Early graft dysfunction after liver transplant: Comparison of different diagnostic criteria in a single-center prospective cohort

Med Intensiva (Engl Ed). 2020 Apr;44(3):150-159. doi: 10.1016/j.medin.2018.09.004. Epub 2018 Oct 24.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: Comparison of different diagnostic criteria for early liver allograft dysfunction (EAD) and their capability to predict mortality.

Design: Single-center, prospective, cohort study.

Settings: ICU in a Regional Hospital with a liver transplant program since 1997.

Patients: 253 consecutive patients admitted to our ICU immediately after liver transplantation between 2009 and 2015.

Variables of interest: Differences in the incidence of EAD and its relation with ICU, Hospital and 2-year mortality depending on the definition applied using as comparator the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) primary non-function criterion.

Results: The incidence of early liver allograft dysfunction according to UNOS was 13.8%, to Makowka 6.3%, to Ardite 10.7%, to Nanashima 20.6%, to Dhillon 30.8% and to MEAF 13.4%. Kappa test did not show a good correlation among these criteria. EAD was related with ICU mortality for all diagnostic criteria except Dhillon but only UNOS, Makowka and MEAF were associated with 2-year mortality. Hospital mortality was poorly predicted by all criteria except for the MEAF score.

Conclusion: We found a poor agreement between different criteria analyzed for the diagnosis of EAD. In our population, the MEAF score showed the best relationship with short- and long-term mortality.

Keywords: Complicaciones postoperatorias; Criterion; Criterios; Disfunción primaria del injerto; Fallo primario; Liver transplantation; Mortalidad; Mortality; Outcome; Postoperative complication; Primary graft dysfunction; Primary non function; Resultado; Trasplante hepático.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Liver Transplantation / methods
  • Liver Transplantation / mortality
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Primary Graft Dysfunction / diagnosis*
  • Primary Graft Dysfunction / epidemiology
  • Primary Graft Dysfunction / mortality
  • Prospective Studies
  • ROC Curve
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / standards

Substances

  • Biomarkers