Biliary cast syndrome following liver transplantation: Predictive factors and clinical outcomes.

Biliary cast syndrome (BCS), the presence of biliary casts and debris causing biliary obstruction, occurs in 4%-18% of orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients. Potential consequences include cholangitis and graft damage or loss. Limited data exist regarding the etiology and outcomes of BCS.

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.