Neurotoxicity of immunosuppressive drugs
Eelco F.M. Wijdicks – 30 December 2003 – The clinical profile of neurotoxicity caused by immunosuppression has changed. When toxic levels are reached, both cyclosporine and tacrolimus may produce a clinical spectrum that varies from tremor and acute confusional state to status epilepticus and major speech or language abnormalities. Coma has become an unusual manifestation. Magnetic resonance imaging has been better defined, and abnormalities may be more widespread than those in the posterior lobes.
Liver transplantation in patients with severe portopulmonary hypertension treated with preoperative chronic intravenous epoprostenol
Henkie P. Tan, Jay S. Markowitz, Robert A. Montgomery, William T. Merritt, Andrew S. Klein, Paul J. Thuluvath, F. Fred Poordad, Warren R. Maley, Bradford Winters, Seda B. Akinci, Sean P. Gaine – 30 December 2003 – Portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) is no longer an absolute contraindication to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The pre‐OLT management of patients with PPHTN requires early diagnosis and chronic therapy with intravenous epoprostenol to decrease pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).
Transmission of hepatitis B infection from hepatitis B core antibody—positive livers: Background and prevention
Mario Rizzetto – 30 December 2003
Images of deadly fungal infections after liver transplantation
Nicholas Onaca, Ruud A.F. Krom – 30 December 2003
Successful outcome after transplantation of a donor liver with focal nodular hyperplasia
Michael Tan, Antonio Di Carlo, Patrick Robinson, Jean I. Tchervenkov, Jeffrey S.T. Barkun, Peter Metrakos – 30 December 2003 – Because of the increasing gap in the number of patients awaiting organ transplantation and the supply of organ donors, reevaluation of donor criteria is an important issue in clinical transplantation. It has become necessary to make maximal use of the currently available donor pool.
Postreperfusion biopsies are useful in predicting complications after liver transplantation
Juli Busquets, Juan Figueras, Teresa Serrano, Jaume Torras, Emilio Ramos, Antonio Rafecas, Juan Fabregat, Carmen Lama, Xavier Xiol, Carme Baliellas, Eduardo Jaurrieta – 30 December 2003 – Biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may occur because of preservation injury (PI). In this study, we examine findings on routine reperfusion biopsy specimens in relation to the occurrence of biliary complications and graft outcome. From 1997 to 2000, a total of 193 OLTs were performed in our center.
Chemoembolization as a bridge to transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Gregory J. Gores – 30 December 2003
Posttransplantation dialysis–associated infections: Morbidity and impact on outcome in liver transplant recipients
Nina Singh, Timothy Gayowski, Marilyn M. Wagener – 30 December 2003 – The aim of this study is to assess the predictors, impact on infectious morbidity, and outcome of posttransplantation dialysis in liver transplant recipients and to compare the results with data from patients who did not require dialysis after transplantation. The study sample included 176 consecutive patients undergoing liver transplantation; the median follow‐up was 4.3 years. All patients were administered tacrolimus as primary immunosuppression.
Long‐Term suppression of hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B by 24‐month interferon therapy
Pietro Lampertico, Ersilio Del Ninno, Mauro Viganò, Raffaella Romeo, Maria Francesca Donato, Erwin Sablon, Alberto Morabito, Massimo Colombo – 30 December 2003 – To assess whether extended treatment with interferon improves the outcome of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative chronic hepatitis B, 101 consecutive patients were treated with 6 MU of interferon alfa 2b 3 times weekly for 24 months.