When Push Comes to Shove! Emergency ABO-Incompatible Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplant for Acute Wilson's Disease.
J Clin Exp Hepatol 2022;
12:658-663. [PMID:
35535085 PMCID:
PMC9077158 DOI:
10.1016/j.jceh.2021.08.008]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
ABO-incompatible living donor liver transplantation (ABOi-LDLT) is on the rise as a viable option in countries with limited access to deceased donor grafts. While reported outcomes of ABOi-LT in children are similar to ABO- Compatible liver transplant (ABOc-LT), most children beyond 1-2 years of age will need desensitization to overcome the immunological barrier of incompatible blood groups. The current standard protocol for desensitization is Rituximab that targets B lymphocytes and is given 2-3 weeks prior to LT. However, this timeline may not be feasible in children requiring emergency LT for acute liver failure (ALF) or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). In this emergency situation of ABOi-LT, a safe multipronged approach may be an acceptable alternative solution. We report a child with acute Wilson's disease with rapidly deteriorating liver function who underwent a successful ABOi-LDLT using a rapid desensitization protocol.
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