Aparna Goel

Identification of liver transplant candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma and a very low dropout risk: Implications for the current organ allocation policy

It has been shown that patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) meeting the United Network for Organ Sharing T2 (Milan) criteria have an advantage in comparison with patients without HCC under the current organ allocation system for liver transplantation (LT). We hypothesized that within the T2 HCC group, there is a subgroup with a low risk of wait‐list dropout that should not receive the same listing priority. This study evaluated 398 consecutive patients with T2 HCC listed for LT with a Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease exception from March 2005 to January 2011 at our center. Competing risk (CR) regression was used to determine predictors of dropout. The probabilities of dropout due to tumor progression or death without LT according to the CR analysis were 9.4% at 6 months and 19.6% at 12 months. The median time from listing to LT was 8.8 months, and the median time from listing to dropout or death without LT was 7.2 months. Significant predictors of dropout or death without LT according to a multivariate CR regression included 1 tumor of 3.1 to 5 cm (versus 1 tumor of 3 cm or less), 2 or 3 tumors, a lack of a complete response to the first locoregional therapy (LRT), and a high alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) level after the first LRT. A subgroup (19.9%) that met certain criteria (1 tumor of 2 to 3 cm, a complete response after the first LRT, and an AFP level ≤ 20 ng/mL after the first LRT) had 1‐ and 2‐year probabilities of dropout of 1.3% and 1.6%, respectively, whereas the probabilities were 21.6% and 26.5% for all other patients (P = 0.004). In conclusion, a combination of tumor characteristics and a complete response to the first LRT define a subgroup of patients with a very low risk of wait‐list dropout who do not require the same listing priority. Our results may have important implications for the organ allocation policy for HCC. Liver Transpl 19:1343‐1353, 2013.

The features of mucosa-associated microbiota in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Little is known about the role of the microbiome in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

The Housestaff Incentive Program: improving the timeliness and quality of discharge summaries by engaging residents in quality improvement

Background Quality improvement has become increasingly important in the practice of medicine; however, engaging residents in meaningful projects within the demanding training environment remains challenging. Methods We conducted a year-long quality improvement project involving internal medicine residents at an academic medical centre. Resident champions designed and implemented a discharge summary improvement bundle, which employed an educational curriculum, an electronic discharge summary template, regular data feedback and a financial incentive. The timeliness and quality of discharge summaries were measured before and after the intervention. Residents and faculty were surveyed about their perceptions of the project; primary care providers were surveyed about their satisfaction with hospital provider communication. Results With implementation of the bundle, the average time from patient discharge to completion of the discharge summary fell from 3.5 to 0.61 days (p<0.001). The percentage of summaries completed on the day of discharge rose from 38% to 83% (p<0.001) and this improvement was sustained for 6 months following the end of the project. The percentage of summaries that included all recommended elements increased from 5% to 88% (p<0.001). Primary care providers reported a lower likelihood of discharge summaries being unavailable at the time of outpatient follow-up (38% to 4%, p<0.001). Residents reported that the systems changes, more than the financial incentive, accounted for their behaviour change. Conclusions Our discharge summary improvement project provides an instructive example of how residents can lead clinically meaningful quality improvement projects.

Hepatic artery and biliary complications in liver transplant recipients undergoing pretransplant transarterial chemoembolization.

Liver transplantation (LT) is the treatment of choice for patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not amenable to resection. Locoregional therapies for HCC are often used to reduce tumor burden, bridge patients to LT, and down‐stage HCC so that patients are eligible for LT. We hypothesized that prior endovascular antitumor therapy may increase the risk of hepatic artery (HA) and biliary complications after LT. The aim of this study was to compare HA and biliary complications in LT recipients with HCC who received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) before LT with complications in LT recipients with HCC who did not receive TACE before LT. This was a retrospective cohort study of HCC patients at two transplant centers. The prevalence of HA complications (HA thrombosis, stenosis, or pseudoaneurysm) and biliary complications (nonanastomotic stricture, bile leak, and diffuse injury) were compared between patients treated with or without TACE. There were 456 HCC patients with a median age of 61 years (77% were male, and 63% had hepatitis C virus), and 328 (72%) received TACE before LT. The overall prevalence of HA complications was 4.7% in the no‐TACE group and 7.9% in the TACE group (P = 0.22). All HA stenosis complications (n = 14) occurred in the TACE group (P = 0.018 versus the no‐TACE group). An older donor age and a lower albumin level significantly increased the odds of HA complications. There was a nonstatistically significant increased odds of HA complications in the TACE group versus the no‐TACE group according to an adjusted analysis (odds ratio = 2.02, 95% confidence interval = 0.79‐5.16, P = 0.14). The overall prevalence of biliary complications was 16.4% in the no‐TACE group and 19.8% in the TACE group (P = 0.40). In conclusion, a lower pre‐LT albumin level and an older donor age were significantly associated with higher odds of HA complications after LT. TACE was not associated with higher odds of overall HA complications but was associated with a higher prevalence of HA stenosis. Further studies are warranted to confirm the HA stenosis findings and elucidate the pathogenesis. Liver Transpl 20:1221‐1228, 2014.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: rifaximin for the prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

The primary and secondary prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is recommended in high‐risk patients with cirrhosis. Several studies evaluating the efficacy of rifaximin for SBP prophylaxis have yielded conflicting results. Rifaximin has the potential advantage of preventing bacterial overgrowth and translocation without the systemic side effects of broad‐spectrum antibiotics.

A systematic model improves hepatitis C virus birth cohort screening in hospital-based primary care.

Despite national and local governing board recommendations in the United States of America to perform an HCV screening test in baby boomers, screening rates remain low. Our goal was to study the impact of an HCV screening and link‐to‐care programme with patient navigation in two New York City primary care practices. This was a 2‐year prospective study of patients born between 1945‐1965 (“baby boomers”) with encounters at two primary care practices at the Mount Sinai Hospital between November 1, 2013 and November 30, 2015. Baseline HCV screening rates were collected for four months. A multifaceted intervention was sequentially implemented involving electronic alerts, housestaff education, data feedback and patient navigation. HCV screening rates and link to care, defined as attending an appointment with a viral hepatitis specialist, were compared before and after these interventions. There were 14 642 primary care baby boomer patients of which 4419 (30.2%) were newly screened during the study. There was a significant increase in HCV screening rates from 55% to 75% (P<.01) with an HCV seropositive rate of 3.3%. Factors associated with being HCV seropositive included older age (P<.01), male sex (P<.01), African American race (P<.01) and receiving care in the housestaff practice (P<.01). With patient navigation, 78 of 84 (93%) newly diagnosed HCV‐infected persons were referred to a specialist and 60 (77%) attended their first appointment. A structured, multifaceted HCV screening programme using well‐studied principles identifies a large number of undiagnosed baby boomers within hospital‐based primary care and improves access to specialty providers in a timely manner.

Timing of Hepatitis C Virus Treatment in Liver Transplant Candidates in the Era of Direct-acting Antiviral Agents

Abstract Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States. While most patients with chronic HCV infection remain asymptomatic, up to one-third develop progressive liver disease resulting in cirrhosis. LT is often the only curative treatment once significant hepatic decompensation develops. However, antiviral therapy for HCV infection has advanced markedly in the past 5 years with the discovery and approval of direct-acting antiviral agents. These new regimens are well tolerated, of short duration and highly effective, unlike the traditional treatment with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin. As achieving sustained virological response becomes increasingly attainable for a majority of HCV-infected patients, concerns have been raised regarding the optimal timing of treatment for HCV infection in the setting of end-stage liver disease and during the peri-transplant period. On one hand, HCV treatment may improve hepatic function and negate the need for LT in some, which is crucial given the scarcity of donor organs and mortality on the waiting list in certain regions. On the other hand, HCV treatment may result in lowering the priority for LT without improving quality of life, thereby delaying potentially curative LT surgery. This review evaluates the evidence supporting the use of direct-acting antiviral agents in the period before and following LT.

A Real-World Evaluation of Repeat Paracentesis-guided Management of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis.

Background: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common infection in cirrhosis associated with high mortality. More than 20% of patients with SBP do not respond to initial antibiotics. Guidelines differ in recommendations to repeat paracentesis (retap) to confirm antibiotic efficacy. We aim to evaluate the effect of retap-guided management of SBP on antibiotic escalation and 30-day transplant-free survival. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study of cirrhotic patients with SBP admitted to a single transplant center from 2010 to 2014. Patients were divided into 2 groups: retap-guided management versus no retap. Prevalence of initial antibiotic treatment failure, defined as <25% decrease in ascitic polymorphonuclear cells, and factors associated with treatment failure, antibiotic escalation and 30-day transplant-free survival were evaluated. Results: Out of 210 patients, 146 (age 58, 74% male, mean model for end-stage liver disease score, 25) had retap and treatment failure was noted in 28 (22%). Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 44% of all positive cultures and third-generation cepahalosporin resistance was noted in 23%. Thirty-day transplant-free survival was 72% and 62% in retap and control groups, respectively (P=0.07). Treatment failure independently doubled the 30-day mortality rate (hazard ratio: 2.15, 1.03 to 4.50, P=0.04). After adjusting for age, model for end-stage liver disease and nosocomial infection, retap-guided management was not associated with improved survival (P=0.34). Conclusions: The prevalence of initial treatment failure is high (22%) in patients with SBP and doubles the 30-day mortality risk, supporting recommendations to retap all patients with SBP.

Editorial: rifaximin-a kick in the gut for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis? Authors’ reply

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Clinical Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health challenge with over 75 million people affected globally. The widespread transmission of the virus in the past century has created a large infectious reservoir, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There remain 1–2 million new HCV infections worldwide every year.