Risk factors for recurrence of autoimmune hepatitis after liver transplantation

Aldo J. Montano‐Loza, Andrew L. Mason, Mang Ma, Ravin J. Bastiampillai, Vincent G. Bain, Puneeta Tandon – 29 September 2009 – Autoimmune hepatitis has been reported to recur after liver transplantation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with recurrence of autoimmune hepatitis. Forty‐six patients that underwent liver transplantation because of end‐stage liver disease secondary to autoimmune hepatitis were studied. Recurrence of autoimmune hepatitis was diagnosed in 11 of the 46 (24%) patients, and the overall 5‐year probability of recurrence was 18%.

Conivaptan increases serum sodium in hyponatremic patients with end‐stage liver disease

Jacqueline G. O'Leary, Gary L. Davis – 29 September 2009 – Hyponatremia is associated with increased mortality in patients with end‐stage liver disease and a greater risk of perioperative mortality with liver transplantation. We performed a retrospective review of our experience with conivaptan as a means of acutely increasing serum sodium in end‐stage liver disease patients. The primary group consisted of 15 patients with end‐stage liver disease who remained hyponatremic despite discontinuation of diuretics and a 1‐L fluid restriction.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in liver transplant recipients

Elizabeth B. Haagsma, Hubert G. M. Niesters, Arie P. van den Berg, Annelies Riezebos‐Brilman, Robert J. Porte, Harry Vennema, Johan H. J. Reimerink, Marion P. G. Koopmans – 29 September 2009 – Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is known to run a self‐limited course. Recently, chronic hepatitis E has been described in several immunosuppressed patients after solid organ transplantation. The prevalence of HEV infection after transplantation, however, is unknown.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is associated with motor vehicle crashes: The reality beyond the driving test

Jasmohan S. Bajaj, Kia Saeian, Christine M. Schubert, Muhammad Hafeezullah, Jose Franco, Rajiv R. Varma, Douglas P. Gibson, Raymond G. Hoffmann, R. Todd Stravitz, Douglas M. Heuman, Richard K. Sterling, Mitchell Shiffman, Allyne Topaz, Sherry Boyett, Debulon Bell, Arun J. Sanyal – 28 September 2009 – Patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) have impaired driving skills, but association of MHE with motor vehicle crashes is unclear. Standard psychometric tests (SPT) or inhibitory control test (ICT) can be used to diagnose MHE.

Inhibition of transforming growth factor β receptor I kinase blocks hepatocellular carcinoma growth through neo‐angiogenesis regulation

Antonio Mazzocca, Emilia Fransvea, Gabriela Lavezzari, Salvatore Antonaci, Gianluigi Giannelli – 28 September 2009 – Curative therapies for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are mainly invasive, and with the exception of sorafenib, no medical treatments are available for advanced or metastatic stages of HCC. We investigated the antitumoral effect of blocking the transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) signaling pathway in HCC with LY2109761, a kinase inhibitor of TGF‐β receptor I kinase.

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