Liver Transplant Combined With Heart Transplant in Severe Heterozygous Hypercholesterolemia: Report of the First Case and Review of the Literature

Domino Liver Transplantation for Unresectable Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis From a Donor With Heterozygous Familial Hyperlipidemia: A Case Report

Liver transplantation (LT) is a potential curative treatment for unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM). Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited condition characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Liver transplantation is offered for selected cases, and an explanted liver can be used as a domino graft. We report the first report of domino LT for unresectable CRLM using a liver from a patient with heterozygous FH. The domino donor was a 30-year-old female with a history of heterozygous FH. She had failed medical therapies for FH, including plasmapheresis; therefore, she underwent living donor LT as a treatment for FH. The explanted liver was transplanted to the domino recipient. She has been doing well with normal LDL-C levels. The domino recipient was a 44-year-old female with a history of stage 4 sigmoid cancer with liver metastases, for which she underwent laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy and right hepatectomy. She developed unresectable lesions in the remnant left lobe, which were controlled well with chemotherapy; therefore, she underwent domino LT. She is doing well without recurrence at the 31-month follow-up. Domino LT from a donor with heterozygous FH is feasible for strictly selected patients with unresectable CRLM.

The Effect of Mipomersen in the Management of Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) lead to significant adverse effects in coronary arteries. Mipomersen is a second-generation antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits the synthesis of apolipoprotein B-100, an essential component of low density lipoprotein (LDL), and thus decreases the production of LDL. We aimed to determine the effect of mipomersen in patients with FH. Methods: We searched Ovid Medline, Ovid EMBASE, WHO ICTRP search portal, ISI database, the reference lists of relevant articles, and also Google Scholar to retrieve articles. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing patients with FH receiving mipomersen as an add-on and a parallel group receiving a placebo or no intervention were selected. Results: Five studies with more than 500 patients were included. All had low risk of bias. Pooling data showed that mipomersen probably reduces LDL compared with placebo [mean difference: −24.79, 95% CI (−30.15, −19.43)] but with a moderate level of certainty. There was a high level of evidence for injection site reactions [RR = 2.56, CI (1.47–4.44)] and a low level for increased serum alanine transaminase (ALT) > 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) [RR = 5.19, CI (1.01–26.69)]. Conclusion: A moderate level of evidence in decreasing serum LDL indicates that we are uncertain if this drug provides benefit in any outcome important to patients. Although a low level of evidence for an increase in serum ALT leaves uncertainty about this adverse effect, injection site reactions in 10% or more of patients can be an important concern.

Case Report: Liver Transplantation in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)-Long-Term Follow-Up of a Patient and Literature Review

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder, frequently leading to an early cardiovascular death if not adequately treated. Since standard medications usually fail to reduce LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels satisfactorily, LDL-apheresis is a mainstay of managing HoFH patients but, at the same time, very burdensome and suboptimally effective. Liver transplantation (LT) has been previously shown to be a promising alternative. We report on a 14 year-long follow-up after LT in a HoFH patient. At the age of 4, the patient was referred to our institution because of the gradually increasing number of xanthomas on the knees, elbows, buttocks, and later the homozygous mutation c.1754T>C (p.Ile585Thr) on the LDL-receptor gene was confirmed. Despite subsequent intensive treatment with the combination of diet, statins, bile acid sequestrant, probucol, and LDL-apheresis, the patient developed valvular aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation by 12 years. At 16 years, the patient successfully underwent deceased-donor orthotopic LT. Nine years post-LT, we found total regression of the cutaneous xanthomas and atherosclerotic plaques and with normal endothelial function. Fourteen years post-LT, his clinical condition remained stable, but LDL-C levels have progressively risen. In addition, a systematic review of the literature and guidelines on the LT for HoFH patients was performed. Six of the 17 identified guidelines did not take LT as a treatment option in consideration at all. But still the majority of guidelines suggest LT as an exceptional therapeutic option or as the last resort option when all the other treatment options are inadequate or not tolerated. Most of the observed patients had some kind of cardiovascular disease before the LT. In 76% of LT, the cardiovascular burden did not progress after LT. According to our experience and in several other reported cases, the LDL-C levels are slowly increasing over time post LT. Most of the follow-up data were short termed; only a few case reports have followed patients for 10 or more years after LT. LT is a feasible therapeutic option for HoFH patients, reversing atherosclerotic changes uncontrollable by conservative therapy, thus importantly improving the HoFH patient's prognosis and quality of life.

Indications and outcomes of combined heart-liver transplant: A systematic review and met-analysis

BACKGROUND

Combined heart-liver transplantation (CHLT) has become a viable option for treating concomitant heart and liver failure. However, data are lacking with respect to long-term outcomes.

METHODS

An electronic search was performed to identify all studies on CHLT. Following application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of seven studies consisting of 99 CHLT patients were included from the original 1864 articles.

RESULTS

CHLT recipient mean age was 53.0 years (95% CI 48.0-58.0), 67.5% of which (95% CI 56.5-76.9) were male. 65.5% (95% CI 39.0-85.0) of patients developed heart failure due to amyloidosis whereas 21.6% (95% CI 12.3-35.2) developed heart failure due to congenital causes. The most common indication for liver transplant was amyloidosis [65.5% (95% CI 39.0-85.0)] followed by liver failure due to hepatitis C [13.8% (95% CI 2.1-54.4)]. The mean intensive care unit length of stay was 8 days (95% CI 5-11) with a mean length of stay of 24 days (95% CI 17-31). Cardiac allograft rejection within the first year was 24.7% (95% CI 9.5-50.7), including antibody mediated [5% (95% CI 1.7-15.2)] and T-cell mediated rejection [22.7% (95% CI 8.8-47.1)]. Overall survival was 87.5% (95% CI 78.6-93.0) at 1 year and 84.3% (95% CI 75.4-90.5) at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

CHLT in select patients with coexisting end-stage heart and liver failure appears to offer high survival and low rejection rates.

The curative treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia: Liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by premature mortal cardiovascular complications. Liver transplantation (LT) is the only curative treatment option. In this study, the long-term clinical follow-up data of 8 patients who underwent LT with a diagnosis of FH in our center are presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 638 LT were performed between December 1985 and June 2019 at Baskent University, of which 8 patients underwent LT with a diagnosis of FH and were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of the 8 patients, 4 underwent deceased donor and 4 living donor transplantation. Five patients had preoperative cardiovascular disease and consequent interventional operations. There was significant reduction in postoperative LDL-C and TC levels starting from the first week, and stabilizing at the first month and first year. The median survival time of patients was 5 years (2-12 years). All patients are still alive. None of the complications of patients with preoperative cardiovascular complications had progressed.

CONCLUSION

Liver transplantation is the preferred curative treatment for the pathophysiology of FH. In our study, LDL-C levels were brought under control with LT performed on patients with FH. Median 5-year follow-up of patients showed that the progression of cardiac complications was abated.

Liver Transplantation for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Pharmacological treatments to decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) have limited effects on patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). Since LDL receptors are located mainly in the liver, liver transplantation is considered to be the only way to correct the hepatic cholesterol metabolism abnormalities in HoFH. Liver transplantations, including those combined with heart transplantation, for HoFH have been increasing since 1984, making this a globally established therapeutic option for HoFH. Plasma LDL-C is reported to be dramatically lowered, by 80%, after transplantation, with the rapid regression of cutaneous and tendinous xanthomas. However, long-term cardiovascular benefits remain unclear. The major concerns about liver transplantation include surgical complications, the need for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, and rejection. In addition, organ transplantations from deceased donors are extremely rare in Japan. We experienced two pediatric siblings with HoFH who received living-donor liver transplantations from their heterozygous parents. Their plasma LDL-C levels decreased immediately and stabilized at approximately 200 mg/dL. Both developed normally with the administration of lipid-lowering medications and have been free of severe problems for more than 10 years, to date, since transplantation. In Japan, where the shortage of deceased donors is critical, the combination of living-donor liver transplant from a heterozygous donor, that is, usually a parent, and medication is regarded as a valid therapeutic option for HoFH. Further studies and clinical experience are required to establish liver transplantation as a safe and effective treatment for HoFH.

Liver transplantation for pediatric inherited metabolic disorders: Considerations for indications, complications, and perioperative management

LT is an effective therapeutic option for a variety of IEM. This approach can significantly improve the quality of life of patients who suffer from severe disease manifestations and/or life-threatening metabolic decompensations despite medical/dietary management. Due to the significant risks for systemic complications from surgical stressors, careful perioperative management is vital. Even after LT, some disorders require long-term dietary restriction, medical management, and monitoring of metabolites. Successful liver transplant for these complex disorders can be achieved with disease- and patient-specific strategies using a multidisciplinary approach. In this article, we review indications, complications, perioperative management, and long-term follow-up recommendations for IEM that are treatable with LT.

Combined heart-liver transplantation: Indications, outcomes and current experience

Combined heart-liver transplantation is a rare, life-saving procedure that treats complex and often fatal diseases including familial amyloidosis polyneuropathy and late stage congenital heart disease status-post previous repair. There were 159 combined heart-liver transplantations performed between January 1, 1988 and October 3, 2014 in the United States. A multitude of potential techniques to be used for combined heart and liver transplant including: orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) and orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) on full cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), OHT with CPB and OLT with venovenous bypass (VVB), OHT with CPB and OLT without VVB, en-bloc technique and sequential transplantation. Outcomes of combined heart-liver transplant have been demonstrated to be comparable to outcomes of isolated heart and isolated liver transplant. The liver graft may provide some tolerance of other allografts.

Liver transplantation for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia in an era of emerging lipid-lowering therapies

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) causes severe premature coronary artery disease because of very high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. Standard lipid-lowering drugs and LDL-apheresis may not be sufficiently effective. Liver transplantation replaces defective LDL receptors and vastly improves the lipid profile, and we present the first report of an Australian adult to receive this treatment. Emerging drug treatments for FH may be alternatives to LDL-apheresis and transplantation, but long-term safety and efficacy data are lacking for all of these options.

Transmission of LDLR mutation from donor through liver transplantation resulting in hypercholesterolemia in the recipient

Donor-transmitted disease in organ transplantation is uncommon, but possible. The LDL receptor (LDLR), a key regulator of lipoprotein metabolism, is abundant in the liver. Mutations in the LDLR gene, leading to reduced LDLR activity, are the main cause for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The estimated prevalence of FH is 1/200-1/500 in the population indicating that there are 14-34 million individuals with FH worldwide. We describe a patient who developed severe hypercholesterolemia after liver transplantation (LT). The 42-year-old female, who was transplanted because of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma with normal liver function, exhibited an increase in plasma total cholesterol from 5.6 mmol/L (217 mg/dL) pretransplant to 11.7 mmol/L (452 mg/dL) at 6 months posttransplant. The respective increase in LDL cholesterol was from 3.30 (128 mg/dL) to 8.99 mmol/L (348 mg/dL). At 1 year, total and LDL cholesterol levels were 11.0 (425 mg/dL) and 7.81 (302 mg/dL), respectively. Sequencing of the coding region of LDLR from a liver graft biopsy revealed a splicing heterozygous mutation of LDLR, whereas no FH-related mutation was found in DNA extracted from the patient's blood white cells. This confirmed the first reported case of a patient receiving a mutation in LDLR through LT. The case shows that a donor-transmitted disorder should not be overlooked as a possible cause for severe hypercholesterolemia.

A review of the United States experience with combined heart-liver transplantation

Since first described by Starzl, combined heart and liver transplantation (CHLT) has been a relatively rare event, although utilization has increased in the past decade. This study was undertaken to review the United States experience with this procedure; UNOS data on CHLT was reviewed. CHLT was compared with liver transplantation alone and heart transplantation alone in terms of acute rejection within 12 months, graft survival, and patient survival. Survival was calculated according to Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards. Continuous variables were compared using Student's t-test and categorical variables with chi-squared. Between 1987 and 2010, there were 97 reported cases of CHLT in the United States. Amyloidosis was the most common indication for both heart (n = 26, 26.8%) and liver (n = 27, 27.8%) transplantation in this cohort. Liver graft survival in the CHLT cohort at 1, 5, and 10 years was 83.4%, 72.8%, and 71.0%, whereas survival of the cardiac allograft was 83.5%, 73.2%, and 71.5%. This was similar to graft survival in liver alone transplantation (79.4%, 71.0%, 65.1%; P = 0.894) and heart transplantation alone (82.6%, 71.9%, 63.2%; P = 0.341). CHLT is a safe and effective procedure, with graft survival rates similar to isolated heart and isolated liver transplantation.

Implantation of the liver during reperfusion of the heart in combined heart-liver transplantation: own experience and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

There are only a few reports about combined heart-liver transplantations. The surgical techniques differ widely, ranging from sequential implantation of the organs to simultaneous transplantations. We report our experience with simultaneous, combined heart-liver transplantations without using a veno-venous bypass demonstrating that this is a feasible surgical technique.

METHODS

Since 2005, we performed 4 combined heart-liver transplantations by implanting the liver during the reperfusion period of the newly implanted heart. We retrospectively reviewed patient clinical data and outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 534 ± 247 minutes and the ischemia times for heart and liver were 190 ± 72 minutes (cold ischemia time for the heart), 98 ± 96 minutes (warm ischemia time for the heart), 349 ± 101 minutes (cold ischemia time for the liver), and 36.25 ± 3.5 minutes (warm ischemia time for the liver). Three patients were discharged from the hospital after an uneventful clinical course. One patient died due to multi-organ failure during the intensive care unit stay on the 23rd postoperative day.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that combined, simultaneous heart-liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass is a feasible surgical technique.

Liver transplantation as a treatment option for three siblings with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

FH is a hereditary inherited disorder of cholesterol metabolism. Homozygous form of the disease associates severe form of atherosclerotic disease. Clinicians have been tried to inhibit the progression of the homozygous FH with medical and surgical treatment. We here present three siblings with homozygous FH who were successfully treated with liver transplantation.

Optimal management of familial hypercholesterolemia: treatment and management strategies

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an autosomally dominant disorder caused by various mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor genes. This will lead to elevated levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which may in turn lead to premature coronary atherosclerosis and cardiac-related death. The symptoms are more severe in the homozygous type of the disease. Different options for the treatment of affected patients are now available. Diet therapy, pharmacologic therapy, lipid apheresis, and liver transplantation are among the various treatments. We clinically review the treatment and management strategies for the disease in order to shed light on the optimal management of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia and bilio-pancreatic diversion: A case report

SUMMARY

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is typically an autosomal dominant disorder but a rare variant, autosomal recessive FH (ARH) does also exist. The most serious symptom is sudden death, myocardial infarction, or angina due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Therefore, treatment of ARH is aimed to alter the course of disease before the onset of CAD. Multiple treatment options available varying from life style modification to organ replacement with favourable outcome. We report a case of autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH) who was treated with bilio-pancreatic diversion (BPD) with satisfying results.:

Combined heart and liver transplantation: a single-center experience. Transplantation. 2009;88:219-225. [PMID: 19623017 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181ac60db]

BACKGROUND

Simultaneous combined orthotopic heart and liver transplantation (CHLTx) remains a lifesaving procedure for the patients suffering from coincident end-stage heart and liver disease and several metabolic disorders. We analyze the long-term outcome of the patients undergoing CHLTx.

METHODS

Between January 1992 and May 2007, 15 CHLTx were attempted at the Mayo Clinic including two combined heart, liver, and kidney transplantations and one combined heart, lung, and liver transplantations. Pretransplant cardiac diagnoses were familial amyloidosis (11), hemochromatosis (1), restrictive cardiomyopathy and cardiac cirrhosis (1), previously operated congenital heart disease and cardiac cirrhosis (1), and primary pulmonary hypertension with primary biliary cirrhosis (1).

RESULTS

Heart and liver transplantation were performed as a single combined procedure in 13 (93%) hemodynamically stable patients, and there was no perioperative mortality. Survival rates for the CHLTx recipients at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years were 100%, 75%, and 60%, respectively, and did not differ from survival after isolated heart transplantation (93%, 83%, and 65%, respectively, P=0.39). Freedom from cardiac allograft rejection (ISHLT > or =grade 2) for CHLTx was 83% at 1 month, did not change with time, and was lower than after isolated heart transplantation (P=0.02). At the mean follow-up of 61.6+/-53.6 months, normal left ventricular ejection fraction and good liver allograft function were demonstrated. Three patients developed end-stage renal failure secondary to calcineurin nephrotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Simultaneous heart and liver transplantation is feasible and achieved excellent results for selected patients.

Pediatric liver transplantation for metabolic liver disease: experience at King's College Hospital. Transplantation. 2009;87:87-93. [PMID: 19136896 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e31818bc0c4]

AIMS

The aims of this article were to report a single-center experience of pediatric liver transplantation for liver-based metabolic disorders and to compare the outcome of cirrhotic versus noncirrhotic metabolic liver disease.

METHODS

The medical records of 96 patients younger than 18 years undergoing transplantation for liver-based metabolic disorders from 1989 to 2005 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Hundred twelve transplants were performed in 96 patients at a median age of 59.7 months (range, 0-208 months). The cumulative 1-, 5-, and 10-year graft and patient survival rates were 83%, 77%, and 62% and 91%, 86%, and 82%, respectively. Acute liver failure at first presentation (hazard ratio [HR] 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-8.1), age less than 1 year at time of transplantation (HR 4.6; 95% CI 1.7-12.4) and hospitalization (HR 3.2; 95% CI 1.1-9.3) were significant predictors of worse patient survival. For noncirrhotic disorders, the long-term patient (100% vs. 100%, 90% vs. 100%, and 90% vs. 75%, P=0.87) and graft survivals (93% vs. 100%, 70% vs. 100%, and 70 vs. 75%, P=0.12) at 1, 5, and 7 years for auxiliary versus orthotopic transplantation were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term patient survival after transplantation for metabolic disorders is excellent for both cirrhotic and noncirrhotic metabolic disorders. For noncirrhotic metabolic disorders, auxiliary transplantation has similar patient and graft survival compared with orthotopic transplantation, but further research is recommended.

Current state of combined heart-liver transplantation in the United States

BACKGROUND

Combined heart-liver transplantation (CHLT) has been increasingly performed in the USA, but published data on overall patient and graft outcomes have been limited.

METHODS

This study aimed to review the indications, immunosuppression, complications and outcomes of CHLT in the USA. From October 1987 to December 2005, a total of 47 cases of combined heart-liver (n = 41) and heart-liver-kidney transplantation (n = 6) were reported to the United Network for Sharing (UNOS) database. One pediatric case was excluded from the analysis. The mean age of recipients was 46 years (range, 22 to 65 years) and included 31 (67%) men and 16 (33%) women.

RESULTS

The most common indication for both heart and liver transplantation was amyloidosis (30%). Patients were followed for a mean duration of 1,362 days or 3.7 years (range, 1 to 4,598 days or 0 to 12.6 years). Patient, heart and liver graft survival rates were 84.8%, 84.8% and 82.4% at 1 year, and 75.6%, 75.6% and 73.5% at 5 years, respectively. At the latest follow-up of patients who survived at least 6 months after transplantation (n = 39), 28.2% of patients were on a single immunosuppressive agent.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined heart-liver transplantation is a viable option for candidates who require the combined transplantation, with outcomes comparable to those of single-organ recipients.

LDLR promoter variant and exon 14 mutation on the same chromosome are associated with an unusually severe FH phenotype and treatment resistance

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common form of autosomal-dominant hypercholesterolemia, and is caused by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. Heterozygous FH is characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and early-onset cardiovascular disease, whereas homozygous FH results in more severe LDL cholesterol elevation with death by 20 years of age. We present here the case of an African-American female FH patient presenting with a myocardial infarction at the age of 48, recurrent angina pectoris and numerous coronary artery stents. Her pretreated LDL cholesterol levels were more typical of a homozygous FH pattern and she was resistant to conventional lipid-lowering treatment, yet her other clinical parameters were not necessarily consistent with homozygous FH. Genetic testing revealed two LDLR variants on the same chromosome: one a novel missense mutation in exon 14 (Cys681Gly) and the other a promoter variant (IVS1-217C>T) previously shown to result in increased LDLR transcription. Disease-associated PCSK9 or APOB mutations were not identified in this individual. Overall, her genetic and clinical profile suggests that enhanced expression of the mutant LDLR allele resulted in a severe phenotype with characteristics of both heterozygous and homozygous FH.

Combined cardiohepatic transplantation due to severe heterozygous familiar hypercholesteremia type II: first case in Argentina--a case report

Heterozygous familial hypercholesteremia type II is a recessive autonomic disease with a population incidence <or=1:500. It develops as a consequence of a mutation in the LDLR gene. Patients suffer extremely high LDL and VLDL cholesterol values, dying from coronary compromise at early ages. As cholesterol synthesis is an hepatic process, and as there is a lack of gene therapy, hepatic transplantation is the only therapeutic option in cases refractory to medical treatment. In this report, we have described the first case of combined cardiohepatic transplantation in Argentina, which was performed in a male patient with severe aortic stenosis and terminal ischemic cardiopathy secondary to severe familial hypercholesteremia type II.

Long-term outcome after living donor liver transplantation for two cases of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia from a heterozygous donor

AIM

We experienced two pediatric siblings with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who received living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) from their parents who were heterozygous for FH.

METHODS

The elder brother presented orange cutaneous xanthomas and was diagnosed as homozygous FH at the age of one. The plasma lipid profile showed that his total cholesterol level was 898 mg/dL (23.2 mmol/L), LDL cholesterol level was 756 mg/dL (19.6 mmol/L) and triglyceride level was 60 mg/dL (0.7 mmol/L). There were no living donors with a normal LDL receptor in their family, and it was difficult to find a deceased donor in Japan; thus he underwent LDLT with his father as the donor. His sister was born 2 years after his LDLT. She underwent ABO-incompatible LDLT at the age of 2 with her mother as the donor.

RESULTS

The boy's liver function tests normalized immediately after transplantation, and his cholesterol has remained controlled at around 280 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L), with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor for 6 years after LDLT. The girl's cholesterol remained stable at around 280 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L) under treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor two years after LDLT. At present, the four patients, including the two donors, are leading normal daily lives.

CONCLUSION

Living-donor liver transplantation from a donor with heterozygous FH is a feasible indication for the treatment of homozygous FH.