Septic shock after liver transplantation for Caroli's disease: clinical improvement after treatment with C1-esterase inhibitor

Successful use of daily intravenous infusion of C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate in the treatment of a hereditary angioedema patient with ascites, hypovolemic shock, sepsis, renal and respiratory failure

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant disease most commonly associated with defects in C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH). HAE manifests as recurrent episodes of edema in various body locations. Atypical symptoms, such as ascites, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and hypovolemic shock, have also been reported. Management of HAE conventionally involves the treatment of acute attacks, as well as short- and long-term prophylaxis. Since attacks can be triggered by several factors, including stress and physical trauma, prophylactic therapy is recommended for patients undergoing surgery. Human plasma-derived C1-INH (pdC1-INH) concentrate is indicated for the treatment of both acute HAE attacks and pre-procedure prevention of HAE episodes in patients undergoing medical, dental, or surgical procedures. We report the first case of a patient with HAE who experienced an abdominal attack precipitated by a retroperitoneal bleed while being converted from warfarin to heparin in preparation for surgery. Subsequently, the patient had a protracted course in hospital with other complications, which included hypovolemic shock, ascites, severe sepsis from nosocomial pneumonia, renal and respiratory failure. Despite intensive interventions, the patient remained in a critical state for months; however, after a trial of daily intravenous infusion of pdC1-INH concentrate (Berinert®, CSL Behring GmbH, Marburg, Germany), clinical status improved, particularly renal function. Therefore, pdC1-INH concentrate may be an effective treatment option to consider for critically-ill patients with HAE.

Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Caroli's Disease: A Report of Two Cases

Caroli's disease (CD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by intrahepatic cystic dilatation of the bile ducts. Patients with bilobar or progressive disease may require orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In the MELD era, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) raised as the ultimate treatment option for these patients, once their MELD score is usually low. Herein, we describe 2 cases of patients (a 2-year-old girl and a 19-year-old teenager) that successfully underwent LDLT as a treatment for diffuse CD. The good postoperative courses of the two cases indicate that LDLT is a feasible option in the treatment of this disorder, even in complicated or early age patients.

A single center experience of combined liver kidney transplantation

With advancements in the operative techniques, patient survival following liver transplantation (LTx) has increased substantially. This has led to the acceleration of pre-existing kidney disease because of immunosuppressive nephrotoxicity making additional kidney transplantation (KTx) inevitable. On the other hand, in a growing number of patients on the waiting list to receive liver, long waiting time has resulted in adverse effect of decompensated liver on the kidney function. During the last two decades, the transplant community has considered combined liver kidney transplantation (CLKTx) to overcome this problem. The aim of our study is to present an overview of our experience as well as a review of the literature in CLKTx and to discuss the controversy in this regard. All performed CLKTx (n = 22) at our institution as well as all available reported case series focusing on CLKTx are extracted. The references of the manuscripts were cross-checked to implement further articles into the review. The analyzed parameters include demographic data, indication for LTx and KTx, duration on the waiting list, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, immunosuppressive regimen, post-transplant complications, graft and patient survival, and cause of death. From 1988 to 2009, a total of 22 CLKTx were performed at our institution. The median age of the patients at the time of CLKTx was 44.8 (range: 4.5-58.3 yr). The indications for LTx were liver cirrhosis, hyperoxaluria type 1, polycystic liver disease, primary or secondary sclerosing cholangitis, malignant hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, cystinosis, and congenital biliary fibrosis. The KTx indications were end-stage renal disease of various causes, hyperoxaluria type 1, polycystic kidney disease, and cystinosis. The mean follow-up duration for CLKTx patients were 4.6 +/- 3.5 yr (range: 0.5-12 yr). Overall, the most important encountered complications were sepsis (n = 8), liver failure leading to retransplantation (n = 4), liver rejection (n = 3), and kidney rejection (n = 1). The overall patient survival rate was 80%. Review of the literature showed that from 1984 to 2008, 3536 CLKTx cases were reported. The main indications for CLKTx were oxalosis of both organs, liver cirrhosis and chronic renal failure, polycystic liver and kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis along with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). The most common encountered complications following CLKTx were infection, bleeding, biliary complications, retransplantation of the liver, acute hepatic artery thrombosis, and retransplantation of the kidney. From the available data regarding the need for post-operative dialysis (n = 673), a total of 175 recipients (26%) required hemodialysis. During the follow-up period, 154 episodes of liver rejection (4.3%) and 113 episodes of kidney rejection (3.2%) occurred. The cumulative 1, 2, 3, and 5 yr survival of both organs were 78.2%, 74.4%, 62.4%, and 60.9%, respectively. Additionally, the cumulative 1, 2, 3, and 5 yr patient survival were 84.9%, 52.8%, 45.4%, and 42.6%, respectively. The total number of reported deaths was 181 of 2808 cases (6.4%), from them the cause of death in 99 (55%) cases was sepsis. It can be concluded that there is still no definitive evidence of better graft and patient survival in CLKTx recipients when compared with LTx alone because of the complexity of the exact definition of irreversible kidney function in LTx candidates. Additionally, CLKTx is better to be performed earlier than isolated LTx and KTx leading to the avoidance of deterioration of clinical status, high rate of graft loss, and mortality. Shorter graft ischemia time and more effective immunosuppressive regimens can reduce the incidence of graft malfunctioning in CLKTx patients. Providing a model to reliably determine the need for CLKTx seems necessary. Such a model can be shaped based upon new and precise markers of renal function, and modification of MELD system.

The place of liver transplantation in Caroli's disease and syndrome

Caroli's disease (CD) or syndrome (CS) are rare inherited disorders which may cause severe, life-threatening, cholangitis or which may lead to hepatobiliary degeneration. The typical cystic biliary anomalies are often associated to congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) and, less frequently, to cystic renal disease especially autosomic recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). The place of liver transplantation (LT) in the treatment of CD or CS is evaluated based on our own experience of three successfully transplanted patients, the literature review of 19 patients and the European experience with 110 patients collected in the European Liver Transplant Registry. LT should be proposed as a definitive therapeutic option once severe cholangitis or (suspicion of) malignant transformation is present. The frequently used radiological, endoscopical or surgical biliary drainage procedures carry a high morbidity and mortality rate. In case of concomitant symptomatic CHF and renal failure, combined or sequential hepatorenal transplantation should be carried out, dependent on the evolution of the hepatic and renal disease. In case of associated ARPKD, renal transplantation is often indicated early on because of the more rapid progression of the renal component of the disease.

C1 inhibitor: molecular and clinical aspects

C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) is a serine protease inhibitor (serpins) that inactivates several different proteases in the complement, contact, coagulation, and fibrinolytic systems. By its C-terminal part (serpin domain), characterized by three beta-sheets and an exposed mobile reactive loop, C1-INH binds, and blocks the activity of its target proteases. The N-terminal end (nonserpin domain) confers to C1-INH the capacity to bind lipopolysaccharides and E-selectin. Owing to this moiety, C1-INH intervenes in regulation of the inflammatory reaction. The heterozygous deficiency of C1-INH results in hereditary angioedema (HAE). The clinical picture of HAE is characterized by bouts of local increase in vascular permeability. Depending on the affected site, patients suffer from disfiguring subcutaneous edema, abdominal pain, vomiting and/or diarrhoea for edema of the gastrointestinal mucosa, dysphagia, and dysphonia up to asphyxia for edema of the pharynx and larynx. Apart from its genetic deficiency, there are several pathological conditions such as ischemia-reperfusion, septic shock, capillary leak syndrome, and pancreatitis, in which C1-INH has been reported to either play a pathogenic role or be a potential therapeutic tool. These potential applications were identified long ago, but controlled studies have not been performed to confirm pilot experiences. Recombinant C1-INH, produced in transgenic animals, has recently been produced for treatment of HAE, and clinical trials are in progress. We can expect that the introduction of this new product, along with the existing plasma derivative, will renew interest in exploiting C1-INH as a therapeutic agent.

Terminal complement complex in septic shock with capillary leakage: marker of complement activation?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of terminal complement complex (C5b-9) plasma levels as a marker for complement activation in septic shock with concomitant capillary leak syndrome.

METHODS

In a prospective animal study 10 fasted, anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated and multi-catheterized pigs (20.6 +/- 1.3 kg) were investigated over a period of 8 h. Sepsis was induced by faecal peritonitis (1 g kg(-1) body weight faeces, n = 5) and compared to controls (n = 5). The animals received 6% hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5 to maintain a central venous pressure of 12 mmHg. To quantify capillary leak syndrome, albumin escape rate was measured using 99mTc-labelled human serum albumin. Plasma levels of terminal complement complex were measured in a double antibody immunoassay (neoepitope-specific MoAb aE 11 as catching antibody). Immunohistological studies of renal specimens were performed to detect terminal complement complex deposition.

RESULTS

Albumen escape rate increased in septic animals (+ 52%) compared to controls (+ 3%, P < 0.05). Plasma levels of terminal complement complex decreased during the study period in both groups. In septic animals this finding was accompanied by a significant deposition of terminal complement complex in renal specimens (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We found an activation of the complement system proven by marked deposition of terminal complement complex in renal specimen, while its plasma levels decreased during the study period in septic and control animals. These results suggest that in septic shock with capillary leak syndrome plasma level of terminal complement complex may not be a reliable marker of complement activation.

C1-inhibitor for prophylaxis of xenograft rejection after pig to cynomolgus monkey kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND

Early rejection of discordant porcine xenografts in primate recipients is initiated by the intragraft binding of either preformed (hyperacute xenograft rejection) or induced (acute vascular rejection) antiporcine recipient antibodies with subsequent complement activation via the classical pathway. We have investigated the efficacy of the supplemental administration of C1-inhibitor (C1-INH), a specific inhibitor of the classical complement activation pathway, for prophylaxis of xenograft rejection in a pig to primate kidney xenotransplantation setting.

METHODS

Based on the results of pharmacokinetic studies performed in two nontransplanted monkeys, supplemental C1-INH therapy was administered daily to three Cynomolgus monkeys receiving a life-supporting porcine kidney transplant together with cyclophosphamide-induction/cyclosporine A/mycophenolat-mofetil/steroid immunosuppressive therapy.

RESULTS

In the three monkeys receiving porcine kidney xenografts and continuous C1-INH treatment none of the grafts underwent hyperacute rejection; all xenografts showed initial function. Recipient survival was 13, 15, and 5 days. No graft was lost due to acute vascular rejection. All animals died with a functioning graft (latest creatinine 96, 112, and 96 micromol/liter) due to bacterial septicemia.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that, in our model, supplemental C1-INH therapy together with a standard immunosuppressive regimen can be helpful for prevention of xenograft rejection in a pig to primate kidney xenotransplantation setting. The optimal dose and duration of C1-INH treatment, however, has yet to be determined.

Pathophysiology of renal disease associated with liver disorders: implications for liver transplantation. Part I

Renal and hepatic function are often intertwined through both the existence of associated primary organ diseases and hemodynamic interrelationships. This connection occasionally results in the chronic failure of both organs, necessitating combined liver-kidney transplantation (LKT). Since 1988, more than 850 patients in the United States have received such transplants, with patient survival somewhat less than that for patients receiving either organ alone. Patients with renal failure caused by acute injury or hepatorenal syndrome have classically not been included as candidates for combined transplantation because of the reversibility of renal dysfunction after liver transplantation. However, the rate and duration of renal failure before liver transplantation is increasing in association with prolonged waiting list times. Thus, the issue of acquired permanent renal damage in the setting of hepatic failure continues to confront the transplant community. The following article and its sequel (Part II, to be published in vol 8, no 3 of this journal) attempt to review the problem of primary and secondary renal disease in patients with end-stage liver disease, elements involved in renal disease progression and recovery, the impact of renal disease on liver transplant outcome, and results of combined LKT; outline the steps in the pretransplantation renal evaluation; and provide the beginnings of an algorithm for making the decision for combined LKT.

C1-inhibitor: an anti-inflammatory reagent with therapeutic potential

Excessive activation of the protein cascade systems often leads to severe inflammatory tissue destruction with potential life-threatening outcome. These include clinical disorders, such as capillary leak syndrome, septic shock, myocardial infarction and other ischaemia/reperfusion injuries, trauma, burns, multiple organ failure, as well as graft rejection. A therapeutic substitution of appropriate regulators appears to be a reasonable approach to reduce undesirable inflammatory reactions. C1-inhibitor, a multifunctional regulator of the various kinin-generating cascade systems, is frequently reduced in patients suffering from severe inflammation. C1-inhibitor concentrate has been used for decades as a substitution therapy to treat acute attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema. Studies including pathophysiologically relevant animal models now provide sufficient evidence that C1-inhibitor may also serve as an effective means to protect against inflammatory tissue injury. Promising clinical results are emerging which support C1-inhibitor as a candidate for therapy in severe inflammatory disorders. Although treatment with C1-inhibitor is regarded as safe, recent reports on possible side effects in certain clinical situations emphasise the importance of controlled clinical studies. The following review will focus on the impact of C1-inhibitor treatment on diseases, where complement contributes to the pathogenesis.