Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) remains the only option for progressive acute fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). The overall one-year survival is approximately 58% versus 75% for all patients undergoing OLT. Nevertheless, this is superior to the results obtained with medical management alone, which carries a mortality of approximately 60-85%. Seven of 32 patients at Hartford Hospital (22%) received liver transplants for acute FHF; the one-year survival was 57%. Four of seven patients are alive with complete neurologic recovery. One case is presented in detail.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1991

Value of 111indium leukocyte scanning in febrile organ transplant patients.

Immunosuppressed febrile organ transplant patients present a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma since symptomatology is often altered by immunosuppression, which also masks the location of infection. Fifty 111indium leukocyte ( 111In WBC) scans were performed to determine their usefulness in the organ transplant patient. The results were compared with computerized tomography (CT) and gallium 67-citrate (Ga) scanning. Eleven patients received both 111In WBC and Ga scans; 22 received both 111In WBC and CT scans. Ten 111In WBC scans had subtraction of 99m Tc sulfur or albumin colloid for liver evaluation and four 111In WBC scans had subtraction of 99m Tc DMSA for kidney evaluation. The overall sensitivity and specificity for 111In WBC scans was 90% and 90%, respectively. Lung uptake was sensitive (89%) and specific (97%) for pulmonary infections, including bacterial, fungal and cytomegalovirus pneumonias. Renal graft uptake occurred in 15 cases (41%), all except 2 being due to rejection, pyelonephritis, urinary tract infections, or cytomegalovirus infections. Pyelonephritis and renal abscesses were diagnosed in 3 cases with 99m Tc DMSA subtraction. Perihepatic abscesses (2), and infected liver cysts (4) were diagnosed with 99m Tc sulfur or albumin colloid subtraction. There were five false-negative CT scans and three false-negative Ga scans. Therefore, when compared with 111In: sensitivity = 88% vs 64% (CT), specificity = 80% vs 86% (CT); and sensitivity = 111In 90% vs 67% (Ga), specificity = 100% for both 111In WBC and Ga scans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Noncompliance in organ transplant recipients.

The frequency of noncompliance with postoperative medical therapy ranges from 2% to 43% in organ transplant recipients and causes more graft loss than uncontrolled rejection in compliant patients. Retrospective and prospective studies undertaken at our center showed no difference in the rate of noncompliance between males and females or between recipients of cadaveric kidneys and those from living, related donors. Patients less than 20 years of age were statistically the most noncompliant (p = 0.0001) compared with those over 40 years. A significant difference in compliance was seen among blacks, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites, with the greatest frequency in blacks. This was not due to race, but to socioeconomic status, with those in the low socioeconomic group the most noncompliant. Problems of noncompliance may be reduced if they are identified early in the treatment course.

Humans↗

PubMed1991

A comparison of portal versus systemic venous drainage in the pig small-bowel allograft recipient.

The influence of portal versus systemic venous drainage on liver function, nutrition, and metabolism was studied in the pig small bowel allograft model. A total of 17 pigs received orthotopic small-bowel transplants with either portal or systemic venous drainage. There was no difference in survival between groups. No significant hepatic or metabolic abnormalities that are known to occur in total portosystemic shunting were seen in the group that underwent systemic venous drainage. Alterations in ammonia levels and amino acid analysis between both groups were minor. Histologic evidence of liver atrophy was not observed. Significant nutritional abnormalities were not seen, although weight gain was compromised in both groups. Our findings suggest that systemic venous drainage would be preferable in small-bowel transplantation because it is technically easier and safer to perform in the clinical setting.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1990

Liver transplant for metastatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Generally, the results of liver transplantation for metastatic liver disease have not been favorable. One exception has been the unique group of neuroendocrine tumors, the slow growth of which allows liver transplantation to effectively palliate and control symptoms. We report two cases: (a) A 51-year-old man who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation and resection of the pancreatic primary tumor for a nonfunctioning malignant neuroendocrine tumor with features of both carcinoid and islet-cell glucagonoma remains symptom-free and without evidence of tumor recurrence at 13 months follow-up. (b) A 47-year-old man who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation and Whipple resection for a metastatic islet-cell tumor in the head of the pancreas is fully recovered at 5 months follow-up.

Humans↗

PubMed1990

Noncompliance in organ transplant recipients.

Noncompliance with medication and follow-up care was evaluated in 538 renal, 50 heart, and 13 liver transplant recipients. In a retrospective review of 260 kidney transplant recipients followed from three months posttransplant, the incidence of medication noncompliance was 18%. It was 15% in a prospective study of 196 kidney recipients from 1984 to 1987. Patients most likely to become noncompliant were young and in a lower socioeconomic group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of noncompliance with respect to cadaveric vs. living-related donor kidney source, or in male vs. female patients. There was a higher incidence of noncompliance in blacks and Hispanics, but that may have been due to a higher incidence of lower socioeconomic status in those groups. Noncompliance can occur many years posttransplant and was seen in heart and liver transplant recipients. In the retrospective study, 91% of kidney transplant recipients who were noncompliant with medications and follow-up care either lost their grafts or died. Noncompliant behavior was usually not predictable and was often without an identifiable reason. Efforts to increase compliance, such as better patient selection, more education, and simplified medical regimens may have reduced the incidence of noncompliance in recent patients.

Black or African American↗

PubMed1990

Cyclosporine and anti-interleukin 2 receptor monoclonal antibody therapy suppress accelerated rejection of rat cardiac allografts through different effector mechanisms.

Increasing numbers of sensitized patients are either precluded from receiving an allograft or experience accelerated rejection which may be refractory to conventional therapy. Using a rat model, we have shown that accelerated (24 hr) rejection of LBN cardiac Tx in LEW rats sensitized with BN skin grafts 7 days earlier, could be prevented by treatment with cyclosporine (15 mg/kg/day x7 days, Tx survival about 42 days) or ART-18, an anti-IL-2R mAb (300 micrograms/kg/day x10 days i.v., Tx survival about 16 days). In this study, we evaluated intragraft mechanisms responsible for these effects by immunoperoxidase localization of relevant humoral mediators (IgG, IgM, C3, cross-linked fibrin), graft infiltrating cells (GIC), and associated cytokines (IL-2, IFN-g, tumor necrosis factor [TNF], or cytokine receptors (IL-2R). Tx rejected in fulminating fashion by 24 hr in sensitized hosts showed extensive and progressive endothelial deposition of IgG, C3, and fibrin from 2 hr, followed by an influx of neutrophils at 3 hr, and peak numbers of GIC by 18 hr (88.8 +/- 20.3 leukocytes/field). At 18 hr, GIC consisted of neutrophils (26%), T cells (20%, greater than 90% of which were OX-8+), and monocytes/macrophages (53%), whereas B cells were absent. By 18 hr, up to 20% of GIC were IFN-g+, 10% were IL-2R+, and 10% were IL-2+, consistent with labeling of 20% of cells with OX-22. Widespread endothelial and mononuclear cell labeling for TNF and the procoagulant molecular tissue factor (TF) were also noted. In contrast to untreated grafts, CsA treatment essentially abolished intragraft Ig, C3, and fibrin deposition. Moreover, despite dense cell infiltration at 24 hr (total GIC 55.3 +/- 13.4/field), analysis of CsA-treated Tx showed markedly decreased neutrophils (0.5%), with increased T cells (35%) and similar proportions of macrophages (66%). In addition to the reduction in neutrophils, Ig and C3, fewer IL-2R+ (6%) and OX-22+ (3%) cells, considerably less TNF and TF, and almost no IL-2+ or IFN-g+ GIC (less than 1%) were detected. Surprisingly, ART-18 treatment also greatly decreased but did not abolish endothelial deposition of C3, IgG, or IgM, whereas widespread endothelial and mononuclear labeling for fibrin, TNF, and TF remained. In addition, GIC (about 54.8 +/- 16.1/field) contained only moderately reduced numbers of neutrophils (31%) and the proportions of T cells (27%) and macrophages (49%) were generally comparable to those of rejecting Tx in untreated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1990