder is commonly discovered at surgery.This article presents a case of a patient with the gallbladder located to the left of the falciform ligament in the absence of situs inversus totalis that presented with right upper quadrant pain.A laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and it was noted that the cystic duct originated from the right side.The presence of a left sided gall bladder is often associated with various biliary,portal venous and other anomalies that might lead to intra-operative injuries.The spectrum of unusual positions and anatomical gallbladder abnormalities is reviewed in order to facilitate elective and emergent cholecystectomy as well as other hepatobiliary procedures.With proper identification of the anatomy,minimally invasive approaches are still considered safe.展开更多
Ischaemia-reperfusion injury(IRI) is the leading cause of injury seen in the liver following transplantation. IRI also causes injury following liver surgery and haemodynamic shock. The first cells within the liver to ...Ischaemia-reperfusion injury(IRI) is the leading cause of injury seen in the liver following transplantation. IRI also causes injury following liver surgery and haemodynamic shock. The first cells within the liver to be injured by IRI are the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells(LSEC). Recent evidence suggests that LSEC coordinate and regulates the livers response to a variety of injuries. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the cyto-protective cellular process of autophagy is a key regulator of IRI. In particular LSEC autophagy may be an essential gatekeeper to the development of IRI. The recent availability of liver perfusion devices has allowed for the therapeutic targeting of autophagy to reduce IRI. In particular normothermic machine liver perfusion(NMP-L) allow the delivery of pharmacological agents to donor livers whilst maintaining physiological temperature and hepatic flow rates. In this review we summarise the current understanding of endothelial autophagy and how this may be manipulated during NMP-L to reduce liver IRI.展开更多
文摘Blood loss during liver transplantation (OLTx) is a common consequence of pre-existing abnormalities of the hemostatic system,portal hypertension with multiple collateral vessels,portal vein thrombosis,previous abdominal surgery,splenomegaly,and poor "functional" recovery of the new liver.The intrinsic coagulopathic features of end stage cirrhosis along with surgical technical difficulties make transfusion-free liver transplantation a major challenge,and,despite the improvements in understanding of intraoperative coagulation profiles and strategies to control blood loss,the requirements for blood or blood products remains high.The impact of blood transfusion has been shown to be significant and independent of other well-known predictors of posttransplant-outcome.Negative effects on immunomodulation and an increased risk of postoperative complications and mortality have been repeatedly demonstrated.Isovolemic hemodilution,the extensive utilization of thromboelastogram and the use of autotransfusion devices are among the commonly adopted procedures to limit the amount of blood transfusion.The use of intraoperative blood salvage and autologous blood transfusion should still be considered an important method to reduce the need for allogenic blood and the associated complications.In this article we report on the common preoperative and intraoperative factors contributing to blood loss,intraoperative transfusion practices,anesthesiologic and surgical strategies to prevent blood loss,and on intraoperative blood salvaging techniques and autologous blood transfusion.Even though the advances in surgical technique and anesthetic management,as well as a better understanding of the risk factors,have resulted in a steady decrease in intraoperative bleeding,most patients still bleed extensively.Blood transfusion therapy is still a critical feature during OLTx and various studies have shown a large variability in the use of blood products among different centers and even among individual anesthesiologists within the same center.
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common malignancies leading to high mortality rates in the general population; in cirrhotic patients, it is the primary cause of death. The diagnosis is usually delayed in spite of at-risk population screening recommendations, i.e., patients infected with hepatitis B or C virus. Hepatocarcinogenesis hinges on a great number of genetic and molecular abnormalities that lead to tumor angiogenesis and foster their dissemination potential. The diagnosis is mainly based on imaging studies such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance, in which lesions present a characteristic classical pattern of early arterial enhancement followed by contrast medium "washout" in late venous phase. On occasion, when imaging studies are not conclusive, biopsy of the lesion must be performed to establish the diagnosis. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging method is the most frequently used worldwide and recommended by the international guidelines of HCC management. Currently available treatments include tumor resection, liver transplant, sorafenib and locoregional therapies(alcoholization, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization). The prognosis of hepatocarcinoma is determined according to the lesion's stage and in cirrhotic patients, on residual liver function. Curative treatments, such as liver transplant, are sought in patients diagnosed in early stages; patients in more advanced stages, were not greatly benefitted by chemotherapy in terms of survival until the advent of target molecules such as sorafenib.
文摘AIM:To analyze whether high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation is an effective bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From January 2007 to December 2010,49 consecutive HCC patients were listed for liver transplantation(UCSF criteria).The median waiting time for transplantation was 9.5 mo.Twenty-nine patients received transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) as a bringing therapy and 16 patients received no treatment before transplantation.Five patients received HIFU ablation as a bridging therapy.Another five patients with the same tumor staging(within the UCSF criteria) who received HIFU ablation but not on the transplant list were included for comparison.Patients were comparable in terms of Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease scores,tumor size and number,and cause of cirrhosis.RESULTS:The HIFU group and TACE group showed no difference in terms of tumor size and tumor number.One patient in the HIFU group and no patient in the TACE group had gross ascites.The median hospital stay was 1 d(range,1-21 d) in the TACE group and two days(range,1-9 d) in the HIFU group(P < 0.000).No HIFU-related complication occurred.In the HIFU group,nine patients(90%) had complete response and one patient(10%) had partial response to the treatment.In the TACE group,only one patient(3%) had response to the treatment while 14 patients(48%) had stable disease and 14 patients(48%) had progressive disease(P = 0.00).Seven patients in the TACE group and no patient in the HIFU group dropped out from the transplant waiting list(P = 0.559).CONCLUSION:HIFU ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of HCC for patients with advanced cirrhosis.It may reduce the drop-out rate of liver transplant candidate.
文摘Hepatoblastoma(HB) is the most common primary liver tumor in children and accounts for two-thirds of all malignant liver neoplasms in the pediatric population. For patients with advanced HB(unresectable or unresponsive to chemotherapy), combined treatment with chemotherapy and liver transplantation is an excellent option. The etiology of HB is mostly obscure because of its extreme rarity although some inherited syndromes and very low birth weight have been associated with it. The prognosis for children with HB has significantly improved in the past three decades thanks to advancements in chemotherapy, surgical resection and postoperative care. In 2002 a surgical staging system called pretreatment extent of disease(PRETEXT) was designed to allow a universal, multidisciplinary approach to patients with HB. Between one-third to two-thirds of patients initially present with unresectable tumors or distant metastases, but up to 85% of these tumors become operable after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with PRETEXT categories 1, 2, and some 3 are referred for neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection with the goal of complete tumor removal. Classic treatments regimens include a combination of cisplatin, fluorouracil, and vincristine or cisplatin and doxorubicin. Liver transplantation is the only treatment option for unresectable HB. In 2010 the pediatric end-stage liver disease, a pediatric-specific scoring system that determines a patient's ranking on the liver transplant list, began to award additional "exception" points for patients with HB. We analyzed the Standard Transplant Analysis and Research dataset to assess the impact of changes in exception point criteria for HB on outcomes after liver transplantation at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. We found that patients who were listed for transplantation with current HB exception criteria experienced a shorter waitlist time but survival was similar between the two eras.
基金Supported by the New Xiangya Talent Project of The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University,No.20170311
文摘AIM To investigate blood cultures of deceased donors and report the confirmed transmission of bacterial infection from donors to liver recipients.METHODS We retrospectively studied the results of blood cultures among our donation after cardiac death(DCD) donors and calculated the donor-derived bacterial infection rates among liver recipients. Study participants underwent liver transplantation between January 1, 2010 and February 1, 2017. The study involved a total of 67 recipients of liver grafts from 67 DCD donors. We extracted the data of donors' and patients' characteristics, culture results and clinical outcomes, especially the post-transplant complications in liver recipients, from electronic medical records. We analyzed the characteristics of the donors and the corresponding liver recipients with emphasis put on donor-derived infections.RESULTS Head trauma was the most common origin of death among our 67 DCD donors(46.3%). Blood taken prior to the procurement operation was cultured for 53 of the donors, with 17 episodes of bloodstream infections developing from 13 donors. The predominant organism isolated from the blood of donors was Gram-positive bacteria(70.6%). Only three(4.5%) of 67 liver recipients developed confirmed donor-derived bacterial infections,with two isolates of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and one isolate of multidrug-resistant Enterobacter aerogenes. The liver recipients with donorderived infections showed relation to higher crude mortality and graft loss rates(33.3% each) within 3 mo post transplantation, as compared to those without donor-derived infections(9.4% and 4.7%, respectively). All three liver recipients received appropriate antimicrobial therapy.CONCLUSION Liver recipients have high occurrence of donor-derived infections. The liver recipients with donor-derived multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections can have good outcome if appropriate antimicrobial therapy is given.
文摘Chronic hepatitis B is a global health problem that leads to development of various complications,such as cirrhosis,liver cancer,and liver failure requiring liver transplantation.The recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) post-liver transplantation is a major cause of allograft dysfunction,cirrhosis of the allograft,and graft failure.Patients with high viral load at the time of transplantation,hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)positivity,or those with a history of anti-viral drug resistance are considered as high-risk for recurrent HBV post-liver transplantation,while patients with low viral load,including HBeAg negative status,acute liver failure,and hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-infection are considered to be at low-risk for recurrent HBV post-liver transplantation.Antivirals for patients awaiting liver transplantation(LT) cause suppression of HBV replication and reduce the risk of recurrent HBV infection of the allograft and,therefore,all HBV patients with decompensated cirrhosis should be treated with potent antivirals with high genetic barrier to resistance (entecavir or tenofovir) prior to liver transplantation.Prevention of post-liver transplantation recurrence should be done using a combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and antivirals in patients at high risk of recurrence.Low dose HBIG,HBIG-free protocols,and monoprophylaxis with high potency antivirals can still be considered in patients at low risk of recurrence.Even,marginal grafts from anti-HBc positive donors can be safely used in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative,preferably in anti-hepatitis B core (HBc)/anti-hepatitis B surface (HBs) positive recipients.In this article,we aim to review the mechanisms and risk factors of HBV recurrence post-LT in addition to the various treatment strategies proposed for the prevention of recurrent HBV infection
文摘Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) associated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) incidence is increasing worldwide, paralleling the obesity epidemic. Although most cases are associated with cirrhosis, HCC can occur without cirrhosis in NAFLD. Diabetes and obesity are associated risk factors for HCC in patients. Given the sheer magnitude of the underlying risk factors(diabetes, obesity, non-cirrhotic NAFLD) screening for HCC in the non-cirrhotic population is not recommended. Optimal screening strategies in NAFLD cirrhosis are not completely elucidated with Ultrasound having significant limitations in detection of liver lesions in the presence of obesity and steatosis. Consequently NAFLD-HCC is more often diagnosed at a later stage with larger tumors and reduced opportunities for curative treatments as opposed to HCC in other causes of cirrhosis. When HCC is found at a curative stage treatments including liver transplantation, resection and loco-regional therapies are associated with good results similar to that seen in HCV-HCC. Future strategies under study include the use of chemopreventive and antioxidant agents to reduce development of cirrhosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). Strategies to reverse NASH via weight loss, control of associated conditions like diabetes are key strategies in reducing the increasing incidence of NASH-HCC. Novel therapeutic agents for NASH are in trials and if successful in achieving reversal of NASH will be an important strategy in reducing NAFLD-HCC.
文摘The introduction of tacrolimus in clinical practice has improved patient survival after organ transplant.However,despite the long use of tacrolimus in clinical practice,the best way to use this agent is still a matter of intense debate.The start of the genomic era has generated new research areas,such as pharmacogenetics,which studies the variability of drug response in relation to the genetic factors involved in the processes responsible for the pharmacokinetics and/or the action mechanism of a drug in the body.This variability seems to be correlated with the presence of genetic polymorphisms.Genotyping is an attractive option especially for the initiation of the dosing of tacrolimus;also,unlike phenotypic tests,the genotype is a stable characteristic that needs to be determined only once for any given gene.However,prospective clinical studies must show that genotype determination before transplantation allows for better use of a given drug and improves the safety and clinical efficacy of that medication.At present,research has been able to reliably show that the CYP3A5 genotype,but not the CYP3A4 or ABCB1 ones,can modify the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus.However,it has not been possible to incontrovertibly show that the corresponding changes in the pharmacokinetic profile are linked with different patient outcomes regarding tacrolimus efficacy and toxicity.For these reasons,pharmacogenetics and individualized medicine remain a fascinating area for further study and may ultimately become the face of future medical practice and drug dosing.
文摘Historically,patients undergoing liver transplantation were left intubated and extubated in the intensive care unit(ICU)after a period of recovery.Proponents of this practice argued that these patients were critically ill andneed time to be properly optimized from a physiological and pain standpoint prior to extubation.Recently,there has been a growing movement toward early extubation in transplant centers worldwide.Initially fueled by research into early extubation following cardiac surgery,extubation in the operating room or soon after arrival to the ICU,has been shown to be safe with proper patient selection.Additionally,as experience at determining appropriate candidates has improved,some institutions have developed systems to allow select patients to bypass the ICU entirely and be admitted to the surgical ward after transplant.We discuss the history of early extubation and the arguments in favor and against fast track anesthesia.We also described our practice of fast track anesthesia at Mayo Clinic Florida,in which,we extubate approximately 60%of our patients in the operating room and send them to the surgical ward after a period of time in the post anesthesia recovery unit.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNo.81371554+1 种基金Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province of ChinaNo.2013B021800092
文摘Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease. Accurate imaging evaluation of the transplanted patient is critical for ensuring that the limited donor liver is functioning appropriately. Ultrasound contrast agents(UCAs), in combination with contrastspecific imaging techniques, are increasingly accepted in clinical use for the assessment of the hepatic vasculature, bile ducts and liver parenchyma in pre-, intra- and posttransplant patients. We describe UCAs, their technical requirements, the recommended clinical indications, image interpretation and the limitations for contrastenhanced ultrasound applications in liver transplantation.
文摘Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is a potent human pathogen and is one of the main causes of chronic hepatitis round the world. The present review describes the evidencebased consensus on the diagnosis, prevention and management of HCV disease. Various techniques, for the detection of anti-HCV immunoglobulin G immunoassays, detection of HCV RNA by identifying virus-specific molecules nucleic acid testings, recognition of core antigen for diagnosis of HCV, quantitative antigenassay, have been used to detect HCV RNA and core antigen. Advanced technologies such as nanoparticlebased diagnostic assays, loop-mediated isothermal amplification and aptamers and Ortho trak-C assay have also come to the front that provides best detection results with greater ease and specificity for detection of HCV. It is of immense importance to prevent this infection especially among the sexual partners, injecting drug users, mother-to-infant transmission of HCV, household contact, healthcare workers and people who get tattoos and piercing on their skin. Management of this infection is intended to eradicate it out of the body of patients. Management includes examining the treatment(efficacy and protection), assessment of hepatic condition before commencing therapy, controlling the parameters upon which dual and triple therapies work, monitoring the body after treatment and adjusting the co-factors. Examining the treatment in some special groups of people(HIV/HCV co-infected, hemodialysis patients, renal transplanted patients).
文摘BACKGROUND Portal vein thrombosis(PVT) after liver transplantation(LT) is an uncommon complication with potential for significant morbidity and mortality that transplant providers should be cognizant of.Recognizing subtle changes in postoperative ultrasounds that could herald but do not definitively diagnose PVT is paramount.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old female with a history of alcohol-related cirrhosis presented with painless jaundice and received a deceased donor orthotopic liver transplant.On the first two days post-operatively,her liver Doppler ultrasounds showed a patent portal vein,increased hepatic arterial diastolic flows,and reduced hepatic arterial resistive indices.She was asymptomatic with improving labs.On postoperative day three,her resistive indices declined further,and computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large extra-hepatic PVT.The patient then underwent emergent percutaneous venography with tissue plasminogen activator administration,angioplasty,and stent placement.Aspirin was started to prevent stent thrombosis.Follow-up ultrasounds showed a patent portal vein and improved hepatic arterial resistive indices.Her graft function improved to normal by discharge.Although decreased hepatic artery resistive indices and increased diastolic flows on ultrasound are often associated with hepatic arterial stenosis post-LT,PVT can also cause these findings.CONCLUSION Reduced hepatic arterial resistive indices on ultrasound can signify PVT post-LT,and thrombolysis,angioplasty,and stent placement are efficacious treatments.
文摘Liver transplantation(LT) is associated with a 2 to7 fold higher, age and gender adjusted, risk of de novo malignancy. The overall incidence of de novo malignancy post LT ranges from 2.2% to 26%, and 5 and 10 years incidence rates are estimated at 10% to 14.6% and 20% to 32%, respectively. The main risk factors for de novo malignancy include immunosuppression with impaired immunosurveillance, and a number of patient factors which include; age, latent oncogenic viral infections, tobacco and alcohol use history, and underlying liver disease. The most common cancers after LT are non-melanoma skin cancers, accounting for approximately 37% of de novo malignancies, with a noted increase in the ratio of squamous to basal cell cancers. While these types of skin cancer do not impact patient survival, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders and solid organ cancer, accounting for 25% and 48% of malignancies, are associated with increased mortality. Patients developing these types of cancer are diagnosed at more advanced stages, and their cancers behave more aggressively compared with the general population. Patients undergoing LT for primary sclerosing cholangitis(particularly with inflammatory bowel disease) and alcoholic liver disease have high rates of malignancies compared with patients undergoing LT for other indications. These populations are at particular risk for gastrointestinal and aerodigestive cancers respectively. Counseling smoking cessation, skin protection from sun exposure and routine clinical follow-up are the current approach in practice. There are no standardized surveillance protocol, but available data suggests that regimented surveillance strategies are needed and capable of yielding cancer diagnosis at earlier stages with better resulting survival. Evidence-based strategies are needed to guide optimal surveillance and safe minimization of immunosuppression.
文摘Nephropathy secondary to BK virus, a member of the Papoviridae family of viruses, has been recognized for some time as an important cause of allograft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients. In recent times, BK nephropathy(BKN) of the native kidneys has being increasingly recognized as a cause of chronic kidney disease in patients with solid organ transplants, bone marrow transplants and in patients with other clinical entities associated with immunosuppression. In such patients renal dysfunction is often attributed to other factors including nephrotoxicity of medications used to prevent rejection of the transplanted organs. Renal biopsy is required for the diagnosis of BKN. Quantitation of the BK viral load in blood and urine are surrogate diagnostic methods. The treatment of BKN is based on reduction of the immunosuppressive medications. Several compounds have shown antiviral activity, but have not consistently shown to have beneficial effects in BKN. In addition to BKN, BK viral infection can cause severe urinary bladder cystitis, ureteritis and urinary tract obstruction as well as manifestations in other organ systems including the central nervous system, the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system and the hematopoietic system. BK viral infection has also been implicated in tumorigenesis. The spectrum of clinical manifestations from BK infection and infection from other members of the Papoviridae family is widening. Prevention and treatment of BK infection and infections from other Papovaviruses are subjects of intense research.
文摘Cholecystectomy is a common procedure.Abnormalities in the anatomy of the biliary system are common but an abnormal location of the gallbladder is much rarer.Despite frequent pre-operative imaging,the aberrant location of the gallbladder is commonly discovered at surgery.This article presents a case of a patient with the gallbladder located to the left of the falciform ligament in the absence of situs inversus totalis that presented with right upper quadrant pain.A laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and it was noted that the cystic duct originated from the right side.The presence of a left sided gall bladder is often associated with various biliary,portal venous and other anomalies that might lead to intra-operative injuries.The spectrum of unusual positions and anatomical gallbladder abnormalities is reviewed in order to facilitate elective and emergent cholecystectomy as well as other hepatobiliary procedures.With proper identification of the anatomy,minimally invasive approaches are still considered safe.
文摘Ischaemia-reperfusion injury(IRI) is the leading cause of injury seen in the liver following transplantation. IRI also causes injury following liver surgery and haemodynamic shock. The first cells within the liver to be injured by IRI are the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells(LSEC). Recent evidence suggests that LSEC coordinate and regulates the livers response to a variety of injuries. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the cyto-protective cellular process of autophagy is a key regulator of IRI. In particular LSEC autophagy may be an essential gatekeeper to the development of IRI. The recent availability of liver perfusion devices has allowed for the therapeutic targeting of autophagy to reduce IRI. In particular normothermic machine liver perfusion(NMP-L) allow the delivery of pharmacological agents to donor livers whilst maintaining physiological temperature and hepatic flow rates. In this review we summarise the current understanding of endothelial autophagy and how this may be manipulated during NMP-L to reduce liver IRI.
