Predictive factors of neurological complications and one-month mortality after liver transplantation.

BackgroundNeurological complications are common after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We aimed to characterize the risk factors associated with neurological complications and mortality among patients who underwent OLT in the post-model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) era.MethodsIn a retrospective review, we evaluated 227 consecutive patients at the Keck Hospital of the University of Southern California before and after OLT to define the type and frequency of and risk factors for neurological complications and mortality.ResultsNeurological complications were common (n = 98), with encephalopathy being most frequent (56.8%), followed by tremor (26.5%), hallucinations (11.2%), and seizure (8.2%). Factors associated with neurological complications after OLT included preoperative dialysis, hepatorenal syndrome, renal insufficiency, intra-operative dialysis, preoperative encephalopathy, preoperative mechanical ventilation, and infection. Preoperative infection was an independent predictor of neurological complications (OR 2.83, 1.47-5.44). One-month mortality was 8.8% and was independently associated with urgent re-transplant, preoperative intubation, and intra-operative arrhythmia.ConclusionNeurological complications are common in patients undergoing OLT in the post-MELD era, with encephalopathy being most frequent. An improved understanding of the risk factors related to both neurological complications and one-month mortality post-transplantation can better guide perioperative care and help improve outcomes among OLT patients

The devil is in the detail: current management of perioperative surgical complications after liver transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite advances in the field, perioperative morbidity is common after liver transplantation. This review examines the current literature to provide up-to-date management of common surgical complications associated with liver transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS: Research focuses on problems with anastomoses of the vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile ducts. Interventional endoscopic and radiological techniques are used more frequently to avoid reoperation. SUMMARY: Advances in the management of perioperative surgical complications have focused on minimally invasive measures that successfully treat technical problems with implantation of liver allografts from both living and deceased donors

Hepatic artery stenosis angioplasty and implantation of Wingspan neurovascular stent: A case report and discussion of stenting in tortuous vessels.

BACKGROUND:Hepatic artery stenosis is a complication of orthotopic liver transplant occurring in 3.1%-7.4% of patients that can result in graft failure and need for re-transplantation. Endovascular therapy with angioplasty and stenting has been used with a high degree of technical success and good clinical outcomes, but tortuous hepatic arteries present a unique challenge for intervention. Suitable stents for this application should be maneuverable and conformable while also exerting adequate radial force to maintain a patent lumen. CASE SUMMARY:Herein we report our experience with a neurovascular Wingspan stent system in a challenging case of recurrent hepatic artery stenosis and discuss the literature of stenting in tortuous transplant hepatic arteries. CONCLUSION:Wingspan neurovascular stent is self-expanding, has good conformability, and adequate radial resistance and as such it could be added to the armamentarium of interventionalists in the setting of a tortuous and stenotic transplant hepatic artery

Impact of Payer Status on Delisting Among Liver Transplant Candidates in the United States.

BACKGROUND: While socioeconomic disparities persist both pre- and post-transplantation, the impact of payer status has not been studied at the national level. We examined the association between public insurance coverage and waitlist outcomes among candidates listed for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States. METHODS: All adults (≥18 years) listed for LT between 2002-2018 in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database were included. The primary outcome was waitlist removal due to death or clinical deterioration. Continuous and categorical variables were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis and chi-squared tests, respectively. Fine and Gray competing-risks regression was used to estimate sub-distribution hazard ratios for risk factors associated with delisting. RESULTS: Of 131,839 patients listed for LT, 61.2% were covered by private insurance, 22.9% by Medicare and 15.9% by Medicaid. The one-year cumulative incidence of delisting was 9.0% (95% CI: [8.3%-9.8%]) for patients with private insurance, 10.7% [9.9%-11.6%] for Medicare and 10.7% [9.8%-11.6%] for Medicaid. In multivariable competing-risks analysis, Medicare (HR 1.20 [1.17-1.24], p CONCLUSIONS: In this study, LT candidates with Medicare or Medicaid had 20% increased risk of delisting due to death or clinical deterioration than those with private insurance. As more patients use public insurance to cover the cost of LT, targeted waitlist management protocols may mitigate the increased risk of delisting in this population