Liver Transplant

An FDA advisory committee voted against approval for obeticholic acid in primary biliary cholangitis without cirrhosis or compensated cirrhosis with portal hypertension, citing “concern for real possible harm”.

Women with hepatocellular carcinoma were less likely to receive a liver transplant and more likely to die or be removed from the waitlist vs. men, underscoring the need for changes to allocation policies, according to researchers.

Multidisciplinary care is key when managing patients with pregnancy-related gastrointestinal and liver diseases, with a “paramount goal” of keeping both the patient and the fetus safe, according to an AGA clinical practice update.

Patients who underwent liver transplantation vs. alternative therapy for unresectable colorectal liver metastasis had higher progression-free and overall survival, as well as lower rates of recurrence, researchers reported in JAMA Surgery.

A continuous risk score accurately predicted waitlist dropout and post-liver transplantation outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, even over the course of several UNOS policy changes, researchers reported.

The new United Network for Organ Sharing liver allocation policy has resulted in a significant increase in the number and cost of liver imports, with greater costs incurred by low-income states and underserved areas, according to analysis.

In a Healio video exclusive, Mitchell L. Shiffman, MD, reports that U.S. patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis treated with larsucosterol experienced a “statistically significant” reduction in 90-day mortality — more than 50%.

Interim results from a global, multicenter study demonstrated the benefit of liver transplantation among patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure grades 2 and 3 and suggest that current allocation systems are inadequate.

Researchers identified bile duct dysplasia or cancer in most explanted livers with an indication of biliary dysplasia, although as many as 41% had no signs of neoplasia, according to a study of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

PHILADELPHIA — Expansion of Medicaid via the Affordable Care Act may be tied to less likelihood of transplant waitlist removal due to illness or death, a speaker here said.