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Cooper KM, Colletta A, Hathaway NJ, Liu D, Gonzalez D, Talat A, Barry C, Krishnarao A, Mehta S, Movahedi B, Martins PN, Devuni D. Delayed referral for liver transplant evaluation worsens outcomes in chronic liver disease patients requiring inpatient transplant evaluation. World J Transplant 2023; 13:169-182. [PMID: 37388395 PMCID: PMC10303412 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v13.i4.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indications to refer patients with cirrhosis for liver transplant evaluation (LTE) include hepatic decompensation or a model for end stage liver disease (MELD-Na) score ≥ 15. Few studies have evaluated how delaying referral beyond these criteria affects patient outcomes.
AIM To evaluate clinical characteristics of patients undergoing inpatient LTE and to assess the effects of delayed LTE on patient outcomes (death, transplantation).
METHODS This is a single center retrospective cohort study assessing all patients undergoing inpatient LTE (n = 159) at a large quaternary care and liver transplant center between 10/23/2017-7/31/2021. Delayed referral was defined as having prior indication (decompensation, MELD-Na ≥ 15) for LTE without referral. Early referral was defined as referrals made within 3 mo of having an indication based on practice guidelines. Logistic regression and Cox Hazard Regression were used to evaluate the relationship between delayed referral and patient outcomes.
RESULTS Many patients who require expedited inpatient LTE had delayed referrals. Misconceptions regarding transplant candidacy were a leading cause of delayed referral. Ultimately, delayed referrals negatively affected overall patient outcome and an independent predictor of both death and not receiving a transplant. Delayed referral was associated with a 2.5 hazard risk of death.
CONCLUSION Beyond initial access to an liver transplant (LT) center, delaying LTE increases risk of death and reduces risk of LT in patients with chronic liver disease. There is substantial opportunity to increase the percentage of patients undergoing LTE when first clinically indicated. It is crucial for providers to remain informed about the latest guidelines on liver transplant candidacy and the transplant referral process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Cooper
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Alessandro Colletta
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Nicholas J Hathaway
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Diana Liu
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Daniella Gonzalez
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Arslan Talat
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Curtis Barry
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Anita Krishnarao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Savant Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Babak Movahedi
- Department of Surgery, Transplant Division, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Paulo N Martins
- Department of Surgery, Transplant Division, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
| | - Deepika Devuni
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States
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Addoumieh A, Abdallah MS, Ballout JA, Thuita L, Klein A, Jaber WA, Arsanjani R, Carey W, Majdalany D. Clinical implications of inducible left ventricular outflow tract obstruction among patients undergoing liver transplant evaluation. Am Heart J Plus 2021; 4:100026. [PMID: 38559677 PMCID: PMC10976285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2021.100026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Patients with end stage liver disease (ESLD) have a hyperdynamic state due to decreased systemic vascular resistance and increased cardiac output. Preoperative evaluation with dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is used to risk-stratify patients prior to liver transplant. We sought to identify the impact of inducible left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) on DSE on post-operative liver transplant outcomes. Methods Patients with ESLD who underwent liver transplant at Cleveland Clinic between January 2007 and August 2016 were identified. Pre-operative DSE data, and post-operative intensive care unit (ICU) data were extracted. Patients with inducible LVOTO were compared to those without LVOTO. Results Of the 515 patients identified who underwent DSE prior to liver transplant, 165 (30%) were female, and 95 (18%) had LVOTO. There were no major differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. In the LVOTO group, rest gradients were 10.8 ± 3 mm Hg while peak gradients were 90 ± 48.2 mm Hg. No significant differences in ICU length of stay or duration of mechanical ventilation between both groups were noted. There were 21 deaths at 30 days. There were 2 (2.1%) deaths in the LVOTO group, versus 19 (4.5%) deaths in the non LVOTO group (p = 0.28). Higher Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores predicted longer duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay. Conclusion Inducible LVOTO on DSE does not adversely affect the short-term outcomes post liver transplant. Presence of inducible LVOTO should not be the mere reason to deny liver transplant among patients with ESLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jad A. Ballout
- Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA
| | - Lucy Thuita
- Quantitative Health Science Department, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA
| | - Allan Klein
- Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA
| | - Wael A. Jaber
- Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA
| | - Reza Arsanjani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - William Carey
- Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA
| | - David Majdalany
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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