Başkent Üniversitesi Makaleler
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Item Interventional Radiology in Liver Transplant(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2008-06) Boyvat, Fatih; Haberal, Mehmet; Karakayali, Hamdi; Aytekin, CuneytAn increased number of transplant centers now actively perform deceased-donor as well as living-related liver transplants. Although postoperative vascular and nonvascular complications after liver transplant have been well documented, early diagnosis and intervention are important to increase graft and recipient survival. With improvements in interventional radiologic techniques and a multidisciplinary approach to liver transplant, management of complications by percutaneous and endovascular techniques is possible with less morbidity and mortality. This article outlines the recent developments in, and applications of, interventional radiologic techniques in liver transplant patients.Item Lymphedema Tarda After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2006-12) Saab, Sammy; Nguyen, Stephen; Collins, James; Kunder, Gregg; Busuttil, Ronald W.We present a patient with lymphedema that developed after orthotopic liver transplantation. The cause of the posttransplant lymphedema was likely related to a developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system that was exaggerated by refractory chylous ascites. A peritoneal fluid with a milky appearance, chylous ascites is rich in triglyceride and is caused by the obstruction or disruption of abdominal lymphatic channels. It is a rare complication that may develop after trauma or abdominal surgery or as a result of a malignant disease [1], and it is even more uncommon after liver transplantation [2]. Therapy for chylous ascites involves treating its underlying cause. In the patient we describe, lymphedema tarda, which was diagnosed 6 months after liver transplantation, was likely caused by chylous ascites and a developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system.Item Liver Resection and Transplantation in the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2006-12) Kassahun, Woubet T.; Fangmann, Josef; Harms, Jens; Hauss, Johann; Bartels, MichaelHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for more than 80% of all primary liver cancers and is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Most patients with HCC also suffer from concomitant cirrhosis, which is the major clinical risk factor for hepatic cancer and results from alcoholism, infection with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus, and other causes. HCC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when established treatment options provide limited benefit. Effective treatment for HCC includes liver resection and liver transplantation. Under most clinical circumstances, those options provide a high rate of complete response and are thought to improve survival. Partial hepatectomy is the therapy of choice in patients with HCC and a noncirrhotic liver. Usually, liver transplantation is not indicated for such patients, although in individual cases, transplantation may be considered. For most cirrhotic patients who fulfill the Milan criteria, liver transplantation is the ultimate treatment option. Liver transplantation restores liver function and ensures the removal of all hepatic foci of tumor as well as tissue with a high oncogenic potential for early tumor recurrence. Because of the present lack of available organs, living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an increasingly popular alternative. LDLT enables recipients to avoid a long pretransplantation waiting time and increases the number of livers available for transplantation. It is also the most effective approach to reducing the dropout rate. Strategies to reduce tumor growth in patients who are awaiting liver transplantation are important to ensure that those individuals continue to fulfill the Milan criteria for transplantation. For that purpose, using ablative techniques or chemoembolization to control local tumor growth is useful.Item Monitoring Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in HCMV-Seropositive Orthotopic Liver-transplant Recipients by Means of Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2006-12) Mengelle, Catherine; Abravanel-Legrand, Florence; Kamar, Nassim; Alain, Sophie; Basse, Grégoire; Pillet, Adèle; Lavayssière, Laurence; Suc, Bertrand; Izopet, Jacques; Rostaing, LionelObjective: Human Cytomegalovirus can be reactivated after orthotopic liver transplantation in patients who are seropositive for cytomegalovirus. Whether those cytomegalovirus-seropositive patients require immediate posttransplant (anti)cytomegalovirus prophylactic therapy or preemptive treatment as opposed to deferred treatment remains controversial. The aims of our study were to evaluate the relevance of cytomegalovirus monitoring with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in whole blood and to analyze the factors that determine the treatment of the first episode of cytomegalovirus infection with intravenous ganciclovir in seropositive liver-transplant patients. Patients and Methods: Forty-two cytomegalovirus-seropositive liver-transplant patients were assessed for cytomegalovirus DNAemia every 2 weeks until posttransplant day 90 and every 3 to 4 weeks until day 180. Biochemical and hematologic parameters were also prospectively monitored. Results: Cytomegalovirus DNAemia was detected at least once in 27 patients (64%). Treatment was initiated in 12 patients (group 1) but not in 15 others (group 2). Median HCMV viral loads of the first positive and the highest DNAemia were statistically higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P = 0.01). Univariate analysis of DNAemia showed that alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P = .0011) and that hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (P = .0443). The results of multivariate analysis showed that the only factor that predicted the treatment of the first episode of HCMV DNAemia was a level of alkaline phosphatase greater than 150 IU/L [odds ratio, 20; range, 1.97-203.32; P = .01]. Conclusions: A combination of criteria, including viral-load kinetics, clinical factors, alkaline phosphatase levels (in particular), and the patient’s immune condition, is required to efficiently monitor patients who are seropositive for cytomegalovirus after orthotopic liver transplantation.Item Determinants of Fasting Total Serum Homocysteine Levels in Liver Transplant Recipients(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2006-06) Akoglu, Bora; Wondra, Kathrin; Caspary, Wolfgang F.; Dominik, FaustObjectives: Homocysteine (HCY) is a sulfur-containing amino acid considered to be a marker for a relative folate deficiency. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease, vascular dementia, depression, and possibly some carcinogeneses. Liver transplant recipients have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease because of a high incidence of obesity, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. The aim of this study is to elucidate the determinants for hyperhomocysteinemia as an additional risk factor in these patients. Materials and Methods: Seventy stable liver transplant recipients, 48 men (mean age, 50 ± 11 years) and 22 women (mean age, 52 ± 13 years) had their serum homocysteine levels tested after orthotopic liver transplantation. For mainstay immunosuppression, 53 patients were treated with tacrolimus, 10 with cyclosporine, 3 with mycophenolate mofetil, and 4 with sirolimus. Fasting blood samples were obtained and analyzed immediately (within 1 hour) for total serum homocysteine by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: In all patients, mean homocysteine levels were 22.7 ± 14 µmol/L (normal range, 9-15 µmol/L). Forty-six patients were found to have homocysteine levels > 15 µmol/L, and all 70 recipients had homocysteine levels > 9 µmol/mL. In our patients, increased homocysteine levels correlated well with body mass index and renal function. Homocysteine levels in patients receiving cyclosporine were higher than those in patients receiving tacrolimus (22.3 ± 6 vs 17.9 ± 12 µmol/L, P < .05). Conclusions: Overall, homocysteine levels are significantly increased in liver transplant recipients. Homocysteine levels correlate well with obesity, renal function, and the particular immunosuppressant protocol. Therefore, a specific treatment for patients after liver transplantation (eg, one with folates) might reduce the risk of complications resulting from hyperhomocysteinemia.Item The MELD Score in Advanced Liver Disease: Association with Clinical Portal Hypertension and Mortality(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2006-06) Saab, Sammy; Landaverde, Carmen; Ibrahim, Ayman B.; Durazo, Francisco; Han, Steven; Yersiz, Hasan; Farmer, Douglas G; Ghobrial, R Mark; Goldstein, Leonard I.; Tong, Myron J.; Busuttil, Ronald W.Background: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score is a measure of chronic liver disease severity. Patients awaiting transplantation are assessed using this score. However, it has recently been suggested that changes in MELD score may be as important as the absolute MELD score in predicting short-term survival. However, clinical factors that affect the MELD score are unknown. We sought to identify predictors of mortality for potential transplant patients and examine factors that might predict changes in MELD score. Materials and Methods: Between January 1, 2002, and July 30, 2004, we retrospectively examined risk factors of 429 adult patients awaiting liver transplantation at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Analysis of the data was performed using demographics, manifestations of portal hypertension, time between last MELD recorded and event, and laboratory values. Significant factors in univariate analysis were further studied using Cox proportional hazards regression multivariate analysis. Results: At mean follow-up of 2.15 years (± 1.49 years), 71 patients (16.5%) had MELD scores that increased 5-10 points, 22 had changes of 10-15 points, and 14 had changes of 15-20 points. Manifestations of portal hypertension, laboratory values, and etiology of liver disease did not predict changes in MELD score. However, development of hepatic encephalopathy (HR, 3.95; P = .002; 95% CI, 1.70 to 9.42) and MELD score (HR, 1.04; P = .001; 95% CI, 1.004 to 1.08) were associated with variceal bleeding. Also, MELD score (HR, 1.07; P < .001; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.09), refractory ascites (HR, 2.15; P = .002; 95% CI, 1.31 to 3.53), and alcoholic cirrhosis (HR, 0.40; P = .04; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.94) were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Encephalopathy and MELD score were associated with variceal bleeding. Patients with an elevated MELD score, refractory ascites, and alcoholic cirrhosis had increased mortality while on the liver transplant list. No factors predicting changes in the MELD score were identified.Item Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disease Presenting as Adrenal Insufficiency: Case Report(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2005-06) Khan, Abdaal; Ortiz, Jorge; Jacobson, Laura; Reich, David; Manzarbeitia, CosmeThis is the first reported case of lymphoproliferative disease presenting with adrenal insufficiency after liver transplantation. A 38-year-old white man was admitted 8 months after transplantation for cryptogenic cirrhosis with fever (38-39°C), chills, cough, and dyspnea. His blood pressure was 100/70 mm Hg, there was pallor of the conjunctiva, and a lymph node was palpable in the left groin. Laboratory analyses revealed the following values: serum sodium concentration (112 mmol/L), potassium (5.4 mmol/L), hemoglobin (7.8 g/L), white blood cell count (7.7 x 109/L), glucose 3.9 (mmol/L), and mildly elevated liver functions. Abdominal ultrasound showed multiple hypoechoic solid-appearing lesions throughout the liver and spleen. Results of a biopsy specimen of the groin node confirmed polymorphic B-cell lymphoma. A negative Epstein-Barr virus screen before transplant became positive. The patient’s fever increased to 40°C. He subsequently developed sepsis and later, multiple organ failure. Autopsy confirmed extensive abdominal disease. The adrenal glands had been completely replaced by the tumor. Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection is associated with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease. Replacement of the adrenal glands with a tumor produces a clinical picture of adrenal insufficiency.Item Analysis of Marginal Donor Parameters in Liver Transplantation for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2004-06) Garcia, C E; Garcia, R F L; Gunson, B; Christensen, E; Neuberger, J; McMaster, P.; Mirza, D FThe shortage in cadaveric donor livers is pushing the transplant centers to expand the pool by using “marginal” donors. Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) remains an important indication for transplantation. We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a well-defined group of patients with PBC where 301 consecutive donor-PBC recipient pairs transplanted were analyzed to identify donor and operative factors influencing recipient outcome. Mean follow-up was 56 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year actuarial patient and graft survival was 93.97%, 90.64%, and 81.75%, and 85.49%, 82.57%, and 75.21%, respectively. Factors showing influence in decreased total patient survival were recipient old age (P = 0.003) and low recipient albumin (P = 0.01). However, the only variables showing an association with decreased patient survival within 90 days are old donor age (P = 0.002) and high donor body weight (P = 0.03) or high body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.055). Cold ischaemic time (CIT) of 18 hours showed statistical significance in patient survival (P = 0.025). Obesity did have a significant adverse impact on survival compared with normal or overweight donors (BMI < 30), decreasing survival by 50% at 5 years. In conclusion, this study of several factors considered “marginal” for transplantation in a recipient population with predictable liver disease (PBC), donor BMI and age were shown to be associated with decreased graft and patient survival.Item Liver Transplantation for Biliary Atresia: 19-Year, Single-Center Experience(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2004-06) Chin, L Thomas; D’Alessandro, Anthony M; Knechtle, Stuart J; Fernandez, Luis A; Leverson, Glen; Judd, Robert H; Spaith, Elizabeth; Dalgic, Aydin; Sollinger, Hans W; Kalayoglu, MunciIn this study, we describe our 19-year experience with liver transplantation as the definitive treatment for congenital biliary atresia. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 115 liver transplants from 1984 to 2003 in 85 patients with congenital biliary atresia. We determined the impact of era of transplantation (1984-1993 and 1994-2003), recipient age (< 1 and > 1), prior portoenterostomy, and type of surgery (whole-, reduced-, and split-liver transplant) on the outcome of the transplant. Results: Overall long-term survival is 83%. Survival is greater in the more-recent era. No impact of age or prior portoenterostomy on survival was seen. Split- liver grafts showed superior graft survival, whereas reduced-liver transplants had the worst overall graft survival. Conclusions: Our results confirm that long-term patient survival after liver transplantation for congenital biliary atresia is excellent. When required, partial liver grafts provide excellent long-term outcome.Item Outcome of Mucormycosis in Liver Transplantation: Four Cases and a Review of Literature(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2003-12) Davari, Hamid Reza; Malekhossini, Seyed Ali; Salahi, Heshmato-allah; Bahador, Ali; Saberifirozi, Mehdi; Geramizadeh, Bita; Lahsaee, Seyed Masoud; Khosravi, Mohammad Bagher; Imanieh, Mohammad Hadi; Bagheri, Mohammad HadiMucormycosis is a rare but highly invasive fungal infection that occurs in transplant recipients. The literature contains descriptions of 12 cases of mucormycosis after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). This report describes the fatal courses in four patients at our center who developed mucormycosis after liver transplantation. Of 51 liver transplant recipients who received grafts between December 1993 and April 2003, 4 (7.8%; 3 males and 1 female) developed mucormycosis. The primary liver diseases in the four cases were Wilson’s disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Three of the transplants were harvested by another team and shipped to our center. We concluded that selection of poor transplant candidates, prolonged antibiotic therapy and/or hospitalization prior to OLT, and breaks in aseptic technique during harvesting, shipping, and during operation are the main reasons for the high incidence of mucormycosis in our OLT patients.