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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Split liver transplantation is an excellent option for expansion of the donor organ pool. However, reports of increased morbidity in split liver recipients may limit use of this technique. STUDY DESIGN: This was a single center retrospective analysis investigating split liver transplantation. Between August 1, 1995 and March 30, 2012, 53 of 1,261 (4.2%) recipients received split liver grafts. RESULTS: The 1-, 5-, and 10-year patient and graft survivals in adult recipients of split grafts were 95.5%, 89.5%, and 89.5%, respectively. Survival was similar to that of whole organ recipients (p = 0.15). Twenty-three adults received split grafts: 18 (78%) were right trisegment grafts, 4 (17.4%) were right lobes, and 1 (4.3%) was a left lobe. The mean cold ischemic time was 5.7 hours (±2.4 hours [SD]) and warm ischemic time was 36 minutes (±5.5 minutes). Four (17%) recipients required hepatic artery reconstruction; 5 (21.7%) required a caval-venous patch, and 5 (21.7%) had Roux-en-Y reconstruction of the bile duct. No venous conduits were required. Thirty children received split grafts (median age 1.2 years, range 0.1 to 16.4 years) and had a median weight of 8.6 kg (range 3.6 to 45 kg). Pediatric split 1-, 5-, and 10-year overall and graft survival rates were 96.7%, 80.0%, 80.0%, and 93.3%, 76.8, and 76.8%, respectively. Complications included retransplantation in 3 (10.0%), bile leak in 5 (16.7%), hepatic arterial thrombosis in 2 (6.7%), bowel perforation in 2 (6.7%), and bleeding in 2 (6.7%). The mean donor age was 22.4 months (±8.9) months and body mass index was 22.8 kg/m(2) (±3.3 kg/m(2)). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated excellent outcomes in adult and pediatric recipients using carefully selected donors for liver splitting. We recommend escalation of the use of split liver transplants to expand the donor pool for cadaveric liver transplantation.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 04/2013; · 4.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Selected 5-year survival results after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported to be 70%. Our hypothesis was that liver transplantation is effective for long-term cancer control for HCC.
A 20-year retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was carried out. Demographic data and patient survival were calculated.
There were 1,422 liver transplantations performed between January 1990 and April 2011. Of these, 264 had HCC and 157 (59%) were pretreated with transarterial chemoembolization. Recipient age was 55.9 (± 7.9) years and 208 (79%) of patients were male. The underlying disease was hepatitis C virus in 155 (58.7%), hepatitis B virus in 16 (6%), alcohol in 21 (8%), and miscellaneous in the remaining 72 cases. The mean number of tumors was 1.8 (± 1.7) and the mean largest tumor diameter was 2.3 (± 1.3) cm in the explanted liver. One, 5, and 10-year patient survival was 88.5%, 69.1%, and 40.5%, respectively; disease-specific survival was 99.1%, 94.4% and 87.9%; and disease-free survival was 86.0%, 64.6%, and 40.1%. One, 5, and 10-year graft survival was 87.3%, 68.0%, and 41.8%. Nine (3.4%) patients required retransplantation; 75 patients (28.4%) have died, but only 10 of 75 (13.3%) died of recurrent HCC (3.7% of all HCC patients receiving a transplant) and 6 (8%) died of recurrent viral hepatitis. An additional 9 recipients developed recurrence (total HCC recurrence, n = 19 [7%]), 4 of whom died of causes other than HCC. The remaining 5 are disease-free post-treatment (mean 5.5 years after orthotopic liver transplantation).
Orthotopic liver transplantation offers an effective treatment strategy for HCC in the setting of cirrhosis, even in the setting of hepatitis C virus. Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence is uncommon in properly selected patients and disease-specific long-term survival approaches 90%.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 05/2012; 215(1):19-28; discussion 28-30. · 4.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The inclusion of hepatitis B core antibody-positive (HBcAb+) liver donors is a strategy utilized to increase organ availability. This study examined HBcAb+ transplantation practices to identify specific factors influencing outcomes.
Twenty-five HBcAb+ liver transplants were identified retrospectively among 868 adult transplants performed between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2009. Twelve (48%) recipients had hepatitis C and five (20%) had hepatitis B. Patient and donor demographics, preoperative morbidity, transplant data and outcomes were examined. Statistical analysis was completed using Student's t-test or the Kaplan-Meier method. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
There was no difference in age, body mass index or comorbidities between HBcAb+ liver recipients and control subjects. Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores of >30 were significantly more frequent in HBcAb+ liver recipients (32% vs. 15%; P= 0.04). All patients received immunoglobulin and longterm antiviral therapy as prophylaxis against graft hepatitis B resurgence. No patients who received HBcAb+ livers developed hepatitis B infection on follow-up. Overall survival at 30 days, 1 year and 5 years in HBcAb+ liver recipients was 92%, 74% and 74%, respectively, compared with 96%, 89% and 76%, respectively, in the control group (P= not significant, log-rank test). All except one of the deaths in the HBcAb+ liver recipient group occurred within 90 days postoperatively and in patients with MELD scores >30.
The practice of transplanting HBcAb+ grafts incurs low risk for infection using current methods of prophylaxis. The highest mortality risk was in the early postoperative period, specifically in patients with very high MELD scores. This probably reflects the practice of using positive serology grafts in emergent situations.
HPB 01/2012; 14(1):42-8. · 1.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Liver disease due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important health problem worldwide. HCV induced changes in microRNAs (miRNA) are shown to mediate inflammation leading to liver fibrosis. Gene expression analyses identified dysregulation of miRNA-449a in HCV patients but not in alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases. By sequence analysis of the promoter for YKL40, an inflammatory marker upregulated in patients with chronic liver diseases with fibrosis, adjacent binding sites for nuclear factor of Kappa B/P65 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPα) were identified. P65 interacted with CEBPα to co-operatively activate YKL40 expression through sequence specific DNA binding. In vitro analysis demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) mediated YKL40 expression is regulated by miRNA-449a and its target NOTCH1 in human hepatocytes.NOTCH1 facilitated nuclear localization of P65 in response to TNFα. Further, HCV patients demonstrated upregulation of NOTCH1 along with downregulation of miRNA-449a. Taken together it is demonstrated that miRNA-449a plays an important role in modulating expression of YKL40 through targeting the components of the NOTCH signaling pathway following HCV infection. Therefore, defining transcriptional regulatory mechanisms which control inflammatory responses and fibrosis will be important towards developing strategies to prevent hepatic fibrosis especially following HCV recurrence in liver transplant recipients.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(11):e50826. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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Vijay Subramanian,
Anil B Seetharam,
Neeta Vachharajani,
Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi,
Nataraju Angaswamy,
Sabarinathan Ramachandran,
Jeffrey S Crippin, Surendra Shenoy,
William C Chapman,
Thalachallour Mohanakumar,
Christopher D Anderson
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ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is universal, often with accelerated allograft fibrosis. Donor liver steatosis is frequently encountered and often associated with poor early postoperative outcome. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that allograft steatosis alters immune responses to HCV and self-antigens promoting allograft fibrosis.
Forty-eight HCV OLT recipients (OLTr) were enrolled and classified based on amount of allograft macrovesicular steatosis at time of OLT. Group 1: no steatosis (0%-5% steatosis, n=21), group 2: mild (5%-35%, n=16), and group 3: moderate (>35%, n=11). Cells secreting interleukin (IL)-17, IL-10, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in response to HCV antigens were enumerated by Enzyme Linked Immunospot Assay. Serum cytokines were measured by Luminex, antibodies to Collagen I, II, III, IV, and V by ELISA.
OLTr of moderate steatotic grafts had the highest incidence of advanced fibrosis in protocol 1 year post-OLT biopsy (10.8% vs. 15.8% vs. 36.6%, r=0.157, P<0.05). OLTr from groups 2 and 3 had increased HCV-specific IL-17 (P<0.05) and IL-10 (P<0.05) with reduced IFN-γ (P<0.05) secreting cells when compared with group 1. This was associated with increase in serum IL-17, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-5, and decreased IFN-γ. In addition, there was development of antibodies to Collagen I, II, III and V in OLTr with increased steatosis (P<0.05).
The results demonstrate that allograft steatosis influences post-OLT HCV-specific immune responses leading to an IL-17 T-helper response and activation of humoral immune responses to liver-associated self-antigens that may contribute to allograft fibrosis and poor outcome.
Transplantation 12/2011; 92(11):1259-68. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Juxta-anastomotic stenosis (JAS) is one of the predominant causes of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure, with the reported incidence as high as 65%. We hypothesized that technical modification to alter the outflow vein configuration using the novel piggyback Straight Line Onlay Technique (pSLOT) would prevent JAS and improve AVF maturation.
Intention-to-treat analysis of the outcomes of consecutive distal radiocephalic (RC) fistulas performed by a single operator with three different anastomotic techniques using a prospectively maintained database. Traditional end-to-side technique (ETS), side-to-side straight-line onlay technique (SLOT, STS) and pSLOT in RC AVF created in 125 consecutive patients between 1/2004 and 12/2007 were compared. AVF maturation was evaluated by ultrasonography at 4 to 6 weeks and use for dialysis.
The mean age of the study group was 53.1 ± 20.7 years, the male-to-female ratio was 61:64, and the races studied were African American (66; 52.8%) and Caucasian (54; 43.2%). The primary disease for renal failure was hypertension (54; 43.2%) and diabetes (51; 40.8%). Brachial artery flow at maturation was 1103 ± 531 mL/min. Incidence of early JAS was 9.8% and late 14.6%. The clinico-demographic variables between ETS (n = 57), STS (n = 12), and pSLOT (n = 54) were similar. The median follow-up between three groups: ETS (19 months), STS (12 months), and pSLOT (19 months; P = .1), was similar. There was a significant decrease in JAS development in pSLOT patients (P = .04). pSLOT patients also revealed decreased overall fistula failure (ETS 40.3%, STS 33.3%, pSLOT 16.7%; P = .01).
There was significant reduction in JAS and improvement in AVF maturation with pSLOT. This study provides evidence highlighting the role of outflow vein configuration in AVF maturation. Minimal alteration of vein wall configuration and avoidance torsion using pSLOT technique improves AVF maturation.
Journal of vascular surgery: official publication, the Society for Vascular Surgery [and] International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, North American Chapter 11/2011; 55(1):274-80. · 3.52 Impact Factor
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Surendra Shenoy
Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research 08/2011; 4(5):683-4. · 2.61 Impact Factor
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Brian B Borg,
Anil Seetharam,
Haseeb Ilias,
Vijay Subramanian,
Mauricio Lisker–Melman,
Kevin Korenblat,
Christopher D. Anderson, Surendra Shenoy,
William C. Chapman,
Jeffrey S. Crippin,
Thalachallour Mohanakumar
Liver Transplantation 07/2011; 17(7):814-823. · 3.39 Impact Factor
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Brian B Borg,
Anil Seetharam,
Vijay Subramanian,
Haseeb Ilias Basha,
Mauricio Lisker-Melman,
Kevin Korenblat,
Christopher D Anderson, Surendra Shenoy,
William C Chapman,
Jeffrey S Crippin,
Thalachallour Mohanakumar
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ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are associated with the remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) components [particularly collagen (Col)], which leads to fibrosis. Our aim was to determine whether the development of antibodies (Abs) to self-antigen Col in HCV-infected patients correlates with the fibrosis stage and the peripheral cytokine response. Patients with chronic HCV infection, patients with HCV recurrence after OLT who had undergone a biopsy procedure, and healthy control subjects were enrolled. The HCV subjects (n = 70) were stratified as follows: (1) a non-OLT group without fibrosis (Scheuer stages 0-2), (2) a non-OLT group with fibrosis (Scheuer stages 3-4), (3) a post-OLT group without fibrosis (Scheuer stages 0-2), and (4) a post-OLT group with fibrosis (Scheuer stages 3-4). Serum samples were analyzed for Abs against Col1, Col2, Col4, Col5, and vimentin with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Serum levels of cytokines were measured with multiplex bead immunoassays. The levels of Abs to Col1 were higher in the fibrosis groups versus the no-fibrosis groups and the controls for both non-OLT patients (P < 0.001) and post-OLT patients (P = 0.01). There were increased levels of Abs to Col2, Col4, Col5, and vimentin in the non-OLT fibrosis group (Col2, P = 0.0001; Col4, P = 0.122; Col5, P < 0.0001; vimentin, P = 0.36) and in the post-OLT fibrosis group (Col2, P = 0.006; Col4, P = 0.19; Col5, P < 0.0001; vimentin, P = 0.24) in comparison with the no-fibrosis groups. The non-OLT and post-OLT fibrosis groups demonstrated significantly higher T helper 2 (T(h) 2) and T helper 17 (T(h) 17) cytokine levels and lower T helper 1 cytokine levels in comparison with the no-fibrosis groups. Our results demonstrate that in HCV-infected patients, the levels of Abs to ECM Col1, Col2, and Col5 positively correlate with liver fibrosis, which is associated with a predominantly T(h) 2 and T(h) 17 cytokine profile.
Liver Transplantation 03/2011; 17(7):814-23. · 3.39 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To determine if the use of steatotic grafts adversely affects outcomes in liver transplantation.
A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database.
A single center.
Four hundred ninety adults who underwent liver transplantation from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2008, at a single center. Graft biopsies were available in 310 (63.3%) cases. Grafts were classified based on amount of macrovesicular steatosis: 5% or less (n = 222), more than 5% to less than 35% (n = 66), and 35% or more (n = 22).
Recipient demographics, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, patient/graft survival, complications, transfusion rates, and liver function test results.
One-, 3-, and 5-year patient and graft survivals, respectively, were similar (90.38%, 84.7%, and 74.4%, respectively, P = .3; and 88.7%, 82.5%, and 73.3%, respectively, P = .15). Median follow-up was 25 months. Recipient age, sex, body mass index, laboratory MELD score, and ischemia times were similar among all groups. Packed red blood cell (3 vs 8 U, P < .001), fresh frozen plasma (2 vs 4 U, P = .007), and cryoprecipitate transfusion rates were significantly increased in grafts with 35% or more steatosis. Intensive care unit (5 vs 11 days, P = .02) and hospital (11 vs 21 days, P < .001) stay was also increased in those with grafts with 35% or more steatosis compared with those with 5% or less steatosis. The grafts with 35% or more steatosis had higher transaminase peaks and longer times for bilirubin to normalize (P < .001).
Use of carefully selected steatotic grafts was not associated with higher rates of primary nonfunction or poorer outcomes. However, the use of steatotic grafts is associated with increased resource use in the perioperative period.
Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill.: 1960) 07/2010; 145(7):653-60. · 4.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Little information has been published about the suitability of candidates for living organ donation who have a past or current psychiatric diagnosis. A retrospective review of 445 living donor kidney transplants performed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital's transplant center from 1995 to 2005 disclosed 42 donor candidates with such a history, prompting detailed psychological evaluation. Although 41 candidates (10% of the donor pool) met criteria for 1 or more psychiatric diagnoses, none were considered psychologically unfit for donation. Of these, 22 candidates underwent kidney donation without medical or surgical complications and without development of subsequent active psychological problems. Several donors maintained long-term contact up to 12 years to report good health and a high degree of satisfaction with the decision to donate. This experience suggests that for donor candidates with a psychiatric diagnosis, formal psychiatric evaluation to evaluate current mental health stability is warranted. Stable individuals, on or off therapy, can be considered fit to donate with expected short- and long-term outcome prognoses similar to those for the general population.
Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) 07/2009; 19(2):128-31. · 1.03 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Individuals greater than 60 years old donate an important portion of the organs available for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), but use of donors in this age group remains controversial. We hypothesized that proper selection of donors older than age 60 would not disadvantage recipients in terms of patient and graft survival.
All OLTs performed at our center between January 1, 1990, and July 31, 2007, were divided into groups based on donor age: donors 60 years old or more and donors less than 60 years old. Recipients in each group were compared based on graft and patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, cold ischemic times, and era of transplant (before or after 2001).
There were 741 recipients who met inclusion criteria. Ninety-one patients received livers from donors 60 years old or older, and 650 patients had donors younger than 60 years old. Overall patient survival rates in the group using donors 60 or older were 86.8%, 72.6%, and 67.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, and did not differ significantly from survival in the group receiving transplants from donors less than 60 (87.1%, 81.8%, and 75.5%; p=0.39). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft survivals in patients receiving transplants from donors 60 or older were 82.4%, 65%, and 62.5%, respectively, and were not significantly different from those in the group using donors younger than 60 (84%, 78.6%, and 72.3%, respectively; p=0.39). Neither patient survival nor graft survival in recipients of organs from donors 60 or older was affected by Model of End-Stage Liver Disease score. Recipients of older-donor livers had improved outcomes after 2001, which correlated with significant improvements in cold ischemic times.
Our data suggest that age alone does not adversely affect recipient outcomes. When properly selected, donors older than 60 represent an important and safe increase in the liver donor pool.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 01/2009; 207(6):847-52. · 4.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate outcomes of downstaging patients with advanced (American liver tumor study group stage III/IV) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) to allow eligibility for orthotopic liver transplant (OLT).
From 1999 to 2006, 202 patients with HCC were referred for transplant evaluation. Seventy-six (37.6%) patients with stage III/IV HCC were potential transplant candidates if downstaging was achieved by TACE. OLT was considered based on follow-up imaging findings. The number of patients who were successfully downstaged within the Milan criteria, tumor response using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria, findings at explant, and outcomes after transplant were tracked.
Eighteen of 76 (23.7%) patients had adequate downstaging to qualify for OLT under the Milan criteria. By Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, 27/76 (35.5%) patients had a partial response, 22/76 (29%) had stable disease, and 27/76 (35.5%) had progressive disease. Seventeen of 76 (22.4%) patients who met other qualifications underwent OLT after successful downstaging (13/38 stage III;4/38 stage IV). Explant review demonstrated 28 identifiable tumors in which post-TACE necrosis was greater than 90% in 21 (75%). At a median of 19.6 months (range 3.6-104.7), 16/17 (94.1%) patients who underwent OLT are alive. One patient expired 11 months after OLT secondary to medical comorbidities. One of 17 (6%) OLT patients had recurrent HCC. This patient underwent resection of a pulmonary metastasis and is alive, 63.6 months from OLT.
Selected patients with stage III/IV HCC can be downstaged to Milan criteria with TACE. Importantly, patients who are successfully downstaged and transplanted have excellent midterm disease-free and overall survival, similar to stage II HCC.
Annals of surgery 11/2008; 248(4):617-25. · 7.90 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Older donor grafts will provide suitable results of liver transplant, even in recipients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Although HCV remains the leading indication for liver transplant in adults in the United States, it is associated with HCV recurrence, increased graft loss, and reduced survival. In addition, recent studies suggest that the use of older donors in recipients with HCV is associated with significantly worsened short- and long-term survival.
Prospective database analysis.
Washington University School of Medicine.
Between January 1, 1997, and June 30, 2006, a total of 579 liver transplants were performed. Ninety pediatric transplants were excluded. Of the remaining 489 adult patients (84.5%), 187 (38.2%) had HCV and 302 (61.8%) had other indications.
Patient and graft survival, recurrence of HCV, and need for and results of retransplant.
At 1, 3, and 5 years, overall patient survival was 88.1%, 78.3%, and 69.2%, respectively, and graft survival was 85.6%, 75.6%, and 65.6%, respectively, in patients with HCV. There was no significant difference in patient or graft survival between patients with and those without HCV. Recurrent HCV with clinically significant disease was 20% at 1 year and 62% at 10 years. Seventy-two patients received transplants from donors 60 years or older (24 of 187 [12.8%] with HCV and 48 of 302 [15.9%] without HCV). No difference was demonstrated in short- or medium-term patient or graft survival in recipients of grafts from older donors.
The increasing use of marginal donors, including carefully selected older donors, does not seem to adversely affect short- or medium-term results and may be a source of additional organs for expanding liver transplant waiting lists.
Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill.: 1960) 07/2008; 143(7):679-85; discussion 685. · 4.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Two-hour postdose cyclosporine (C2) monitoring is becoming an accepted method of therapeutic drug monitoring, although it is not known whether C2 monitoring is superior to tacrolimus (FK)-based immunosuppression. The purpose of this trial was to compare the safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomics of cyclosporine A (CsA) monitored by C2 levels versus FK monitored by trough levels in de novo liver transplant recipients. After informed consent, 60 de novo liver transplant recipients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive either FK (trough, 6-10 ng/mL) or CsA (C2, 600-1200 ng/mL) and corticosteroids. The 2 groups were similar for gender, race, indication for liver disease, and age. At 1 year, patient survival was similar (93% for FK versus 90% for C2). One patient in the FK arm was retransplanted because of recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV). Early acute rejection occurred in 27% of FK-treated patients and 23% of CsA-treated recipients [P = not significant (NS)]. Recurrent HCV occurred in 21% of FK-treated patients and 61% of CsA-treated patient (P = 0.04). The incidence of other infections, new onset diabetes mellitus, requirement for antihypertensives, and requirement for cholesterol medications were similar between the groups. Annual calcineurin inhibitor costs were lower in the C2 arm ($5432 +/- 2091 for C2 versus $8291 +/- 3948 for FK, P = 0.001). Annual pretransplant drug costs ($2292 +/- 2331 for C2 versus $2831 +/- 2358 for FK, P = NS) and 1-year posttransplant drug costs ($17,214 +/- 16,600 for C2 versus $15,151 +/- 11,699 for FK, P = NS) were similar. In conclusion, immunosuppression with CsA, monitored by C2 levels, is safe, effective, and economical in liver transplant recipients and provides immunosuppression at least equivalent to that of FK.
Liver Transplantation 03/2008; 14(2):173-80. · 3.39 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) significantly accelerates progression to allograft cirrhosis. Current biochemical parameters to monitor progression of chronic HCV after OLT have yielded low specificity and sensitivity. Here we investigated the HCV-specific immunity and serum levels of soluble CD30 (sCD30), a novel marker of Th2 immunity, in patients with and without allograft cirrhosis. Patients with hepatic inflammation but no cirrhosis (HIN, n=20) revealed elevated serum interferon (IFN)-gamma and high frequency of IFN-gamma producing CD4 T(h1) cells compared to those with hepatic cirrhosis (HFC, n=20) that had high interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-5 producing CD4 T(h2) cells. Patients with HFC, but not HIN, were found to have significantly higher levels of sCD30. Therefore, we conclude that lack of optimal Th1-type CD4 T cells is associated with HCV-induced allograft cirrhosis. Further, sCD30 may represent a novel marker for surveillance of hepatic cirrhosis in transplant recipients with chronic HCV infection.
Transplantation 01/2008; 84(12):1704-7. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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Surendra Shenoy
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ABSTRACT: The goal of increasing arteriovenous fistula (AVF) prevalence is to provide end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients vascular access for dialysis with low morbidity and better long-term patency. This goal is realized only when a fistula matures and meets its required function. This article defines the characteristics of a well functioning AVF and the essential components required to meet these needs. The various sites that could be used for fistula creation on the basis of normal and variant anatomy are reviewed. Surgical techniques that aid early fistula maturation by reducing juxtaanastomotic problems are discussed. Postoperatively, maturation evaluation is an important component necessary for the successful use of AVF. Ultrasound vein mapping and duplex blood flow assessment provide objective data for fistula maturation evaluation. Early radiological interventions and secondary surgical procedures should be electively performed to aid maturation for fistulae that fail to achieve adequate maturation.
Seminars in Vascular Surgery 10/2007; 20(3):141-7. · 1.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This pilot trial was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of SRL in liver transplant recipients with renal dysfunction. Forty patients with renal dysfunction (24-hr CrCl 40-80 mL/min) were randomized to be withdrawn from the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) and receive sirolimus (SRL) or to continue CNI (control arm). Improvement in 24-hour CrCl was seen in the SRL arm at 3 months (75 mL/min SRL vs. 56 mL/min control, P=0.012), whereas at 12 months there was a trend toward improvement in the SRL arm (72 mL/min SRL vs. 58 mL/min control, P=0.09). Two patients, one in each arm, developed steroid-sensitive rejection. Side effects of SRL were limited and included hyperlipidemia requiring treatment (15%), pruritus (5%), and mouth sores (25%). In this trial, SRL-based immunosuppression was a safe alternative to CNI. Although early improvements were observed, withdrawing CNI and replacing it with SRL did not result in a statistically significant improvement in renal function at 12 months of follow-up.
Transplantation 06/2007; 83(10):1389-92. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Preorthotopic liver transplantation locoregional therapy (LRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) reduces drop-out rates in patients awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In this study, we investigated the efficacy of LRT as a strategy to improve longterm survival after transplantation.
A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data identified 100 patients with HCC who underwent OLT between 1985 and 2005. Of these, 46 received LRT in the form of transarterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous ethanol injection, or a combination of these.
The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survivals, regardless of LRT, were 81.3%, 66.1%, and 61.3%, respectively. Demographic data and waiting time for OLT were similar between LRT and untreated groups. Pre-OLT radiologic stage was comparable (LRT: 2.11 +/- 0.74 versus Untreated: 2.39 +/- 0.94; p = 0.16). At the time of transplantation, the LRT group had notable tumor downstaging (1.50 +/- 1.34 versus 2.49 +/- 1.17; p = 0.008). The LRT group had better 5-year survival (82.4% versus 51.8%; p = 0.01), but this improvement was observed in patients with HCC stages II, III, and IV (77.6% versus 37.4%; p = 0.016). Sixteen LRT patients, and none untreated, revealed complete tumor necrosis with no viable tumor cells on explant pathology (pT0). These patients did not experience any longterm recurrence, in contrast to those with similar pre-OLT tumors.
OLT is a viable treatment option for primary HCC. LRT substantially downstages the primary tumor and improves longterm survival in patients with advanced disease. Complete tumor necrosis with LRT is associated with excellent longterm recurrence-free survival.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 11/2006; 203(4):411-20. · 4.55 Impact Factor
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T Mohanakumar,
Kishore Narayanan,
Niraj Desai,
Sabarinathan Ramachandran, Surendra Shenoy,
Martin Jendrisak,
Brian M Susskind,
Barbara Olack,
Nicholas Benshoff,
Donna L Phelan,
Daniel C Brennan,
Luis A Fernandez,
Jon S Odorico,
Kenneth S Polonsky
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ABSTRACT: In recent years, transplantation of islets and pancreas has become a viable option for patients debilitated with type I diabetes. The success of islet transplantation has been attributed to the ability to isolate high quality islets for transplantation and capacity to maintain the recipient's immunosuppressive levels within a specific target range following transplantation. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of pretransplant sensitization to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) in islet transplantation.
We retrospectively analyzed seven patients that were transplanted with islets under the auspices of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Islet Cell Resource Center/National Institutes of Health. Humoral sensitization towards donor antigens both prior to and following islet transplantation was detected by FLOW panel reactive antibodies (PRA) and donor-specific cellular sensitization was detected by performing enzyme-linked immunospot assay analysis for cytokines interferon-gamma and interleukin-2.
Our analysis demonstrates that humoral and cellular sensitization to histocompatibility antigens prior to and after islet transplantation are associated with the failure of transplanted islets
Patient selection based on sensitization to donor HLA may be one of the factors crucial for the success of islet transplant. Further, in some patients, rejection of islets can be associated with sensitization to mismatched donor histocompatibility antigens.
Transplantation 08/2006; 82(2):180-7. · 4.00 Impact Factor
