Başkent Üniversitesi Yayınları
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Item Steroid-Resistant Acute Rejections After Liver Transplant(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2010-06) Aydogan, Cem; Haberal, Mehmet; Demirhan, Beyhan; Karakayali, Hamdi; Aktas, Sema; Sevmis, SinasiObjectives: Liver transplant is the definitive treatment for the end-stage liver disease. Although effective immunosuppressants are available, steroid-resistant acute rejection can be encountered. Materials and Methods: Between September 2001 and April 2010, 285 adult and pediatric liver transplant were done on 279 patients from deceased donors and living-related donors at our center. All patients received tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive therapy. Steroids were tapered in 3 months. Liver biopsy was done to confirm acute rejection after vascular or biliary complications had been excluded. High-dose steroids were administered for acute rejections. If there was no response to steroids, acute rejection was defined as steroid-resistant acute rejection. After confirming steroid-resistant acute rejection by a second biopsy, antithymocyte globulin was given to patients until liver functions return to normal level with ganciclovir prophylaxis. Results: Acute rejection was detected in 87 liver transplants (30.5%). Steroid-resistant acute rejections were detected in 12 of 87 patients (7 male, 5 female; 8 pediatric, 4 adult patients; mean age, 16.08 ± 12.1 years) (13.7%). Mean time from transplant to steroid-resistant acute rejection was 73.58 ± 59.24 days (range, 20-181 days). The predominant cause of liver disease before liver transplant in patients who had steroid-resistant acute rejection was fulminant hepatic failure. Steroid-resistant acute rejection therapy was successful in 10 of 12 patients (83.3%). Two patients did not respond to therapy; therefore, they advanced to chronic rejection. Adverse effects due to cytokine release were the most frequently encountered reactions in the early period of antithymocyte globulin treatment. The mean follow-ups after steroid-resistant acute rejection treatment were 38.2 ± 26 months (range, 2-85 months). We did not encounter any serious reaction, serious infection, or long-term adverse effect after antithymocyte globulin treatment. Conclusions: According to our experience, antithymocyte globulin can be considered as a good therapeutic option in steroid-resistant acute rejection with acceptable adverse effects.Item Determinants of Coronary Artery Disease in Liver Transplant Candidates(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2010-06) Muderrisoglu, Haldun; Haberal, Mehmet; Aydinalp, Alp; Atar, Ilyas; Bal, Ugur; Aktas, Ayse; Ertan, Cagtay; Atar, Asli; Yildirir, Aylin; Ozin, BulentObjectives: The potential for perioperative and late cardiovascular complications in liver transplant candidates makes careful preoperative risk assessment imperative. We sought to identify the determinants of coronary artery disease in liver transplant candidates. Materials and Methods: Liver transplant candidates with end-stage liver disease who were more than 40 years old and undergoing coronary angiography were retrospectively included in this study. Patients with known coronary heart disease or valvular heart disease were excluded. Symptoms, coronary artery disease risk factors, blood tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, treadmill stress test, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, and coronary angiography results were recorded. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the independent predictors of coronary artery disease. Results: A total of 139 patients (mean age, 52 ± 8; 110 male [79%]) were included in the analysis. Coronary angiography revealed that 13 patients (9.4%) had coronary artery disease. The frequency of diabetes mellitus, stable angina symptoms, positive smoking status, presence of 2 or more risk factors for coronary artery disease, and mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in patients with coronary artery disease than in patients without coronary artery disease. The electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and noninvasive stress test results were not valuable tools in liver transplant candidates for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. In multivariate analysis, typical angina symptoms and low-density lipoproteins cholesterol levels appeared to be independent factors that were predictive of coronary artery disease. Conclusions: Typical anginal symptoms and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels seem to be the best predictors of coronary artery disease in liver transplant candidates.Item Renal Transplant Outcome After Endoscopic Treatment of Vesicoureteral Reflux Using the Subureteric Injection of Calcium Hydroxyapatite(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2010-03) Dirim, Ayhan; Haberal, Mehmet; Ozkardes, Hakan; Turunc, Tahsin; Aygun, Cem; Hasirci, Eray; Celik, HuseyinObjectives: To evaluate the results of end-stage renal failure in transplanted cases due to vesicoureteral reflux after a subureteric injection of calcium hydroxyapatite (Coaptite). Materials and Methods: Twenty-three patients (39 renal units) with end-stage renal failure secondary to vesicoureteral reflux were included. Reflux was bilateral in 16 cases and unilateral in 7 of the cases. There were 3 degrees of reflux according to the distribution of renal units. They were low-grade reflux (grades 1 and 2; n=10); medium-grade reflux (grade 3; n=23); and high-grade reflux (grades 4 and 5; n=6). Results: Reflux resolved completely in 17 patients (28 renal units; 71.8%). There was a regression to grade 1 in 3 patients (5 renal units; 12.8%). Twenty-one patients underwent renal transplant; however, 2 of the patients were excluded from the study as it was not possible to monitor them after transplant. Within an approximately 18.6 month follow-up (range, 3-36 months), 1 of the cases had acute, and 3 of the cases had chronic rejection. Conclusions: Successful results can be achieved in reflux treatment by an injection of subureteric calcium hydroxyapatite before transplant in patients with end-stage renal failure that developed secondary to vesicoureteral reflux.Item Pulmonary Complications and Mortality After Liver Transplant(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2008-12) Bozbas, Serife Savas; Haberal, Mehmet; Karakayali, Hamdi; Sevmis, Sinasi; Arslan, Nevra Gullu; Ergur, Figen Ozturk; Eyuboglu, Fusun OnerObjectives: Pulmonary complications after liver transplant significantly affect mortality and morbidity; however, their relation has not been clearly established. We sought to determine pulmonary complications during the early and late term after liver transplant and identify risk factors for mortality. Materials and Methods: At our institution, 130 liver transplant patients (mean age, 40.1 ± 14.6 years; 71.1% male) were retrospectively evaluated, and 114 adult orthotopic liver transplant patients were included. Cause of liver disease, pulmonary function test results, arterial blood gas analyses, surgery duration, length of stay in the intensive care unit and the hospital, pulmonary complications, and mortality causes were noted. Results: Pulmonary complications were detected in 48 patients (42.1%), pneumonia in 24 patients (21.1%), and pleural effusion in 21 patients (18.4%). Development of pulmonary complications was found to be significantly related to survival (P = .001). Fifty-two patients (45.6%) were smokers, a significant predictor of pulmonary complications (P = .03). There was no relation between pulmonary function test results and orthodeoxia and pulmonary complications and mortality. Early and late survival rates were significantly lower in patients in whom a microorganism was isolated on deep tracheal aspirate culture, while early survival was significantly reduced in the presence of a pleural effusion (P < .005). Conclusions: Pulmonary complications after liver transplant are common. Care must be taken to determine preoperative risk factors, and patients should be observed closely for development of respiratory complications after liver transplant.Item Neurologic Complications After Renal Transplant(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2008-09) Yardimci, Nilgul; Haberal, Mehmet; Zileli, Turgut; Benli, Sibel; Sevmis, Sinasi; Colak, TuranObjectives: Neurologic complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who undergo transplants. We sought to evaluate the nature and incidence of neurologic complications in patients undergoing a renal transplant. Patients and Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2007, 132 adults (35 women, 97 men; mean age, 34.32 ± 0.90 years) underwent a renal transplant at our institution. Associated comorbid medical conditions, presenting neurologic symptoms, and type of immunosuppression were obtained from patients' medical records. Results: Major indications for renal transplant were hypertensive nephropathy (14.4%), vesicoureteral reflux (11.4%), and idiopathic causes (21.2%). Mean follow-up was 17.26 ± 0.89 months (range, 2 weeks to 40 months). Twenty neurologic complications were found in 18 patients (6 women, 12 men; mean age, 33.83 ± 2.37 years). Presenting symptoms included posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, 1 (5.6%); cephalgia, 10 (55.6%); cerebral infarcts, 2 (11.1%); seizure, 3 (16.7%); tremor, 2 (11.1%); encephalopathy, 1 (5.6%); and sinus thrombosis, 1 (5.6%). Immunosuppressive agents were the primary cause of 16 of the 20 neurologic complications. Effectiveness and complications of cyclosporine were screened for a total of 1858.50 months, tacrolimus for 853.50 months, and sirolimus for 620 months; 50.2% of the neurologic complications appeared during the first 3 months after transplant; the blood level of immunosuppressive medications did not need to be higher than normal in every case. Discussion: In addition to cyclosporine and tacrolimus, we suggest (for the first time) sirolimus as a cause of neurocomplications after renal transplant.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 Pediatric Liver Transplant: Results of a Single Center(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2008-03) Haberal, Mehmet; Arslan, Gulnaz; Demirhan, Beyhan; Torgay, Adnan; Yilmaz, Ugur; Moray, Gokhan; Ozcay, Figen; Karakayali, Hamdi; Sevmis, SinasiObjectives: Liver transplant in the pediatric population has become an accepted treatment modality for children with end-stage liver disease. In this study, we analyze our experiences with pediatric liver transplant at our center. Materials and Methods: Since September 2001, 8 deceased-donor and 96 living-donor liver transplants have been done in 101 children (mean age, 6.7 ± 5.5 years; range, 2 months to 17 years). The children’s charts were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Indications for liver transplant were cholestatic liver disease (n=17), biliary atresia (n=24), Wilson’s disease (n=16), fulminant liver failure (n=18), hepatic tumor (n=13), and other (n=13). The median pediatric end-stage liver disease score was 23.1 ± 11.1 (range, –8 to 48). The median follow-up was 24.2 ± 19.4 months (range, 1-77 months). Three children underwent retransplant. The main complications were infections (25.9%) and surgical complications (39.5%) (including biliary complications and vascular problems). The incidence of acute cellular rejection was 42.3%. Sixteen children died during follow-up, and, at the time of this writing, the remaining 85 children (85%) were alive with good graft functioning, showing patient survival rates of 90%, 85%, and 83% at 6, 12, and 36 months, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, the overall outcomes of pediatric liver transplantation at our center are quite promising.Item Endovascular Treatment of Active Bleeding after Liver Transplant(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2007-06) Harman, Ali; Boyvat, Fatih; Hasdogan, Baris; Aytekin, Cuneyt; Karakayali, Hamdi; Haberal, MehmetObjectives: To evaluate the incidence of active bleeding complications following transplant and the efficacy of interventional radiologic management. Materials and Methods: Between June 2000 and February 2007, 14 liver transplant patients with active bleeding were treated via endovascular techniques (coils, glue, or graft-covered stents). Active bleeding was spontaneous in 6 patients through the inferior epigastric artery (n=1), the inferior phrenic artery (n=1), the superior mesenteric artery (n=2), the internal mammary artery (n=1), and the hepatic artery (n=1). In 8 patients, active bleeding was due to transhepatic biliary or endovascular interventions. Hemobilia (n=2) due to pseudoaneurysm formation after transhepatic biliary interventions was embolized with coils. Hepatic artery rupture was observed in 6 patients during endovascular interventions performed on hepatic artery stenosis or thrombosis that had been treated with graft-covered stents. Technical success, clinical improvement, and complications were documented. Results: Active bleeding was stopped by endovascular intervention in 13 of 14 patients. Embolizations with coils or glue were successful. In 1 patient with hepatic artery bleeding, the graft-covered stent failed to seal the rupture site, and this patient underwent reoperation. Conclusion: Arterial bleeding complications after liver transplant during the early and late postoperative period, due either to spontaneous active bleeding or to percutaneous or endovascular interventions, can be successfully managed with interventional radiologic techniques.Item A Novel Technique for Hepatic Arterial Reconstruction in Living-Donor Liver Transplant(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2007-06) Haberal, Mehmet; Sevmis, Sinasi; Karakayali, Hamdi; Moray, Gokhan; Yilmaz, Ugur; Ozcay, Figen; Torgay, Adnan; Aydogan, Cem; Arslan, GulnazObjectives: Arterial reconstruction in patients undergoing living-donor liver transplant is technically difficult because of the small diameter of the vessels in the partial liver graft. In this study, we present our technique for hepatic arterial reconstruction. Methods: Since December 2005, we have performed 54 living-donor liver transplants, which are analyzed retrospectively in this report. In our technique now used at our institution, native and graft hepatic arteries are spatulated from both the anterior and posterior walls to provide a wide anastomosis. Computed tomographic angiography is used to evaluate the vascular anatomy and to measure the diameter of the graft hepatic arteries. Results: Mean follow-up was 7.2 ± 5.5 months (range, 1-17 months). Nine of the 54 recipients died within 4 months of the surgery. At the time of this writing, the remaining 45 recipients (84%) are alive and demonstrating good graft function. In 2 recipients (3.7%) in this series, hepatic artery thromboses developed, which were treated with an interventional radiologic technique. Conclusions: Our arterial reconstruction technique has enabled reconstruction of smaller arteries and arteries of various diameters without an operating microscope. The rate of complications in our patients is similar to that reported in similar individuals.Item Renal Autotransplantation for Complex Renal Arterial Disease: A Case Report(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2006-12) Sevmis, Sinasi; Karakayali, Hamdi; Boyvat, Fatih; Colak, Turan; Aydogan, Cem; Gencoglu, E. Arzu; Haberal, MehmetA renal artery aneurysm in a stenotic renal artery is a rare clinical entity with an incidence of 0.015% to 1% in patients with renovascular hypertension. Interventional stent placement is the first line of treatment for simple aneurysms of the proximal renal artery. However, renal autotransplantation has been used as an alternative treatment for complex lesions and for lesions originating from the distal renal artery. We present a patient with a renal artery aneurysm, renal artery stenosis of the segmental branches of the left kidney, and occlusion of the right renal artery. The surgical strategy included renal explantation, ex vivo renal preservation, ex vivo reconstruction of the 2 renal artery branches, and renal heterotopic autotransplantation. We conclude that renal autotransplantation is a safe and effective surgical procedure for patients with complex renal arterial disease.