How to identify early graft dysfunction preoperatively?

Small-for-size graft dysfunction (SFSGD) following living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) is characterized by early graft dysfunction (EGD) when the graft-to-recipient body weight ratio (GRBWR) is below 0.8%. However, patients transplanted with GRBWR above 0.8% can develop dysfunction of the graft.

A research team, led by Dr. Salvatore Gruttadauria from University of Pittsburgh analyzed a group of LRLT recipients in order to identify those who developed a clinical picture of SFSGD in the absence of a GBWR of < 0.8% and with a ratio of graft volume (GV) relative to the standard liver volume (SLV) of the recipient (GV/SLV) highest than 30%. Those patients were defined as affected by early graft dysfunction (EGD).

Their study will be published on September 28, 2009 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.

In this study, a trend in favor of the non-EGD group (3-mo actuarial survival 98% vs 88%, P = 0.09; 3-mo graft mortality 4.7% vs 20%, P = 0.07) was observed as well as shorter length of stay (LOS) (13 d vs 41.5 d; P = 0.001) and smaller requirement of peri-operative Units of Plasma (4 vs 14; P = 0.036). Univariate analysis of pre-transplant variables identified platelet count, serum bilirubin, INR and Meld-Na score as predictors of EGD. In the multivariate analysis transplant Meld-Na score (P = 0.025, OR: 1.175) and pre-transplant platelet count (P = 0.043, OR: 0.956) were independently associated with EGD.

They drew a conclusion that a prompt recognition of EGD can trigger a timely and appropriate treatment.

Reference: Gruttadauria S, di Francesco F, Vizzini GB, Luca A, Spada M, Cintorino D, Li Petri S, Pietrosi G, Pagano D, Gridelli B. Early graft dysfunction following adult-to-adult living-related liver transplantation: Predictive factors and outcomes. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15(36): 4556-4560

http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/15/4556.asp

Correspondence to: Salvatore Gruttadauria, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Coordinator Abdominal Adult Transplant. ISMETT (Mediterranean Institute for Transplant and Advanced Specialized Therapies, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Italy), Via E. Tricomi N. 1, 90127 Palermo, Italy.

About World Journal of Gastroenterology

World Journal of Gastroenterology (WJG), a leading international journal in gastroenterology and hepatology, has established a reputation for publishing first class research on esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, viral hepatitis, colorectal cancer, and H pylori infection and provides a forum for both clinicians and scientists. WJG has been indexed and abstracted in Current Contents/Clinical Medicine, Science Citation Index Expanded (also known as SciSearch) and Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition, Index Medicus, MEDLINE and PubMed, Chemical Abstracts, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, Abstracts Journals, Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology and Hepatology, CAB Abstracts and Global Health. ISI JCR 2008 IF: 2.081. WJG is a weekly journal published by WJG Press. The publication dates are the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day of every month. WJG is supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30224801 and No. 30424812, and was founded with the name of China National Journal of New Gastroenterology on October 1, 1995, and renamed WJG on January 25, 1998.

October 16, 2009