BACKGROUND: In domino liver transplantation (LT), the explanted liver of a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is donated to another patient. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between February 1999 and March 2001 we performed 131 LT with 121 cadaveric donors in our unit. Ten domino LTs were performed. RESULTS: Patients with FAP were younger (37 years) than recipients of the second LT (64 years). The evolution of patients undergoing transplantation for FAP was excellent and all are currently alive and without complications. Among recipients of the second LT, one patient died in the postoperative period. A further two patients died from tumoral recurrence and hepatitis C virus recurrence 18 months and 9 months after transplantation, respectively. The remaining patients have shown no symptoms of FAP during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that domino LT is technically feasible. The technique increases the number of grafts without apparent risk either to the recipient with FAP or to the recipient of the latter's explanted liver.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

The impact of donor age on liver transplantation: influence of donor age on early liver function and on subsequent patient and graft survival.

BACKGROUND: The urgent need to increase the organ donor pool has led to the expansion of criteria for donor selection. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of donor age on early graft function, subsequent graft loss, and mortality after liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: Data on LT were evaluated retrospectively in a population-based cohort of 400 LTs in 348 patients. Of these, 21 (5%) were from donors >70 years old. Pretransplantation donor and recipient characteristics and the evolution of recipients were analyzed. The influence of donor age as a risk factor was assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Actuarial graft survival was 89% at 1 month after LT, 81% after 6 months, and 59% after 60 months. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only donor age (>70 years old) was associated with a higher risk of long-term graft loss (relative risk [RR]=1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1-1.9; P=0.03) and mortality (RR=1.7, 95% CI=1.2-2.3; P=0.01). Graft survival of septuagenarian livers was 80% at 1 month after LT, 56% after 6 months, and 25% after 54 months. Actuarial survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier curves) also demonstrated worse evolution in recipients of livers from old donors (log-rank test, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced donor age is associated with lower graft and recipient survival.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Clinical study of 437 consecutive hepatectomies].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the risk of liver resection in unselected patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1990 to 2000, 437 consecutive hepatectomies were performed in our center. Most frequent indications were liver metastases (n = 288), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 62), Klatskin tumor (n = 17), gallblader carcinoma (n = 139) and other malignant tumors (n = 6). The indication was a benign tumor in 51 patients. In 357 cases the liver parenchyma was normal, 51 patients had an underlying cirrhosis and 17 patients had an obstructive jaundice. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 3.6% (15 cases). Mortality in benign tumors was lacking. The prevalence of postoperative complications was 43.9%, which was mainly influenced by malignancy (46.9% vs 21.6%, p = 0.001) and type of tumor (Klastkin tumor, p # 0.001). Major liver resection (p < 0.001), blood transfusion (p < 0.001), age over 60 years (p = 0.001) and the type of hepatectomy (p < 0.001) also increased significantly the morbidity. The prevalence of biliary fistula was 11.2%, which was mainly related to the type of hepatectomy (major hepatectomy; p = 0.002) and a biliary-enteric anastomosis (p < 0.001). The prevalence of hepatic insufficiency was 3.6%, and chief risk factors for its development were underlying liver disease and major liver resection (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality after hepatectomy in experienced centers is low. Morbidity is mainly related to the amount of parenchyma resected, type of hepatectomy, underlying liver disease and associated procedures. Liver resection should be performed preferentially in centers with high volume by specialized surgeons.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

[Sequential liver transplantation: description of the first three patients in Spain].

BACKGROUND: Domino or sequential liver transplantation (DTXL) is a kind of living donor transplant, which was proposed in 1993 and performed for the first time in 1995; later on, more than 45 have been reported. The liver from a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy(FAP) is used to another patient aged more than 60 with hepatic disease generally cancer, because FAP livers are anatomically and functionally normal except for the synthesis of the systemic TTR variant which only could generate FAP in the recipient after more than 8 years. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The three first cases of DTXL performed in Spain are presented. The donors were FAPTTRMet30 patients from the Major can focus. The first recipient showed severe hyperinsulinism due to metastatic liver from malignant insulinoma; the others had hepatocellular carcinoma on a cirrhotic liver. RESULTS: During the post operatory period liver function of recipients was perfect,and hyperinsulinism disappeared in the first; this patient died after 10 days by sepsis whereas the others showed normal liver function, no recurrent cancer nor onset of FAP. The donors outcome was normal with perfect liver function. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, in agreement with previous reports, we conclude that DTXH is valid procedure for a selected patient group. In addition they increase the pool of liver donors and therefore diminish the overloaded waiting lists.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Heart and liver xenotransplantation under low-dose tacrolimus: graft survival after withdrawal of immunosuppression.

BACKGROUND: The hamster-to-rat xenotransplantation model is a useful model to investigate the features of extended host response to long-surviving xenografts. Early xenoantibody responses are T-cell independent and resistant to tacrolimus. Treatment with the combination of mofetil mycophenolate plus FK506 avoids acute xenograft rejection completely, but after withdrawal of immunosuppression hamster grafts are rejected by a process called late xenograft rejection (LXR). METHODS: Hamster hearts and livers were transplanted into Lewis rats. Grafted rats were treated with mofetil mycophenolate (25 mg/kg/day) for 8 days and FK506 (0.2 mg/kg/day) for 31 days. Serum IgM and IgG levels were determined by flow cytometry and interferon-gamma levels by ELISA. IgM, IgG, and C3 deposits were measured in tissue by immunofluorescence, and leukocyte infiltration was measured by immunoperoxidase staining. Results. Survival of heart and liver xenografts in the rats was 48+/-4 days and 63+/-8 days, respectively. After cessation of all immunosuppression, hearts were rejected in 18+/-4 days and livers in 33+/-8 days. Production sequences of xenoantibodies in the two organs differed substantially, especially 7 days after transplantation and at the moment of rejection. Quantification of interferon-gamma levels indicated that there were no significant changes after transplantation. Histological and immunohistochemical studies showed signs of humoral mechanism of LXR in rats undergoing heart transplantation and cellular mechanism of LXR in those that received a liver transplant. Conclusions. These observations suggest that rejection in the hamster-to-rat heart xenotransplantation model is mediated by a T cell-independent B-cell response to which a T cell-dependent B-cell response is added in LXR. In the liver xenotransplantation model, our hypothesis is that LXR is mediated by a mixed cell mechanism, involving lymphocytes CD4+ CD45RC+, macrophages, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In summary, we have demonstrated and compared the peculiar features of LXR in two different organs.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Q-wave evolution of a first acute myocardial infarction without significant ST segment elevation.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with acute myocardial infarction presenting without significant ST segment elevation develop a Q-wave infarction. It is unclear whether these patients can be identified from the admission electrocardiogram (ECG) and whether they differ in their in-hospital prognosis from those who retain a non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. METHODS: In 432 consecutive patients admitted to our centre with a first acute myocardial infarction without Q waves and with ST segment amplitudes < or =0.1 mV on admission, we assessed the frequency, the electrocardiographic predictors and the short-term implications of a Q-wave evolution. RESULTS: In 94 patients (22%), a Q-wave myocardial infarction evolved before hospital discharge (14 anterior, 26 inferior, six lateral, and 48 posterior). Minor anterior ST segment elevation was 36% sensitive and 95% specific in predicting anterior Q waves; minor inferior ST segment elevation, 42% and 89%, respectively, for inferior Q waves; and a maximal ST segment depression > or =0.2 mV in leads V2-V3 with upright T waves and without remote ST segment depression, 38% and 97%, respectively, for posterior R waves. Although patients with a Q-wave evolution had a greater creatinkinase MB peak than those retaining a non-Q-wave pattern (191+/-113 vs. 105+/-77 IU/l, respectively, P<0.001), they experienced a benign in-hospital course, with similar risk of severe complications after adjustment for the baseline clinical predictors than non-Q-wave patients. CONCLUSIONS: About one fifth of patients with a first acute myocardial infarction without a significant ST segment elevation develop a Q-wave infarction and the admission ECG can help identify them. This evolution, however, is not associated with a worse in-hospital outcome.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed2001

Severe spontaneous coronary spasm of a non-infarct related artery during an acute myocardial infarction.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Coronary Angiography↗

PubMed2001

Survival following self-limited left ventricular free wall rupture during myocardial infarction. Management differences between patients with or without pseudoaneurysm formation.

The clinical, angiographic and therapeutic features of eight patients who developed a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (PA) after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and those of 25 who did not develop this complication following a medically managed left ventricular free wall rupture (FWR) were compared. These 25 patients were treated with pericardiocentesis, extended rest and strict blood pressure control. Most patients with FWR or PA had a first AMI and absence of overt heart failure. Both groups had a comparable age, frequency of systemic hypertension and extent of coronary disease. Pericardial effusion (> or =10 mm) was documented in all patients with FWR and in two of the three with PA with this information. Twenty four patients with FWR were hospitalized within the first 48 h (96%) but only three of those with PA (37.5%, P<0.002). Moreover, in patients with PA, a FWR was not suspected during AMI and, as opposed to those with FWR, they did not undergo a strict blood pressure control or a restriction of physical activity following AMI. Also, beta blockers were administered to 15 patients with FWR (60%) but to only one with PA (11%, P<0.02). Our findings suggest that failure to recognise a self limited FWR during AMI and to provide adequate control of blood pressure and physical exercise during the acute phase and the early weeks postinfarction, are likely to favor development of PA.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

[Prognostic value of cardiac perfusion scintigraphy associated with the dobutamine test in acute coronary syndromes].

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to establish the value of myocardial ischemia induced by the dobutamine infusion test associated to 99m technetium isonitrile single photon emission computed tomography in patients with unstable angina or non Q-wave infarction during the first days in the Coronary Care Unit. METHODS: Fifty three patients with unstable coronary syndromes and common medical treatment were studied with a moderate-dose dobutamine test (5 to 20 microgram/Kg/min) using a 99mTc-MIBI SPECT. The results were correlated with the incidence of recurrent angina, infarction, death or revascularization. RESULTS: The dobutamine test induced a reversible perfusion defect in 36 patients (68%) and angina in 12 of them (12/36, 33%). However, the patients who had a positive test had a similar incidence of events as those with a negative test (58% vs 59%). Thus, while the sensitivity of the dobutamine test to identify patients at risk was relatively high (68%), its specificity (32%) and its negative predictive value (41%) were low. The patients with dobutamine-induced angina, however, had a higher scintigraphy score (3.0 +/- 1,7 vs 1.6 +/- 1.8, p < 0.02) and a higher incidence of recurrent angina (8/12, 67% vs 13/41, 31%, p < 0.04) than those without, at a comparable double product. CONCLUSIONS: In conventionally treated patients with unstable coronary syndromes, the specificity of the inducible scintigraphic ischemia with moderate dose of dobutamine performed during the first days is too low to be used as a marker for in-hospital events. However, inducible angina with dobutamine suggests an extensive jeopardized area and/or a particularly reduced ischemic threshold.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed2001

[Fibrinolytic treatment for patients with prosthesis thrombosis and high surgical risk].

We retrospectively analyzed the response to fibrinolytic treatment in a group of 5 patients with prosthetic thrombosis, one of whom was a pregnant woman. All the patients were in functional class IV (NYHA), and the risk of surgery was considered very high for the following reasons: cardiogenic shock in 2 cases, severe depression of ventricular function in 1 case, and 3 and 4 prior interventions in 2 patients. The treatment was effective in 4 cases and the fifth patient died in cardiogenic shock. There were no major hemorrhagic complications and one case of peripheral embolism was detected. The treatment was effective and no obstetric or fetal complications were observed in the pregnant woman. We believe that fibrinolytic treatment is a good alternative for patients with prosthetic thrombosis and very high surgical risk and it may even be effective during pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Resection rate and effect of postoperative chemotherapy on survival after surgery for colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether adjuvant therapy can improve survival after curative resection of colorectal liver metastases. METHODS: Some 235 patients had 256 liver resections for metastatic colorectal cancer. There were no predefined criteria for resectability with regard either to the number or size of the tumours or to locoregional invasion, except that resection had potentially to be complete and macroscopically curative. All patients who had curative hepatic resection were advised to start postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: The resectability rate in screened patients was 91 per cent (235 of 259 patients); the postoperative mortality rate was 4 per cent. In 35 patients resection of the primary tumour was performed simultaneously with partial liver resection. Forty-four patients (19 per cent) developed intra-abdominal recurrence; 14 (6 per cent) underwent reoperation and the recurrent tumour was resected. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 99 patients (55 per cent), most treatments being based on 5-fluorouracil with folinic acid. The overall actuarial survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 87, 60 and 36 per cent respectively. In a multivariate analysis, four or more metastases, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level higher than 5 ng/ml and a positive resection margin were independent predictors of poor outcome. Adjuvant chemotherapy improved the 5-year survival rate to 53 per cent. CONCLUSION: This study provides some evidence that postoperative chemotherapy is beneficial; however, prospective randomized studies are necessary to define its exact role.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Postreperfusion biopsies are useful in predicting complications after liver transplantation.

Biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may occur because of preservation injury (PI). In this study, we examine findings on routine reperfusion biopsy specimens in relation to the occurrence of biliary complications and graft outcome. From 1997 to 2000, a total of 193 OLTs were performed in our center. Postreperfusion biopsy specimens were analyzed and histological lesions were graded. For analysis, grafts were grouped into 2 categories: the presence or absence of PI (severe to moderate lesions versus mild or no lesions). Histological evidence of PI was present in 17% of the biopsy specimens. The incidence of grafts with PI and ischemia time longer than 12 hours was 38% compared with 14% in PI and short ischemia time (P =.02). Biliary complications were also more frequent in the PI group (28% v 14%; P =.03). Study of risk factors by means of logistic regression analysis confirmed that the PI group had a greater risk for biliary complications (relative risk, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1 to 7.4; P =.03). Moreover, moderate macrovesicular steatosis was found in 6% of the grafts, resulting in a 40% graft loss rate. We found that an increased presence of neutrophilic infiltrates in the postreperfusion biopsy specimen, indicating PI, was related to an increased incidence of biliary complications. Moreover, moderate macrovesicular steatosis was associated with increased graft loss. Therefore, postreperfusion biopsies are useful in anticipating post-OLT complications.

Adult↗