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Concerns related to poor oxygenation in patients with severe hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) may be prohibitive when considering their candidacy for liver transplantation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been utilized in only a few case reports as a bridge to liver transplant in patients with severe respiratory failure. We report a case of a 66-year-old man with cirrhosis and very severe (arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) < 50 mmHg) hepatopulmonary syndrome who underwent an orthotopic liver transplant with the planned use of venovenous-ECMO. Pre-transplant echocardiography demonstrated a small-trivial patent foramen ovale (PFO) but following the resolution of hepatopulmonary shunting after liver transplantation, the PFO size enlarged and contributed to a thromboembolic stroke. We conclude that well-selected patients with HPS could benefit from the use of planned venovenous-ECMO and that a small-trivial PFO seen in a patient with HPS may warrant intervention prior to transplantation., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Tyler et al.)

Orthotopic liver transplantation is the definitive standard treatment for end-stage liver disease. Orthotopic liver transplantation anaesthesia management is a complex procedure that requires a multidisciplinary team approach. Understanding the complex pathophysiology of end-stage liver disease and its complications in the affected systems is essential for proper anaesthesia management in orthotopic liver transplantation. Orthotopic liver transplantation is a dynamic process, and preoperative optimisation is essential in these patients. Therefore, anaesthesiologists should focus on rapidly fluctuating physiology, haemodynamics, metabolic, and coagulation status in the anaesthesia management of these patients. Perioperative care and anaesthesia for orthotopic liver transplantation can be divided into preoperative evaluation, anaesthesia induction and management, dissection, anhepatic, neo-hepatic, and postoperative care, with essential anaesthetic considerations at each point. Considering the clinical situation, haemodynamic changes, misapplications, knowledge, attitude, and multimodal and multidisciplinary approach are vital in anaesthesia and the perioperative period. In our review, in line with the literature, we aimed to present the perioperative and anaesthesia management in orthotopic liver transplantation patients.

Management of symptomatic polycystic liver disease (PLD) has remained primarily unchanged since the early 20th century when multiple case reports described management of non-parasitic liver cysts. In 1968, Lin et al. described the fenestration procedure, “aspiration of the cysts, incision, partial excision with or without external drainage, or marsupilization and anastomosis to the gastrointestinal tract”. Further surgical options have included cyst sclerotherapy, laparoscopic cyst aspiration, partial hepatectomy, and orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). Recently there has been discussion of medical management with somatostatin analogs to reduce hepatomegaly in PLD with varying success. There is no current consensus on treatment or standard of care for symptomatic PLD, it is largely up to surgeon preference and ability; however, there has been a movement toward early OLT with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score exception points. This case series reviews two female patients with normal renal and hepatic function with symptomatic PLD treated with transverse hepatectomy. We propose that patients suffering from symptomatic PLD, with retained renal and hepatic function, can be treated with transverse hepatectomy conserving limited donor livers for decompensated patients; moreover, transverse hepatectomy does not disrupt the major suprahepatic vena cava preserving potential surgical access for future OLT.

Aim: to improve the results of treating patients with anastomotic biliary strictures of the bile ducts after orthotopic liver transplantation.Materials and methods. This study is based on the results of the endoscopic treatment of 36 patients with biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation, who were admitted to the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine from December 2001 to December 2017. The endoscopic treatment program included diagnostic ERCP, endoscopic papillosphincterotomy (EPST), bilioduodenal stenting, nasobiliary drainage, balloon dilatation.Results. Against the background of the staged endoscopic treatment, the stable remission of anastomotic biliary strictures (ABS) was achieved in 17 (53.1 %) patients, with 4 of them (12.5 %) showing a successfully resolved insufficiency of biliobiliary anastomosis (BBA). The average duration of endoscopic treatment was 12 ± 1.9 months. The number of ERCPs performed for each patient varied from 1 to 12 and averaged 3. In the majority of patients (75 %) who received one or more courses of endoscopic treatment, a successful correction of anastomotic strictures with no recurrence within 2–5 years was achieved.Conclusion. Staged endoscopic treatment is established to be highly effective in patients with anastomotic biliary strictures and the insufficiency of bilobiliary anastomoses occurred after orthotopic liver transplantation. Such a treatment allows good long-term results to be achieved by a minimally invasive method.

Abstract Background To investigate the effects of retrograde reperfusion on the intraoperative internal environment and hemodynamics in classic orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods Thirty patients were undergone classic OLT using retrograde reperfusion in our center. Blood sampling was done at different time points including: Before blood venting via the portal vein (PV), 10 mL of blood was collected from the inferior vena cava (T0); During retrograde reperfusion through the inferior vena cava (IVC), 10 mL of blood was collected when the volume of blood venting reached 10 mL (T1), 100 mL (T2), and 200 mL (T3), respectively. 5 mL of blood was analyzed using a NOVA-f–type Blood Gas Analyzer. The remaining 5 mL was measured to determine the level of IL-1β using an enzyme-linked immunosobent assay. Results All operations were completed successfully, and postreperfusion syndrome (PRS) occurred in 6 patients (20%). The most notable findings were significant changes at T1, T2 and T3, including pH value, PvO2, SvO2, BEecf, HCO3 −, Lac, K+, Ca2+ and IL-1β, compared with T0 (P

Background: Aggressive course of liver alveococcosis makes it possible to designate it as a “parasitic liver cancer”. The main treatment method for the disease is surgery. The parasitic mass is resected according to R0 principles, with concomitant plastic surgery of the major vessels and bile ducts to increase resectability.Aim: To assess the potential of surgical treatment in patients with advanced liver alveococcosis using transplantation techniques.Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed in- and outpatient medical files of 62 subjects with confirmed liver alveococcosis, who had been treated in the Volga District Medical Centre (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) from 2008 to 2018. Thirty two (32) patients had advanced liver alveococcosis with involvement of afferent and efferent vasculature and biliary tract. Surgical procedures were used in 50/62 patients (or 4.2% of the total number of liver resections performed during this time interval, n = 1197). Complications occurred in 46% (23 / 50) of the cases. Twenty nine (29, or 58%) patients had been operated before (mostly cytoreductive resections and/or explorative laparotomies). Distant lung metastases were found in 2 (4%) patients.Results: Fifty (50) patients had curative surgical procedures: liver resections in 45, deceased donor orthotopic liver transplantations in 5. Most common were extensive liver resections (more than 4 segments). Resection and reconstruction of the main vessels were necessary in 50% (25 cases) of the patients, including v. cava inferior in 25 cases and the portal vein in 24 cases. In 31 patients, resection and reconstruction of extra-hepatic bile ducts was performed, and in 17 (33%) patients resections of the neighboring organs, such as diaphragm, lung, right adrenal, duodenum, stomach, and colon. In 4 cases, resections were performed ex situ ex vivo, followed by auto-transplantation, including 2 cases with reverse auto-transplantation of the left lateral sector to the right. The incidence of liver failure events grade A and B (by International Study Group of Liver Surgery, ISGLS) did not exceed 10% (4 patients). Complications were seen in 25 cases, including Clavien – Dindo Grade II in 5, Grade IIIb in 13, Grade IVb in 2, and Grade V in 5. The number of bile leakage events (ISGLS) class B was 6 and class C 10. All patients underwent obligatory adjuvant anti-parasitic therapy.Conclusion: At present, surgical treatment of liver alveococcosis remains a method of choice, that requires that the hepato-pancreato-biliary center would have in place a well-developed transplantation program, adequate equipment and well-trained surgical and anesthetic teams.

Presented the case of a combined approach preparation of 47 years old patient with primary biliary cirrhosis for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and arterial flow insufficiency correction after surgery. The patient was under waiting list for OLT due liver cirrhosis progression. The patient underwent Intraportal infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC) which is allowed temporary stabilized the cirrhotic transformation. The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure performed due to portal hypertension progression with episodes of bleeding from the esophageal and gastric varices, that allowed to receive organ donor and OLT. At 6 months after OLT the patient had clinical signs of a jaundice caused by splenic artery steal syndrome which was corrected by endovascular intervention: splenic artery trunk embolization.

Objective: to evaluate the efficiency of endoscopic transpapillary interventions in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary complications in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Materials and methods. One hundred and seventy-one OLTs were carried out at the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care in January to October 2010. Of them, endoscopic transpapillary interventions into the bile ducts for biliary complications were undertaken in 13 (7.6%) patients. These patients underwent a total of 33 endoscopic retrograde cholangiographies (ERCG), 13 endoscopic papillosphincterotomies, 5 bouginages, and 22 stentings.Results. There were no fatal outcomes associated with endoscopic interventions. By and large, the immediate result of endoscopic treatment was positive in 10 (77.0%) patients. Our results of endoscopic treatment were comparable with the data available in the literature.Conclusion. ERCG can reveal post-OLT bile-biliary anastomostic strictures and failure, which serve as an indication for endoscopic bilioduodenal stenting with stepwise restenting.

The paper provides a brief overview of the data available in the literature with the discussion of the basic principles of the diagnosis and treatment of a graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR). After orthotopic liver transplantation, the incidence of this complication is 1–3%, mortality is as high as 75%. The paper describes a case of GVHR after liver transplantation, the clinical picture of which shows a preponderance of skin manifestations. Timely diagnosis of this rare complication has allowed the patient to be effectively treated.

The paper shows the main stages of introduction and organization of liver transplantation in the Republic of Belarus, the procedure of examination of patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation, and the experience of the first 37 orthotopic liver transplantations made in the Republic of Belarus in April 3, 2008, to February 1, 2010.

Orthotopic liver posttransplantation biliary complications are a serious problem. Due to the development of surgical techniques, the incidence of biliary complications has decreased by several times over the 40-year history of liver transplantation, but achieved 10-35% up to the present, by inducing 2-9.6% mortality. The review presents a classification of biliary complications, defines risk factors of their development, a possibility of their prevention, and correction options.

Objective: to study the effect of selenium on the course of a postoperative period in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Subjects and methods. The prospective controlled randomized study enrolled 30 patients after OLT. Selenium (Selenase, Biosyn) was administered in Group 1 (n = 15) within 5 days operatively. The agent was not used in complex therapy in Group 2 (n = 15).Results. After OLT, the plasma levels of selenium were much more than the normal value. In Group 1, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly lower on day 3 after OLT and those of urea and creatinine significantly decreased by day 7. A significant difference was found in scores on day 7, as shown by the analysis of the patients' condition by the SOFA scale. The patients who needed venovenous hemodiafiltration (VVHDF) were more than in those who did not use selenium.Conclusion. Selenium levels considerably decrease after liver transplantation. Selenase has a hepatoprotective effect, alleviates the manifestations of a systemic inflammatory response, and reduces the frequency of VVHDF use.

Objective: to assess the first results of transjugular intrahepatic portocaval shunting (TIPS) as a technique for preventing portal hypertension complications in patients in the period of waiting for a donor liver.Subjects and methods. TIPS was performed in 6 patients on the list of waiting for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The indications for TIPS were current (n=1) or high-risk recurrent hemorrhages from the esophageal varices and stomach (n=4) and diuretic-resistant ascitis (n=1).Results. TIPS was successfully carried out in all the patients. The portovenous gradient was reduced by 2—3 times (to 9—12 mm Hg). A further follow-up revealed recurrent varicose hemorrhage or ascitis in none patients. Doppler study indicated that the shunt showed a good function. OLT was successfully made in 3 patients 2, 8, and 19 months after TIPS; one female patient had been waiting for OLT for 5 months; 2 patients died from sepsis and hepatic failure following 1 and 5 months, respectively.Conclusion. The first results suggest that in patients with hepatic cirrhosis complicated with portal hypertension, TIPS can be regarded as a safety bridge while waiting for a donor liver.

Objective: to analyze the causes of acute renal failure (ARF) and to study the efficiency of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the treatment of this condition after liver transplantation.Materials and methods. Eighty liver transplantations made at the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care from 2000 to 2008 were analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) 29 patients with evolving ARF who received RRT in the postoperative period; 2) 51 patients who had no indications for RRT.Results. Postoperative RRT was performed in 29 (36.3%) patients. Of them, 23 patients had been identified to have the hepatorenal syndrome in the preoperative period. Renal function recovered in 20 (72.4%) of the 29 patients who needed RRT during the performed treatment and they were discharged from the clinic. Due to the conducted treatment, these patients showed stabilization and their ARF resolution occurred within 12.7±6.2 days. The mean number of performed sessions required to restore renal function was 8.8 (range 1 to 56).Conclusion. Preoperative hepatorenal syndrome is a predictor of ARF in the postoperative period. At the same time ARD has a good prognosis after liver transplantation. With a primary non-functioning graft, extracorporeal techniques are ineffective and maintenance therapy used prior to liver retransplantation.

The influence of postreperfusion syndrome on the results of orthotopic liver transplantation in 100 patients who underwent to liver transplantation from living related donors and 12 recipients who underwent to retransplantation of the liver was analyzed in the retrospective study. No statistically significant differences in the dynamics of lactate levels of specific enzymes, creatinine concentration at the third postoperative day, and duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation were detected between groups with and without the postreperfusion syndrome. In this retrospective observational study there was found no effect of postreperfusion syndrome on the functional state of the transplant and on the early postoperative course.

The paper describes a case of posttransplantation fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis C (PFCHC) in a female patient whose transplant was preserved due to timely antiviral therapy (AVT). Its differential diagnosis primarily required that chronic graft rejection and biliary anastomotic stricture be excluded as a cause of dysfunction. PFCHC was proposed to be a possible cause of graft dysfunction on the basis of the clinical course of the disease, the presence of a very high viral load, intervals after orthotopic liver transplantation, the results of histological studies, and no signs of biliary hypertension. Antiviral monotherapy was initiated using pegylated interferon α-2a (Pegasys), which resulted in a considerable improvement and yielded complete early virological and biochemical responses to AVT. This allows one to hope to obtain a sustained virological response and to eliminate hepatitis C infection in the patient after termination of a 48-week course of therapy.

A comprehensive examination, involving ultrasonography (US) in 55 potential related donors of liver fragments, revealed no signs of diffuse liver lesion (DLL) in 45 cases (Group A), these were found in 10 cases (Group B).Liver fragment taking surgery was performed in Group A patients 1–2 weeks after US. All the 45 patients in this group were found to have a normal US pattern of the liver, as verified by its histological studies in all the cases; all these patients had also a mass body index (MBI) of lower than 25 kg/m2 . In Group B, all the 10 patients had the US signs comparable with mild or moderate DLL (increased liver parenchymal echogenicity, worse visualization of the small branches of the intrahepatic veins and diaphragm, and altered patterns of blood flow in the right hepatic vein) generally concurrent with a higher MBI. After 3–4-month treatment to reduce weight (conditioning), the liver US pattern normalized in 9 of the 10 Group B patients; only one patient with a MBI of 31.6 kg/m2 preserved the signs of mild DLL (histological studies of liver biopsy specimens revealed 10% steatosis in this patient, 2 % steatosis in 2 female patients; this condition was absent in the other 7 patients). All the patients in Group B were also operated on 1–2 weeks after the last US. The recipients from Groups A and B donors had no posttransplantation parenchymal complications.US in the tints of a gray scale along with the determination of blood flow patterns in the hepatic veins rather significantly shows the normal liver in its potential donors and reduces the need for serial diagnostic liver biopsies and other instrumental studies.

Abstract Soluble fibrinogen‐like protein 2 (sFGL2) could ameliorate acute rejection (AR) in rat cardiac transplantation. However, the role of sFGL2 in AR of liver transplantation has not been addressed. In this study, we found that FGL2 was upregulated in rat orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT) models of tolerance and positive correlation with the frequency of M2 Kupffer cells (KCs). Gain‐of‐function experiments in vitro showed that sFGL2 promoted the secretion of anti‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐10, TGF‐β) and the expression of CD206, and inhibited the activities of STAT1 and NF‐κB signaling pathway. Consistently, in vivo assays showed that adeno‐associated virus‐mediated FGL2 (AAV‐FGL2) transfer to recipients could ameliorate AR of rat OLT and induce KCs M2 polarization in allografts. Notably, we found that the recipients receiving transferred KCs from AAV‐FGL2‐treated allograft showed alleviated AR. Taken together, we revealed that sFGL2 ameliorated AR by inducing KCs M2 polarization.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in acute cellular rejection (ACR) afterorthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods During October 2014 to April 2018, 112 patients underwent MR examination with DKI sequence following OLT (postoperative days: 7-378). A total of 18 patients were diagnosed with ACR (reference standard: biopsy). The remaining 91 patients were as follows: 56 with biliary complications (reference standard: ERC or PfC), 11 with vascular complications (reference standard: surgery or DSA), 2 with drug induced liver injury ( DILi), 13 normal (excluded), 3 insufficient image quality (excluded), and 9tumorrecurrence (excluded). Finally, 87 patients were included in this study. They were divided into the ACR group and non-A CR group. For each patient, DKI was performed with a 3.0 T MRI system with b values of 0, 200, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 sec/mm2 • Corrected diffusion (D), kurtosis (K), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured by two radiologists independently. lnterobserver repeatability was assessed by using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used for statistical analysis. Results lnterobserver agreements between the two observers were excellent (ICC=0.843-0.878). D values were significantly lower in the ACR group than those in the control group (P= 0.012). K values in the ACR group were significantly higher compared to those in the control group (P=0.003). No significance was found in ADC values between the ACR and non-ACR group (P=0.560). Regarding the comparison of the diagnostic performance, K values showed the highest AUC value of 0.925, and the corresponding values for sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were 0.947, 0.789, and 0.737, respectively. Conclusion DKI metrics show a promising potential in diagnosing ACR after OLT compared to monoexponential diffusion method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postoperative pulmonary complications including acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome have contributed to mortality and morbidity of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with unclear mechanisms. Mast cells (MCs) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are the main inflammatory cells and participants in the process of ALI. The present study was designed to investigate the role of MCs and PMNs and their potential relation to ALI following OLT. Rat orthotopic autologous liver transplantation (OALT) model was designed to determine lung injury at different time points after liver reperfusion. We also evaluated the function of MCs and the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and tryptase on ALI and PMN apoptosis in rats subjected to OALT. Histological scores and inflammatory factor levels as well as PMN apoptosis were measured. Rats suffered from ALI after OALT, which was demonstrated by a collapse of the pulmonary architecture, pulmonary edema, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in alveolar and interstitial spaces, as well as increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines. ALI maximized at 8 h after OALT. However, PMN apoptosis lagged behind the pulmonary injury and maximized at 16 h after OALT, when the acute inflammation resolution initiated. MC stabilization, and tryptase and TNF-α inhibitors could significantly decrease the lung pathophysiologic scores accompanied by an increase in PMN apoptosis. ALI after OALT was associated with MC activation and PMN apoptosis. ALI progression might be affected by delayed PMN apoptosis, which was related to MC activation. Induction of PMN apoptosis might alleviate ALI after OALT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes and illustrates the surgical techniques and the post-operative imaging anatomy in liver transplantation. Special attention is paid to the variant vascular and biliary anatomy that are important for surgical planning. Considering the ever-growing number of liver transplants performed and the key role that imaging plays in the pre-operative planning and post-operative assessment, it is important for the radiologist to be familiar with the surgical techniques and the normal post-operative appearance in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of symptomatic polycystic liver disease (PLD) has remained primarily unchanged since the early 20th century when multiple case reports described management of non-parasitic liver cysts. In 1968, Lin et al. described the fenestration procedure, "aspiration of the cysts, incision, partial excision with or without external drainage, or marsupilization and anastomosis to the gastrointestinal tract". Further surgical options have included cyst sclerotherapy, laparoscopic cyst aspiration, partial hepatectomy, and orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). Recently there has been discussion of medical management with somatostatin analogs to reduce hepatomegaly in PLD with varying success. There is no current consensus on treatment or standard of care for symptomatic PLD, it is largely up to surgeon preference and ability; however, there has been a movement toward early OLT with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score exception points. This case series reviews two female patients with normal renal and hepatic function with symptomatic PLD treated with transverse hepatectomy. We propose that patients suffering from symptomatic PLD, with retained renal and hepatic function, can be treated with transverse hepatectomy conserving limited donor livers for decompensated patients; moreover, transverse hepatectomy does not disrupt the major suprahepatic vena cava preserving potential surgical access for future OLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to present our 10-year experience of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) management with pediatric liver recipients and to understand the importance of close interdisciplinary cooperation in 2 hospitals. Methods: A retrospective chart review study was performed according to our hospital's medical records and the pediatric liver transplant database of Renji hospital. Results: A total of 767 patients received liver transplantation (LT) performed in Renji hospital between October 2006 and December 2016, of which 97 of them were admitted to PICU in our center for various complications developed after transplantation. 8.8% (16/208) and 14.4% (81/559) of patients were transferred to PICU in stages I and II, respectively, and was comparable in the 2 stages (P = .017). The majority of patients was late postoperative children (median 185 post-LT days) in stage I. More patients were transferred to PICU directly in stage II. PICU admitted more younger (median 8.2 months) and early postoperative patients in stage II. The median length of PICU stay was 11.0 (6.0-20.5) days. The median length of mechanical ventilation was 5.0 (0.0-12.0) days. The most frequent complications were pulmonary complications (52 [53.6%] patients), surgical complications (22 [22.7%] patients), sepsis (7 [7.2%]), and other miscellaneous complications (16 [16.5%] patients). The overall 28-day PICU mortality was 25.8% (n = 25) and 64.0% (n = 16) of the deaths happened in the early postoperative period. There was significant difference concerning mortality in children with surgical complications and medical problems (54.5% [12/22] vs 17.3% [13/75], P = .001). Multivariate analysis by regression showed that the pediatric risk of mortality III score was the only independent prognostic factor (P = .031). Conclusions: Multiple complications occur in children with LT. Although challenging, interdisciplinary cooperation between different hospitals is an effective mean to enable children to maximize the benefit gained from LT in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), mediated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), can manifest with flu‐like illness and severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Immunocompromised patients merit particular attention as altered host immunity may influence both disease severity and duration of viral shedding as is described with several other ribonucleic acid respiratory viruses. Yet immunocompromised status alone, in the absence of other comorbidities, may not necessarily predict severe illness presentations and poorer clinical outcomes as indicated by recent reports of COVID‐19‐infected solid organ transplant recipients and people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Such patients may even be spared the robust inflammatory response that precipitates ARDS associated with COVID‐19, complicating the management of iatrogenic immunosuppression in this setting. We present a case of an orthotopic liver transplant recipient with well‐controlled HIV who successfully recovered from a mild, flu‐like illness attributed to SARS‐CoV‐2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare but devastating malignancy that presents late, and associated with a high mortality if untreated. CCA is locally aggressive and located in close proximity to vital structures i.e. the portal vein and hepatic artery. A complete extirpation of the tumor including microscopically detectable disease R0 resection offers the best possibility of long-term survival in patients with CCA. As such, the surgical approach to achieve a R0 resection is dictated by the location of the tumor and the presence of underlying liver disease. The present article focuses on the general principles of the multidisciplinary treatment of hilar and intrahepatic CCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is the standard treatment for end-stage liver disease and liver failure. However, ischemia-reperfusion injury can reduce the success rate of liver transplantation. When a limited number of liver donors are available for transplantation, how to reduce liver ischemia-reperfusion injury has become the primary issue in liver transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of macrolide antibiotics on ischemia-reperfusion injury after liver transplantation in rats. METHODS: Rat autologous orthotopic liver transplantation model was constructed. Wistar rats were randomly divided into macrolide antibiotics group and control group. In the macrolide antibiotics group, the donor liver was treated with macrolide antibiotics (60 mg/kg roxithromycin, 20 mg/kg clarithromycin and 40 mg/kg erythromycin) 30 minutes before hepatectomy, and the above macrolide antibiotic mixture was injected into the portal vein immediately after orthotopic liver transplantation. In the control group, rats were pretreated with the same volume of saline for 30 minutes before hepatectomy, and the same volume of saline was injected into the portal vein immediately after orthotopic liver transplantation. The survival rate of the rats was observed within 7 days after liver transplantation. The serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer at 48 and 72 hours after liver transplantation. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry assay were used to detect the morphological changes of liver tissues and the number of Ki-67 positive cells in liver transplantation rats. TUNEL and western blot assay were used to detect the number of apoptotic hepatocytes and the expression of caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in liver transplantation rats, respectively. The Kupffer cell number changes and levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α in rat liver tissues after liver transplantation were detected by immunofluorescence and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Macrolide antibiotics increased the overall survival rate of liver transplanted rats, improved the dysfunction of transplanted liver, reduced the severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury after liver transplantation, increased the regenerative capacity of transplanted liver, reduced the number of apoptotic cells and the ratio of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 in the transplanted liver tissue, and decreased the number of Kupffer cells and the levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α in the transplanted liver. All the results indicate that macrolide antibiotics protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats undergoing liver transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common postoperative complication of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). So far, little attention has been paid on the association between overweight and AKI after OLT, and animal models or clinical studies have drawn conflicting conclusions. The objective of our study was to determine whether overweight (BMI [Body Mass Index] ≥ 25 kg/m2) is associated with an increased risk of AKI after OLT.Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 244 patients receiving OLT in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 1, 2017, and August 29, 2019. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected retrospectively. The primary outcome was the development of AKI as defined by Kidney Disease, Improving Global Outcome (KIDGO) staging system. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between overweight and the occurrence of postoperative AKI. Data analysis was conducted from September to October 2019, revision in April 2020.Results: Among 244 patients receiving OLT (mean [standard deviation] age, 54.1 [9.6] years; 84.0% male) identified, 163 patients (66.8%) developed postoperative AKI. Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) was associated with a higher rate of postoperative severe AKI (stage 2/3) compared with normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2) (41 [47.7%] vs 39 [28.7%]; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.539; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.389-4.642; P = 0.002). Furthermore, patients with obese were at even higher risk of postoperative severe AKI after controlling for confounding factors (adjusted OR: 3.705; 95% CI: 1.108-12.388; P = 0.033).Conclusions: Overweight is independently associated with an increased risk of postoperative severe AKI among patients receiving OLT. The association of BMI with severe AKI after OLT is J-shaped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver grafts have a poor prognosis after transplantation. We investigated whether the outcome of DCD donor organs can be improved by heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1)-modified bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) combined with normothermic machine perfusion (NMP), and explored its underlying mechanisms. Methods: BMMSCs were isolated, cultured, and transduced with the HO-1 gene. An NMP system was established. DCD rat livers were obtained, preserved by different methods, and the recipients were divided into 5 groups: sham operation, static cold storage (SCS), NMP, BMMSCs combined with NMP, and HO-1/BMMSCs combined with NMP (HBP) groups. Rats were sacrificed at 1, 7, and 14 days after surgery; their blood and liver tissue samples were collected; and liver enzyme and cytokine levels, liver histology, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) levels in monocytes and liver tissues, and expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway-related molecules were evaluated. Results: After liver transplantation, the SCS group showed significantly increased transaminase levels, liver tissue damage, and shorter survival time. The HBP group showed lower transaminase levels, intact liver morphology, prolonged survival time, and decreased serum and liver proinflammatory cytokine levels. In the NMP and SCS groups, HMGB1 expression in the serum, monocytes, and liver tissues and TLR4 pathway-related molecule expression were significantly decreased. Conclusions: HO-1/BMMSCs combined with NMP exerted protective effects on DCD donor liver and significantly improved recipient prognosis. The effect of HO-1/BMMSCs was greater than that of BMMSCs and was mediated via HMGB1 expression and TLR4 pathway inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaemia is common in patients with end-stage liver disease. Pre-operative anaemia is associated with greater mortality after major surgery. We analysed the association of pre-operative anaemia (World Health Organization classification) with survival and complications after orthotopic liver transplantation using Cox and logistic regression models. We included patients undergoing their first orthotopic liver transplantation between 2004 and 2016. Out of 599 included patients, 455 (76%) were anaemic before transplantation. Pre-operative anaemia was not associated with the survival of 485/599 (81%) patients to 1 year after liver transplantation, OR (95%CI) 1.04 (0.64-1.68), p = 0.88. Pre-operative anaemia was associated with higher rates of intra-operative blood transfusions and acute postoperative kidney injury on multivariable analysis, OR (95%CI) 1.70 (0.82-2.59) and 1.72 (1.11-2.67), respectively, p < 0.001 for both. Postoperative renal replacement therapy was associated with pre-operative anaemia on univariate analysis, OR (95%CI) 1.87 (1.11-3.15), p = 0.018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic HCV liver infection is considered one of the main causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For a selected group of patients, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) is the most effective option to cure both liver diseases. After liver transplantation, patients may be at risk of viral infection reactivation and HCC recurrence. HCV recurrence on the transplanted organ can lead to graft cirrhosis and therefore the clearance of virus with antiviral therapies has a pivotal role on the prevention of graft damage. Nowadays, direct antiviral agents (DAAs) represent the choice treatment for HCV recurrence in liver transplanted patients, ensuring high eradication rates. We present the case of a liver transplant recipient who developed, 7 years after OLTx and immediately after a DAAs treatment, a subcutaneous abdominal mass with histological characteristics of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the endoscopic diagnostic and treatment techniques for biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation, their efficacy and safety. Material and methods. The study was based on the results of endoscopic treatment of 29 patients with biliary complications occurred after orthotopic liver transplantation in N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine in the period from December 2001 to January 2017. Conclusions. The state-of-the-art methods of therapeutic endoscopy enable a successful treatment of most cases of biliary strictures and biliary-biliary anastomosis incompetence, thus achieving good long-term results using a minimally invasive methodology.

Abstract Background Advanced stages of liver cirrhosis lead to a dramatically increased mortality. For valid identification of these patients suitable biomarkers are essential. The most important biomarkers for liver function are bilirubin and prothrombin time expressed as International Normalized Ratio (INR). However, the influence of several anticoagulants on the prothrombin time limits its diagnostic value. Aim of this study was the evaluation of cholesterol esterification (CE) fraction (esterified cholesterol vs. total cholesterol) as an alternative biomarker for liver synthesis and mortality prediction. Under physiological conditions the CE fraction in blood is closely regulated by lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) which is produced in the liver. Methods One hundred forty-two patients with liver disease clinically considered for orthotopic liver transplant for different indications were enrolled in the study. One patient was excluded because of the intake of a direct oral factor Xa inhibitor which has a strong impact on prothrombin time. Results Results of CE fraction were in good agreement with INR (R2 = 0.73; p

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only treatment for many patients with end-stage chronic liver diseases. In patients with complete vena cava inferior (VCI) cross-clamping veno-venous bypass (VVB) is either used or not depending on the indications. The case management of the patient with complete VCI cross-clamping depends on the initial state of the recipient and the transplant team’s opinion.Aim. To compare the perioperative period of OLT depending on the method to conduct the main stage of the surgery: with the use of veno-venous bypass and without it with complete VCI cross-clamping.Materials and methods. In Group 1 (n = 20), OLT was performed without VVB with complete VCI cross-clamping; in Group 2 (n = 26), the surgery was conducted with veno-venous bypass. Patients in both groups were similar in age (46.15 ± 10.22 and 47.3 ± 9.29, respectively), in severity of the disease: Child-Pugh (10.15 ± 1.42 and 10.19 ± 2.45), MELD 16.47 ± 4.41 and 15.8 ± 4.95).Results. We determined and evaluated hemodynamic parameters, oxygen transport, the quantitative and qualitative infusion composition, urine output, characteristics of the postoperative period.Conclusion. Our data show that changes in hemodynamic and oxygen transport are associated with reperfusion syndrome and do not depend on the method of transplantation. At the same time, it reduces the blood loss, time of surgery, and the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation and stay in the ICU after liver transplantation in patients without veno-venous bypass.

With the rising prevalence of organ transplantation, clinicians must be aware of the many potential complications that may arise. One such complication is post-transplantation melanoma. Herein, we present a case of advanced metastatic melanoma following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).  This is a 54-year-old cirrhotic male who underwent OLT that was complicated by metastatic melanoma. Despite adherence to yearly screening guidelines and timely radiation and immunotherapy, the disease course was rapidly progressive and fatal. This case aims to highlight the risk of post-transplantation melanoma and the potential need for screening modifications to identify melanoma earlier in its development.  The association between organ transplantation and melanoma is well-reported, but the underlying risks and mechanisms remain incompletely understood. One potential risk factor is post-transplant immunosuppressive therapy, which may result in fatally aggressive melanoma. Understanding the potential mortality risks in transplant patients, modifications to peri-transplant screening guidelines, and immunosuppressive therapy may be lifesaving., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Ortiz Muriel et al.)