Current Status of Liver Transplantation

G&H Currently, what are the most common indications for liver transplantation in the United States? RV The 3 most common indications for liver transplantation in cirrhotic […]

Liver Transplantation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

G&H Are patients awaiting liver transplantation at greater risk of becoming infected with coronavirus disease 2019? KRR Patients with advanced liver disease are cited by […]

Hepatic Complications and Liver Transplant in Congenital Cardiac Disease

G&H What is the current understanding of the relationship between the liver and the heart? KB The liver is the hub for several metabolic activities. In […]

Update on Liver Transplantation in Patients With Alcoholic Hepatitis

G&H How has alcoholic hepatitis traditionally been treated? CO Alcoholic hepatitis has traditionally been treated with thiamine, folic acid, and multivitamins and by increasing the […]

Hepatitis C Virus–Viremic Liver Transplantation

G&H For a patient with active hepatitis C virus infection, how do outcomes compare when receiving a liver also infected with active hepatitis C virus […]

Hepatitis C Virus and Liver Transplantation

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of death from infectious disease and is still the leading indication for liver transplantation in the […]

Bariatric Surgery and Liver Transplantation

Abstract: Obesity is an important public health and medical concern in the United States. The rate of obesity has steadily risen for the past several […]

Controversies in Liver Transplantation

Gastroenterology & Hepatology February 2017, Volume 13, Issue 2 James F. Trotter, MD Medical Director of Liver Transplantation Baylor University Medical Center Dallas, Texas G&H Should […]

Defining Readmission Risk Factors for Liver Transplantation Recipients

Abstract: Liver transplantation (LT) is a costly but effective treatment for end-stage liver disease (ESLD). However, there are minimal data on the patterns of and risk factors for hospital readmission after LT. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of and risk factors for rehospitalization after LT. Consecutive adult patients who underwent LT at a single center (n=208) were prospectively studied over a 30-month period. Within 90 days of LT, 30.3% of LT recipients were readmitted to the hospital. Recipient and donor age, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, cold ischemia time, type of hepatic graft, length of hospitalization after LT, and occurrence of operative/postoperative complications had no association with the risk for readmission (P>.05). The length of stay in intensive care was negatively correlated with readmission (hazard ratio, 0.92; P=.028). ESLD from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as an indication for LT was the only factor associated with an increased risk for readmission (hazard ratio, 1.91; P=.010). Further studies are needed to explore the reasons for readmission among LT recipients, particularly those with HCV infection, in order to devise cost-savings policies for post-LT care.

Ethnic Disparities in Liver Transplantation

Abstract: End-stage liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among ethnic minorities. In the United States, ethnic minorities comprise approximately 30% of all adult liver transplantations performed annually. Several studies have suggested that ethnic populations differ with respect to access and outcomes in the pre- and post-transplantation setting. This paper will review the existing literature on ethnic variations in the adult liver transplantation population.