Liver Retransplantation for Recurrence of HCV-Related Cirrhosis Using Hepatitis C-Positive Allografts: A 19-Year OPTN Analysis.

Authors

• Justin C Torosian
• Benjamin E Leiby
• Jonathan M Fenkel
• Adam M Frank
• Carlo G Ramirez
• Cataldo Doria

Publication/Presentation Date

5-3-2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND Liver re-transplantation (re-OLT) in hepatitis C-infected (HCV+) recipients remains a controversial life-saving procedure, as the process of allograft HCV reinfection is universal. Current literature and practice show that in primary liver transplantations (OLT) in HCV+ recipients, HCV+ grafts have equivalent graft survival as non-infected (HCV-) grafts. MATERIAL AND METHODS Standard Transplant Analysis and Research (STAR) files from the OPTN (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network) were used to identify HCV+ patients who underwent a second transplant between 3/16/1994 and 6/30/2013. Of 33 816 HCV+ patients who underwent primary OLT during this time 2345 underwent re-OLT; of whom 2079 could be confirmed as second transplants. Out of 2079 HCV+ patients who underwent retransplantation, 75 received HCV+ grafts and 2004 received HCV- grafts. Excluding primary or secondary graft losses within 1 week of transplant, 60 HCV+ donor grafts and 1557 HCV- donor grafts at re-transplantation remained for more focused analysis. RESULTS Graft survival for these patients appeared essentially identical regardless of whether they received an HCV+ or HCV- graft. In addition, using the 33 816 HCV+ patients who underwent primary transplantation during this time, our data agreed with the results of previous studies showing that HCV+ patients who receive HCV+ grafts at first transplant have equivalent graft and patient survival rates. CONCLUSIONS Due to the equivalency of HCV graft survival in re-OLT, selecting HCV+ donor organs for hepatitis C-infected recipients appears to be appropriate.

Volume

21

First Page

262

Last Page

269

ISSN

2329-0358

Published In/Presented At

Torosian, J. C., Leiby, B. E., Fenkel, J. M., Frank, A. M., Ramirez, C. G., & Doria, C. (2016). Liver Retransplantation for Recurrence of HCV-Related Cirrhosis Using Hepatitis C-Positive Allografts: A 19-Year OPTN Analysis. Annals of transplantation, 21, 262–269. https://doi.org/10.12659/aot.897040

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

27137953

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article