The Clinical Relevance of Prior Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Alcohol-Related Liver Disease in a Nationwide Belgian Liver Transplant Population.

Background And Aims: Patients with a history of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) are susceptible to developing alcohol use disorder. Outcome after transplantation for alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) has not been studied in-depth.

Methods: We included adult patients who underwent a liver transplantation (LT) in Belgium between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2022 for ALD.

Hepatic Stellate Cells: Dictating Outcome in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fast growing, chronic liver disease affecting ∼25% of the global population. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity ranges from the less severe simple hepatic steatosis to the more advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The presence of NASH predisposes individuals to liver fibrosis, which can further progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Validation of risk scores for allograft failure after liver transplantation in Germany: a retrospective cohort analysis.

A growing number of clinical risk scores have been proposed to predict allograft failure after liver transplantation. However, validation of currently available scores in the Eurotransplant region is still lacking. We aimed to analyze all clinically relevant donor and recipient risk scores on a large German liver transplantation data set and performed a retrospective cohort analysis of liver transplantations performed at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin from January 2007 until December 2021 with organs from donation after brain death.

Treating inflammation to combat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with its more progressive form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has become the most common chronic liver disease, thereby representing a great burden for patients and healthcare systems. Specific pharmacological therapies for NAFLD are still missing. Inflammation is an important driver in the pathogenesis of NASH, and the mechanisms underlying inflammation in NAFLD represent possible therapeutic targets.

Over 30 Years of Pediatric Liver Transplantation at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

Background: Pediatric liver transplantation (LT) is the treatment of choice for children with end-stage liver disease and in certain cases of hepatic malignancies. Due to low case numbers, a technically demanding procedure, the need for highly specialized perioperative intensive care, and immunological, as well as infectious, challenges, the highest level of interdisciplinary cooperation is required. The aim of our study was to analyze short- and long-term outcomes of pediatric LT in our center.

Transplantation programs facing lack of empirical evidence on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A society recommendation consensus update.

Background: Since phase III trials for the most prominent vaccines excluded immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients, data on safety and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for recipients of solid organ transplantations are scarce.

Aims: Our study offers a synthesis of expert opinions aligned with available data addressing key questions of the clinical management of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations for transplant patients.

Method: An online research was performed retrieving available recommendations by national and international transplantation organizations and state institutions on SARS-CoV2 vaccination management for transplant recipients.

Treatment of Anti-HLA Donor-Specific Antibodies Results in Increased Infectious Complications and Impairs Survival after Liver Transplantation.

Donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (DSA) are controversially discussed in the context of liver transplantation (LT). We investigated the relationship between the presence of DSA and the outcome after LT. All the LTs performed at our center between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2015 were examined.

Outcomes of Liver Resections after Liver Transplantation at a High-Volume Hepatobiliary Center.

Although more than one million liver transplantations have been carried out worldwide, the literature on liver resections in transplanted livers is scarce. We herein report a total number of fourteen patients, who underwent liver resection after liver transplantation (LT) between September 2004 and 2017. Hepatocellular carcinomas and biliary tree pathologies were the predominant indications for liver resection (n = 5 each); other indications were abscesses (n = 2), post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (n = 1) and one benign tumor.

The Effects of MELD-Based Liver Allocation on Patient Survival and Waiting List Mortality in a Country with a Low Donation Rate.

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)-based allocation system was implemented in Germany in 2006 in order to reduce waiting list mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate post-transplant results and waiting list mortality since the introduction of MELD-based allocation in our center and in Germany. Adult liver transplantation at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin was assessed retrospectively between 2005 and 2012.

Increased Cell-Free DNA Plasma Concentration Following Liver Transplantation Is Linked to Portal Hepatitis and Inferior Survival.

Donor organ quality is crucial for transplant survival and long-term survival of patients after liver transplantation. Besides bacterial and viral infections, endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) can stimulate immune responses. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is one such DAMP that exhibits highly proinflammatory effects via DNA sensors.

Solid organ transplantation programs facing lack of empiric evidence in the COVID-19 pandemic: A By-proxy Society Recommendation Consensus approach.

The ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has a drastic impact on national health care systems. Given the overwhelming demand on facility capacity, the impact on all health care sectors has to be addressed. Solid organ transplantation represents a field with a high demand on staff, intensive care units, and follow-up facilities.

Hospitalization Before Liver Transplantation Predicts Posttransplant Patient Survival: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

In contrast to donor factors predicting outcomes of liver transplantation (LT), few suitable recipient parameters have been identified. To this end, we performed an in-depth analysis of hospitalization status and duration prior to LT as a potential risk factor for posttransplant outcome. The pretransplant hospitalization status of all patients undergoing LT between 2005 and 2016 at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin was analyzed retrospectively using propensity score matching.

Perioperative Pleural Drainage in Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Analysis from a High-Volume Liver Transplant Center.

BACKGROUND Pleural effusions represent a common complication after liver transplantation (LT) and chest drain (CD) placement is frequently necessary. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, adult LT recipients between 2009 and 2016 were analyzed for pleural effusion formation and its treatment within the first 10 postoperative days. The aim of the study was to compare different settings of CD placement with regard to intervention-related complications.