HCC Liver Transplantation Wait List Dropout Rates Before and After the Mandated 6-Month Wait Time.

Background: Studies have shown significant improvement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence rates after liver transplantation since the united network of organ sharing (UNOS) implementation of a 6-month wait period prior to accrued exception model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) points enacted on October 8, 2015. However, few have examined the impact on HCC dropout rates for patients awaiting liver transplant. Our objective is to evaluate the outcomes of HCC dropout rates before and after the mandatory 6-month wait policy enacted.

Pre-Liver Transplant Coronary Artery Disease Workup for Low-Risk Patients.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality following orthotopic liver transplant, yet there is no standardized protocol for pre-liver-transplant coronary artery disease assessment. The main objective of this study was to determine the agreement between 2 methods of cardiac risk assessment: dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) and coronary calcium score (CCS) and to determine which test was best able to predict coronary calcification in low-risk patients.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed using the medical records of 436 patients who received cardiac clearance for a liver transplant.

Cost Utilization and the Use of Pulmonary Function Tests in Preoperative Liver Transplant Patients.

Background: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are currently recommended for liver transplant candidates. We hypothesized that PFTs may not provide added clinical value to the evaluation of liver transplant patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult cadaveric liver transplants from 2012 to 2018.