Retrospective evaluation of the association between hyponatremia and neurological dysfunction in hospitalized foals (2012-2016): 109 cases.

Objective: Hyponatremia and rapid correction of hyponatremia can lead to neurological abnormalities. The objective of the study was to determine whether plasma sodium concentrations (Na ) and speed of correction of hyponatremia are significantly associated with neurological abnormalities in foals.

Design: Retrospective cohort study 2012 to 2016.

Progression of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis is the leading indication for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx). HCV recurrence is universal after OLTx, with a highly variable course. This study aimed to find factors that affect progression of fibrosis in recurrent HCV.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for liver transplantation.

Objectives: To assess transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) as an effective bridge between the control of variceal bleeding or refractory ascites and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) and to examine whether TIPSS influences the operative procedures of OLTx.

Methods: Five patients treated by TIPSS prior to OLTx were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: The patients were followed up for 2-7 months (average 4.

Impact of anti-hepatitis Bc-positive grafts on the outcome of liver transplantation for HBV-related cirrhosis.

Background: The present scarcity of organ donors requires consideration of grafts from sources not previously used. Several studies have addressed the use of grafts from donors who have antibodies to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc+). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the use of anti-HBc+ grafts in patients transplanted for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis.

A concise update on the status of liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus: the challenges in 2002.

Significant improvements in both patient and graft survival after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver failure have been made during the last decade. Recurrence of HBV infection has decreased, even in high-risk patients. Despite ongoing progress, challenges remain for the next millennium, including the determination of cost-effective dosing strategies, treatment of HBV infection in liver transplant recipients, and ramifications of the use of new antiviral agents, specifically, the appearance of resistant strains.

A prospective randomized trial of tacrolimus and prednisone versus tacrolimus, prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil in primary adult liver transplantation: a single center report.

Background: Tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) are currently approved immunosuppressants for prevention of rejection in liver transplantation (LTx). They have different modes of action and toxicity profiles, but the efficacy and safety of MMF in primary liver transplantation with TAC has not been determined.

Methods: An Institutional Review Board-approved, open-label, single-center, prospective randomized trial was initiated to study the efficacy and toxicity of TAC and steroids (double-drug therapy (D)) versus TAC, steroids, and MMF (triple-drug therapy (T)) in primary adult LTx recipients.

Liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis: long term follow-up and impact of disease recurrence.

Background: Alcoholic liver disease has emerged as a leading indication for hepatic transplantation, although it is a controversial use of resources. We aimed to examine all aspects of liver transplantation associated with alcohol abuse.

Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of 123 alcoholic patients with a median of 7 years follow-up at one center.

Quantitation of immunosuppression by tacrolimus using flow cytometric analysis of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma inhibition in CD8(-) and CD8(+) peripheral blood T cells.

The authors have determined the frequency of intracellular interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) synthesis by T-cell subsets in whole blood (WB) and isolated lymphocytes in 16 transplant recipients treated with tacrolimus and 10 control patients who were not transplant recipients. The authors also determined the impact of varying amounts of red blood cells (RBC) on immunosuppression by tacrolimus. Samples were analyzed by two-color flow cytometry, and the results were expressed as a ratio of whole blood to isolated lymphocytes.

Influence of high donor serum sodium levels on early postoperative graft function in human liver transplantation: effect of correction of donor hypernatremia.

Donor hypernatremia was reported to cause postoperative graft dysfunction in human orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, the effects of the correction of donor hypernatremia before organ procurement have not been confirmed. The aim of this study is to determine whether donor hypernatremia is associated with early graft dysfunction after OLT and to determine the effect of the correction of donor hypernatremia.

Hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma: a proposal of a prognostic scoring system.

Background: Hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer provides excellent longterm results in a substantial proportion of patients. Although various prognostic risk factors have been identified, there has been no dependable staging or prognostic scoring system for metastatic hepatic tumors.

Study Design: Various clinical and pathologic risk factors were examined in 305 consecutive patients who underwent primary hepatic resections for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Infusion of donor leukocytes to induce tolerance in organ allograft recipients.

To further enhance chimerism, 229 primary allograft recipients have received perioperative intravenous infusion of a single dose of 3 to 6 X 10(8) unmodified donor bone marrow (BM) cells/kg body weight. In addition, 42 patients have been accrued in a concurrent protocol involving multiple (up to three) sequential perioperative infusions of 2 x 10(8) BM cells/kg/day from day 0-2 posttransplantation (PTx). Organ recipients (n = 133) for whom BM was not available were monitored as controls.

Outcome of liver transplantation in hepatitis C virus-infected patients who received hepatitis C virus-infected grafts.

Background & Aims: The present organ shortage has brought into question the suitability of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive grafts. This study reviewed the outcome of such transplantations in our institution.

Methods: Twenty-three HCV-positive patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for end-stage liver disease with HCV-positive grafts in 1992-1995 were studied.

Intermittent subcutaneous opioids: using an algorithm.

Nurses and patients prefer the administration of injections via an indwelling subcutaneous cannula. Patients undergoing intermediate and minor surgery need improved pain relief. The algorithm provides a safe and acceptable mechanism for administering subcutaneous opioids more frequently.

A prospective randomized trial of tacrolimus and prednisone versus tacrolimus, prednisone, and mycophenolate mofetil in primary adult liver transplant recipients: an interim report.

Background: Tacrolimus (Tac) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) are newly approved immunosuppressive agents. However, the safety and efficacy of the combination of MMF and Tac in primary liver transplantation has not been determined.

Methods: An Institutional Review Board-approved, open-label prospective randomized protocol was initiated to study the efficacy and toxicity of Tac and steroids (double-drug therapy) versus Tac, steroids, and MMF (triple-drug therapy) in primary adult liver transplant recipients.

Liver transplantation with cavoportal hemitransposition in the presence of diffuse portal vein thrombosis.

Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation is possible even in the presence of recipient portal vein thrombosis, provided that hepatopetal portal flow to the graft can be restored. On rare occasions this is not possible due to diffuse thrombosis of the portal venous system. In these cases, successful liver transplantation has been considered impossible.

Hemodynamic effects of inhaled nitric oxide in four patients with severe liver disease and pulmonary hypertension.

Patients with moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension have a very high mortality rate when undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. Because nitric oxide has been successful in reducing pulmonary artery pressures in certain patients with pulmonary hypertension, the efficacy of NO inhalation (40 and 80 ppm) in 4 patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with liver disease was determined. No clinically significant changes in pulmonary artery pressures or other hemodynamic parameters were observed using either concentration of NO.

Hepatitis G virus infection in American patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis: no evidence for liver replication.

It is unclear whether hepatitis G virus (HGV) can lead to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Eighty-nine patients with end-stage liver disease undergoing liver transplantation were studied: 50 were diagnosed as having cryptogenic cirrhosis while 39 had nonviral chronic liver disease. Five (10%) in the former and 1 (2.

Hepatitis G virus coinfection in hepatitis C virus-infected liver transplant recipients.

Background: In this study, we determined the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in end-stage hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease and examined the influence of HGV coinfection on the outcome of liver transplantation.

Methods: HGV was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting in sera drawn from 159 patients who were known to be HCV infected before transplantation. Patients were followed up for a mean of 28.