Ahmed Eid,, Ruth Rahamimov, Yaron Ilan, Ran Tur‐Kaspa, Yacob Berlatzky – 30 December 2003 – A liver transplant recipient developed the Budd‐Chiari syndrome because of an obstruction of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava anastomosis. Percutaneous balloon dilatation angioplasty was not feasible. On exploration, dense retrohepatic fibrotic reaction was observed. The patient underwent successful retrohepatic cavoatrial shunt placement by means of a 16‐mm, ring‐enforced polytetrafluoroethylene graft.

30 December 2003

Nancy L. Ascher, – 30 December 2003 – Background. To prevent the central role played by complement activation in the hyperacute rejection of pig organs transplanted into primates, pigs transgenic for human decay‐accelerating factor (HDAF) have recently been produced. The data presented here extend previous immunohistochemical findings by documenting the immunological characterization and the levels of expression of HDAF in these transgenic pigs.

Roberto Leon, Maria de Medina, Eugene R. Schiff – 30 December 2003 – Familiarity with the diagnostic parameters of viral hepatitis is imperative in the liver transplantation arena. Chronic viral hepatitis B and C are among the most common categories of end‐stage liver disease. The preoperative diagnosis, determination of recurrent infection, and the assessment of antiviral therapeutic efficacy are dependent on appropriate virological testing. Furthermore, liver transplant personnel are at a high risk for parenterally transmitted viral hepatitis infection.

Russell H. Wiesner, Robert M. Goldstein, Jeremiah P. Donovan, Charles M. Miller, John R. Lake, Michael R. Lucey – 30 December 2003 – A multicenter, retrospective analysis of 623 liver transplant recipients was performed to define safe and effective cyclosporine doses and blood levels at various times after transplantation. Patient and graft survival were assessed as efficacy parameters, and serum creatinine and cholesterol levels as safety parameters. The mean daily cyclosporine dose was 12.1 mg/kg/d at 1 month posttransplantation and 5.5 mg/kg/d after 1 year.

Thomas E. Starzl – 30 December 2003

D Samuel, E Dussaix – 30 December 2003

M A Ramsay, B R Simpson, A T Nguyen, K J Ramsay, C East, G B Klintmalm – 30 December 2003 – Advanced liver disease with portal hypertension may be associated with pulmonary hypertension. A review of 1,205 consecutive liver transplant patients was made to assess the incidence and severity of pulmonary hypertension in patients with end‐stage liver disease. Postoperative data were reviewed to determine if outcome was influenced and, in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, whether pulmonary hypertension was reversed after transplantation.

D J Plevak, L C Torsher – 30 December 2003

N L Ascher – 30 December 2003