March 24, 2015
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Live donor LT found effective for patients with acute liver failure

Live donor liver transplantation was safe and effective for patients with acute liver failure, according to newly published data in the American Journal of Transplantation.

“Since acute liver failure can deteriorate within hours or days to coma or death, waiting time is critical for this patient group,” Markus Selzner, MD, of the Multi-Organ Transplant Program at Toronto General Hospital, said in a press release. “If a living donor is available, liver transplantation can be performed without delay, reducing the risk of death or permanent disability of the recipient.”

Markus Selzner

Selzner and colleagues analyzed data from all adult patients who underwent liver transplantation at Toronto General Hospital between April 2006 and 2010. Of these, seven patients with acute liver failure (ALF) underwent live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and were compared with a control group consisting of 26 ALF patients who received deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). The median follow-up was 35 months for DDLT and 50 months for LDLT (P = .6).

Overall, patients who underwent LDLT and DDLT had similar incident rates of postoperative complications (31% vs. 43%), as well as similar incident rates for graft rejection within 1 year of transplant (29% vs. 35%), respectively. The 30-day mortality rate post-transplant was also similar; 2 patients in the DDLT group vs. 1 patient in the LDLT group (P = .52). Graft and patient survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years after transplant were 92% for each year for DDLT patients and 86% for LDLT patients. No patient in either group needed a re-transplantation, according to the research.

“Our data suggest that LDLT is an excellent treatment option for ALF,” the researchers concluded. “The high mortality of ALF patients on the [liver transplantation] waiting list and the rapid disease progression makes LDLT an ideal option for this patient population.” – by Melinda Stevens

Disclosure:  The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.