Astrid Bauschke

Molecular adsorbent recirculating system and single-pass albumin dialysis in liver failure--a prospective, randomised crossover study.

BackgroundThe aim of extracorporeal albumin dialysis (ECAD) is to reduce endogenous toxins accumulating in liver failure. To date, ECAD is conducted mainly with the Molecular Adsorbents Recirculating System (MARS). However, single-pass albumin dialysis (SPAD) has been proposed as an alternative. The aim of this study was to compare the two devices with a prospective, single-centre, non-inferiority crossover study design with particular focus on reduction of bilirubin levels (primary endpoint) and influence on paraclinical and clinical parameters (secondary endpoints) associated with liver failure.MethodsPatients presenting with liver failure were screened for eligibility and after inclusion were randomly assigned to be started on either conventional MARS or SPAD (with 4 % albumin and a dialysis flow rate of 700 ml/h). Statistical analyses were based on a linear mixed-effects model.ResultsSixty-nine crossover cycles of ECAD in 32 patients were completed. Both systems significantly reduced plasma bilirubin levels to a similar extent (MARS: median −68 μmol/L, interquartile range [IQR] −107.5 to −33.5, p = 0.001; SPAD: −59 μmol/L, −84.5 to +36.5, p = 0.001). However, bile acids (MARS: −39 μmol/L, −105.6 to −8.3, p < 0.001; SPAD: −9 μmol/L, −36.9 to +11.4, p = 0.131), creatinine (MARS: −24 μmol/L, −46.5 to −8.0, p < 0.001; SPAD: −2 μmol/L, −9.0 to +7.0/L, p = 0.314) and urea (MARS: −0.9 mmol/L, −1.93 to −0.10, p = 0.024; SPAD: −0.1 mmol/L, −1.0 to +0.68, p = 0.523) were reduced and albumin-binding capacity was increased (MARS: +10 %, −0.8 to +20.9 %, p < 0.001; SPAD: +7 %, −7.5 to +15.5 %, p = 0.137) only by MARS. Cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 and hepatic encephalopathy were altered by neither MARS nor SPAD.ConclusionsBoth procedures were safe for temporary extracorporeal liver support. While in clinical practice routinely assessed plasma bilirubin levels were reduced by both systems, only MARS affected other paraclinical parameters (i.e., serum bile acids, albumin-binding capacity, and creatinine and urea levels). Caution should be taken with regard to metabolic derangements and electrolyte disturbances, particularly in SPAD using regional citrate anti-coagulation.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (www.drks.de) DRKS00000371. Registered 8 April 2010.

Waiting time, not donor-risk-index, is a major determinant for beneficial outcome after liver transplantation in high-MELD patients

BACKGROUND Due to the increasing donor shortage, patients undergo liver transplantation actually mostly with high MELD-scores. In this study, we analyze high-MELD patients who underwent liver transplantation at a german single center. MATERIAL AND METHODS Since implementation of the MELD-score within the Eurotransplant region (December 2006) up to May 2011, 45 patients with a lab-MELD-score ≥ 36 underwent liver transplantation at our center. We correlated the 1-year-survival with donor data (especially the donor risk index, DRI), the time interval from reaching a lab-MELD-score ≥ 36 up to liver transplantation and the recipients state prior transplantation. RESULTS The overall 1-year-survival in our cohort is 68,8%. Waiting time of survivors was significantly shorter compared to non-survivors (MedianSurvivors: 2 days vs. MedianNon-survivors: 4 days; p=0.049). DRI showed no significant differences between both groups. Furthermore, the recipients state prior transplantation (dialysis, mechanical ventilation, catecholamines) showed no significant association with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS The outcome after liver transplantation in high-MELD patients is worse compared to that of patients with a marked lower MELD-score. Especially the time interval between reaching a lab-MELD score ≥ 36 to the transplantation is a major determinant for survival. Since the DRI is not associated with a worsened outcome, transplantation centers should accept even marginal organs for high-MELD patients to keep the waiting time as short as possible.

ABO-Incompatible Living Donor Liver Transplantation in Focus of Antibody Rebound

Background: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an option to expand the donor organ pool for patients with life-threatening diseases who cannot be supplied with a cadaver organ. Next to the donor risks, complications after ABO-incompatible LDLT (ABOi LDLT) in the recipient are subject to controversial discussion. Improvement in ABOi graft survival rates have been achieved with plasma treatment procedures (PTP) and immunosuppression but antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and graft loss still occur. Methods: Since 2008, we have prepared 10 patients for ABOi LDLT. Seven of the 10 patients for transplantation had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results: All patients underwent PTP before and after ABOi LDLT as well as immunosuppression according to the treatment schedule. We did not use anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies in the transplant setting. We transplanted 6 of 10 preconditioned patients. After 3 years, 5 of the 6 transplanted patients were still alive. Conclusion: Even if B-cell depletion with anti-CD 20 treatment in the setting of ABOi LDLT is commonly accepted, our center successfully administered only quadruple drug immunosuppression combined with PTP. Especially patients with HCC had a high titer increment also pre-transplantation and were at high risk for arterial thrombosis and graft loss.

Current techniques for AB0-incompatible living donor liver transplantation

For a long time, it was considered medical malpractice to neglect the blood group system during transplantation. Because there are far more patients waiting for organs than organs available, a variety of attempts have been made to transplant AB0-incompatible (AB0i) grafts. Improvements in AB0i graft survival rates have been achieved with immunosuppression regimens and plasma treatment procedures. Nevertheless, some grafts are rejected early after AB0i living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) due to antibody mediated rejection or later biliary complications that affect the quality of life. Therefore, the AB0i LDLT is an option only for emergency situations, and it requires careful planning. This review compares the treatment possibilities and their effect on the patients’ graft outcome from 2010 to the present. We compared 11 transplant center regimens and their outcomes. The best improvement, next to plasma treatment procedures, has been reached with the prophylactic use of rituximab more than one week before AB0i LDLT. Unfortunately, no standardized treatment protocols are available. Each center treats its patients with its own scheme. Nevertheless, the transplant results are homogeneous. Due to refined treatment strategies, AB0i LDLT is a feasible option today and almost free of severe complications.

IgG4-related systemic disease – a rare indication for multi-visceral transplantation

Multivisceral transplantations (MVT) are rarely performed procedures. In this case report, we present a 37‐year‐old male patient with a large retroperitoneal tumor. After exclusion of malignancy, we performed MVT (distal stomach, liver, pancreas, and small bowel). After a follow‐up of 1 year, the patient is in good clinical condition. Histologic examination revealed a chronic sclerosing IgG4‐associated disease. Our case shows that MVT can be successfully performed in this rare disease.

Analysis of prognostic factors after resection of solitary liver metastasis in colorectal cancer: a 22-year bicentre study

PurposeThe investigation of the predictors of outcome after hepatic resection for solitary colorectal liver metastasis.MethodsWe recruited 350 patients with solitary colorectal liver metastasis at the University Hospitals of Jena and Magdeburg, who underwent curative liver resection between 1993 and 2014. All patients had follow-up until death or till summer 2016.ResultsThe follow-up data concern 96.6% of observed patients. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 47 and 28%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 30 and 20%, respectively. The analysis of the prognostic factors revealed that the pT category of primary tumour, size and grade of the metastasis and extension of the liver resection had no statistically significant impact on survival and recurrence rates. In multivariate analysis, age, status of lymph node metastasis at the primary tumour, location of primary tumour, time of appearance of the metastasis, the use of preoperative chemotherapy and the presence of extrahepatic tumour proved to be independent statistically significant predictors for the prognosis. Moreover, patients with rectal cancer had a lower intrahepatic recurrence rate, but a higher extrahepatic recurrence rate.ConclusionThe long-term follow-up of patients with R0-resected liver metastasis is multifactorially influenced. Age and comorbidity have a role only in the overall survival. More than three lymph node metastasis reduced both the overall and disease-free survival. Extrahepatic tumour had a negative influence on the extrahepatic recurrence and on the overall survival. Neither overall survival nor recurrence rates was improved using neoadjuvant chemotherapy.