Martin Wolff, Nico Schaefer, Christian Rabe, Ulrich Spengler, Andreas Hirner – 20 July 2005

Gunda Millonig, Ivo W. Graziadei, Dagmar Eichler, Karl‐Peter Pfeiffer, Gerd Finkenstedt, Petra Muehllechner, Alfred Koenigsrainer, Raimund Margreiter, Wolfgang Vogel – 20 July 2005 – Bone loss is a common complication in patients before and after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic treatment with bisphosphonates after LT in preventing progressive bone loss in LT patients. We included 136 patients with end‐stage liver diseases awaiting LT.

J. Peter A. Lodge, Sven Jonas, Robert M. Jones, Michael Olausson, José Mir‐Pallardo, Soeren Soefelt, Juan Carlos Garcia‐Valdecasas, Vivian McAlister, Darius F. Mirza, for the rFVIIa OLT Study Group – 20 July 2005 – Patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) have excessive blood loss during surgery that requires blood transfusions, leading to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. We studied the efficacy and safety of activated recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) in reducing transfusion requirements in OLT.

Gary L. Davis, David R. Nelson, Norah Terrault, Timothy L. Pruett, Thomas D. Schiano, Courtney V. Fletcher, Christine V. Sapan, Laura N. Riser, Yufeng Li, Richard J. Whitley, John W. Gnann, Collaborative Antiviral Study Group – 20 July 2005 – Chronic hepatitis C is the most common indication for liver transplantation, but viral recurrence is universal and progressive graft injury occurs in most recipients.

Silvio Nadalin, Massimo Malagó, Camino Valentin‐Gamazo, Giuliano Testa, Hideo A. Baba, Chao Liu, Nils R. Frühauf, Randolph Schaffer, Guido Gerken, Andrea Frilling, Christoph E. Broelsch – 20 July 2005 – The role of liver biopsy (LB) in donor selection for adult living donor liver transplantation remains controversial, since the procedure is associated with additional potential risks for the donor. From April 1998 to August 2004, 730 potential living donors for 337 adult recipients underwent our multistep evaluation program. In 144 candidates, LB was performed.

Christopher Tracey, Carmel Hawley, Anthony Donald Griffin, Geoff Strutton, Stephen Lynch – 20 July 2005 – The use of sirolimus as an alternative to calcineurin antagonists has enabled the continuation of immunosuppression in patients with renal impairment with preservation of kidney function. Sirolimus is generally well tolerated, with the main causes of cessation of therapy related to its effect on blood lipid profile as well as leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.

Nina Singh, Victor L. Yu – 20 July 2005

20 July 2005

Kristin L. Mekeel, W. Anthony Lee, Alan I. Reed, Alan W. Hemming – 20 July 2005 – It is estimated that 1.7% of orthotopic liver transplant recipients will develop abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) after transplantation. It has been observed that these aneurysms expand faster in transplant recipients; therefore, aggressive surveillance for AAAs in transplant recipients is required. Endovascular aneurysm repair is rapidly becoming the standard of care, especially in patients with previous abdominal surgery and other significant comorbidities.

Raymond M. Planinsic, Jan van der Meer, Giuliano Testa, Luis Grande, Angel Candela, Robert J. Porte, R. Mark Ghobrial, Helena Isoniemi, Peter Billeskov Schelde, Elisabeth Erhardtsen, Goran Klintmalm, Sukru Emre – 20 July 2005 – Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) can be associated with excessive blood loss. As a result, there may be increased risk of adverse outcomes. Activated recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) has demonstrated the ability to improve hemostasis in a variety of disorders; however, there has been a limited amount of research into its use in OLT.