BACKGROUND: Most patients with high MELD scores have impaired renal function prior to transplantation. PATIENT AND METHODS: A retrospective case control study was conducted with initial low immunosuppression, which was increased when patients rejected or were clinically stable beyond day 30 ('bottom-up'). RESULTS: Thirty patients with impaired renal function were included. Fifteen were treated with de novo cyclosporine A (CsA; group A), and 15 had 'bottom-up' immunosuppression (group B). Baseline renal function was similar: serum creatinine (SCr) median 1.8 mg/dl (range: 1.5-4.0 mg/dl; group A) versus 2.4 mg/dl (range: 1.5-4.0 mg/dl; group B; p = 0.24). The requirement for renal replacement therapy was significantly lower in group B (p = 0.032). Ten received 'bottom-up' immunosuppression [4 CsA/1 sirolimus (Sir) 'on demand' after rejection, 5 Sir (stable)] beyond day 30. By months 6 and 12 (1.6 mg/dl vs. 1.2 mg/dl), SCr values were significantly better in group B (p = 0.006). Renal function in group B did not differ between patients receiving CsA or Sir. Overall complication rates, survival and biopsy-proven acute rejection were similar, although BANFF scores were higher in group B (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Successful implementation of 'bottom-up' immunosuppression in liver transplant recipients with high lab-MELD scores and renal dysfunction at the time of transplantation has the potential to substantially improve short- and long-term outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Most patients with high MELD scores have impaired renal function prior to transplantation. PATIENT AND METHODS: A retrospective case control study was conducted with initial low immunosuppression, which was increased when patients rejected or were clinically stable beyond day 30 ('bottom-up'). RESULTS: Thirty patients with impaired renal function were included. Fifteen were treated with de novo cyclosporine A (CsA; group A), and 15 had 'bottom-up' immunosuppression (group B). Baseline renal function was similar: serum creatinine (SCr) median 1.8 mg/dl (range: 1.5-4.0 mg/dl; group A) versus 2.4 mg/dl (range: 1.5-4.0 mg/dl; group B; p = 0.24). The requirement for renal replacement therapy was significantly lower in group B (p = 0.032). Ten received 'bottom-up' immunosuppression [4 CsA/1 sirolimus (Sir) 'on demand' after rejection, 5 Sir (stable)] beyond day 30. By months 6 and 12 (1.6 mg/dl vs. 1.2 mg/dl), SCr values were significantly better in group B (p = 0.006). Renal function in group B did not differ between patients receiving CsA or Sir. Overall complication rates, survival and biopsy-proven acute rejection were similar, although BANFF scores were higher in group B (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Successful implementation of 'bottom-up' immunosuppression in liver transplant recipients with high lab-MELD scores and renal dysfunction at the time of transplantation has the potential to substantially improve short- and long-term outcomes.
Authors: Felix C Popp; Barbara Fillenberg; Elke Eggenhofer; Philipp Renner; Johannes Dillmann; Volker Benseler; Andreas A Schnitzbauer; James Hutchinson; Robert Deans; Deborah Ladenheim; Cheryl A Graveen; Florian Zeman; Michael Koller; Martin J Hoogduijn; Edward K Geissler; Hans J Schlitt; Marc H Dahlke Journal: J Transl Med Date: 2011-07-28 Impact factor: 5.531
Authors: Susanne Richter; Georg Polychronidis; Daniel N Gotthardt; Philipp Houben; Thomas Giese; Anja Sander; Colette Dörr-Harim; Markus K Diener; Peter Schemmer Journal: BMC Surg Date: 2014-09-01 Impact factor: 2.102