scholarly journals Diffusion MRI Findings in Encephalopathy Induced by Immunosuppressive Therapy after Liver Transplantation

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Tinelli ◽  
Nicoletta Locuratolo ◽  
Alberto Pierallini ◽  
Massimo Rossi ◽  
Francesco Fattapposta
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Immunosuppressive Therapy ◽  
Cyclosporine A ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Calcineurin Inhibitors ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Diffusion Weighted Images

Neurological complications are common after liver transplantation, as they affect up to one-third of the transplanted patients and are associated with significant morbidity. The introduction of calcineurin inhibitors, cyclosporine A and tacrolimus, in immunosuppressive regimens significantly improved the outcome of solid-organ transplantation even though immunosuppression-associated neurotoxicity remains a significant complication, particularly occurring in about 25% of cases after liver transplantation. The immunosuppressant cyclosporine A and tacrolimus have been associated with the occurrence of major neurological complications, diffuse encephalopathy being the most common. The biochemical and pathogenetic basis of calcineurin inhibitors-induced neurotoxicity are still unclear although several mechanisms have been suggested. Early recognition of symptoms could help reduce neurotoxic event. The aim of the study was to evaluate cerebral changes through MRI, in particular with diffusion-weighted images (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, in two patients undergoing liver transplantation after immunosuppressive therapy. We describe two patients in which clinical pictures, presenting as a severe neurological condition, early after orthotopic liver transplantation during immunosuppression therapy, showed a different evolution in keeping with evidence of focal-multifocal lesions at DWI and ADC maps. At clinical onset, DWI showed hyperintensity of the temporo-parieto-occipital cortex with normal ADC values in the patient with following good clinical recovery and decreased values in the other one; in the latter case, MRI abnormalities were still present after ten days, until the patient’s exitus. The changes in DWI with normal ADC may be linked to brain edema with a predominant vasogenic component and therefore reversible, while the reduction in ADC is due to cytotoxic edema and linked to more severe, nonreversible, clinical picture. Brain MRI and particularly DWI and ADC maps provide not only a good and early representation of neurological complications during immunosuppressant therapy but can also provide a useful prognostic tool on clinical outcome of the patient.

scholarly journals Conversion from calcineurin inhibitors to sirolimus of recipients with chronic kidney graft disease grade iii for a period 2003-2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 848-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Ignjatovic ◽  
Rajko Hrvacevic ◽  
Dragan Jovanovic ◽  
Zoran Kovacevic ◽  
Neven Vavic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Creatinine ◽  
Immunosuppressive Therapy ◽  
Graft Function ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Calcineurin Inhibitors ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Kidney Graft ◽  
Group I ◽  
Grade Iii

Background/Aim. Tremendous breakthrough in solid organ transplantation was made with the introduction of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). At the same time, they are potentially nephrotoxic drugs with influence on onset and progression of renal graft failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of a conversion from CNIbased immunosuppressive protocol to sirolimus (SRL) in recipients with graft in chronic kidney disease (CKD) grade III and proteinuria below 500 mg/day. Methods. In the period 2003-2011 24 patients (6 famale and 18 male), mean age 41 ? 12.2 years, on triple immunosuppressive therapy: steroids, antiproliferative drug [mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathiopirine (AZA)] and CNI were switched from CNI to SRL and followe-up for 76 ? 13 months. Nine patients (the group I) had early postransplant conversion after 4 ? 3 months and 15 patients (the group II) late conversion after 46 ? 29 months. During the regular outpatient controls we followed graft function through the serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), proteinuria, lipidemia and side effects. Results. Thirty days after conversion, in all the patients GFR, proteinuria and lipidemia were insignificantly increased. In the first two post-conversion months all the patients had at least one urinary or respiratory infection, and 10 patients reactivated cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or disease, and they were successfully treated with standard therapy. After 21 ? 11 months 15 patients from both groups discontinued SRL therapy due to reconversion to CNI (10 patients) and double immunosuppressive therapy (3 patients), return to hemodialysis (1 patient) and death (1 patient). Nine patients were still on SRL therapy. By the end of the follow-up they significantly improved GFR (from 53.2 ? 12.7 to 69 ? 15 mL/min), while the increase in proteinuria (from 265 ? 239 to 530.6 ? 416.7 mg/day) and lipidemia (cholesterol from 4.71 ? 0.98 to 5.61 ? 1.6 mmol/L and triglycerides from 2.04 ? 1.18 to 2.1 ? 0.72 mmol/L) were not significant. They were stable during the whole follow-up period. Ten patients were reconverted from SRL to CNI due to the abrupt increase of proteinuria (from 298 ? 232 to 1639 ? 1641/mg day in 7 patients), rapid growth of multiple ovarian cysts (2 patients) and operative treatment of persisted hematoma (1 patient). Thirty days after reconversion they were stable with an insignificant decrease in GFR (from 56.10 ? 28.09 to 47 ? 21 mL/min) and significantly improved proteinuria (from 1639 ? 1641 to 529 ? 688 mg/day). By the end of the follow-up these patients showed nonsignificant increase in the serum creatinine (from 172 ? 88 to 202 ? 91 mmol/L), decrease in GFR (from 56.10 ? 28.09 to 47 ? 21 mL/day) and increased proteinuria (from 528.9 ? 688 to 850 ? 1083 mg/min). Conclusion. In this small descriptive study, conversion from CNI to SRL was followed by an increased incidence of infections and consecutive 25-50% dose reduction in the second antiproliferative agent (AZA, MMF), with a possible influence on the development of glomerulopathy in some patients, which was the major reason for discontinuation of SRL therapy in the 7 (29%) patients. Nine (37.5%) of the patients experienced the greatest benefit of CIN to SRL conversion without serious post-conversion complications.

scholarly journals A case of rhabdomyolysis after atorvastatin therapy of a liver transplant recipient receiving immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-164
Author(s):  
A. V. Shabunin ◽  
S. P. Loginov ◽  
P. A. Drozdov ◽  
I. V. Nesterenko ◽  
D. A. Makeev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Liver Transplant ◽  
Immunosuppressive Therapy ◽  
Organ Transplantation ◽  
Muscle Pain ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Term Survival

Rationale. To date, liver transplantation is the most effective method of treating end-stage liver failure, and therefore this treatment has become widespread throughout the world. However, due to the improvement in the quality of transplant care and an increase in the long-term survival of patients, the development of concomitant pathology, which often requires medical treatment, is inevitably associated with a higher life expectancy of liver transplant recipients. Thus, in patients who underwent liver transplantation, there is. a significant increase in the incidence of dyslipidemia. However, a long-term immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplant patients can adversely modify the effect of the prescribed drugs, which requires careful monitoring and consideration of drug interactions.Purpose. Using a clinical example to demonstrate the importance of taking drug interactions into account in the treatment of patients after organ transplantation receiving immunosuppressive drugs.Material and methods. In the presented clinical case, a patient after orthotopic liver transplantation performed in 2005 underwent a staged treatment of cicatricial stricture of choledochal anastomosis in the S.P. Botkin City Clinical Hospital. During the following hospitalization, the patient complained of minor muscle pain when walking. At doctor's visit 3 weeks before hospitalization, a local physician prescribed therapy with atorvastatin 10 mg per day due to an increase in blood plasma cholesterol levels. The patient underwent removal of the self-expanding nitinol stent. During the follow-up examination, the patient had no evidence of an impaired bile outflow, however, muscle pain and weakness progressively increased, the rate of diuresis decreased, and in the biochemical analysis of blood there was an abrupt increase in the concentration of creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase. Atorvastatin was canceled, a diagnosis of acute non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis was established, treatment with hemodialysis and plasma exchange was started on 03/05/2020. The last session of renal replacement therapy was 03/30/20.Results. With the restoration of the diuresis rate, there was a spontaneous decrease in the level of creatinine to 170 μmol/L. The patient was discharged with satisfactory renal and hepatic function. The pain syndrome completely resolved. Conclusion. Drug interactions between atorvastatin and cyclosporine have resulted in acute rhabdomyolysis with life-threatening consequences. This once again confirms the importance of taking drug interactions into account when managing patients after solid organ transplantation.

scholarly journals Still's Disease in a Pediatric Patient after Liver Transplantation

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Juan-Carlos Meza ◽  
Evelyn Muñoz-Buitrón ◽  
Fabio Bonilla-Abadía ◽  
Carlos Alberto Cañas ◽  
Gabriel J. Tobón
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Immunosuppressive Therapy ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Still’S Disease ◽  
High Grade Fever ◽  
Acute Phase Reactants ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Still's Disease ◽  
First Case

Still's disease (SD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent arthritis and in many cases with fever of unknown origin. Diagnosis of SD is challenging because of nonspecific characteristics and especially in the case of a patient with solid organ transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy where multiple causes of fever are possible. There is no diagnostic test for SD, even though some useful diagnostic criteria or laboratory findings, such as serum ferritin levels, have been proposed, and useful imaging studies for the diagnosis or followup of SD have not been developed. We report the case of a 9-year-old child who presented with high grade fever associated with joint pain after a history of liver transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy. Laboratory tests showed increased acute phase reactants, elevated ferritin, and leukocytosis. An 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) was performed identifying abnormal hypermetabolic areas localized in spleen, transplanted liver, and bone marrow secondary to inflammatory process. All infectious, autoimmune, and malignant causes were ruled out. A diagnosis of SD was performed and a steroid-based regimen was initiated with adequate response and no evidence of recurrence. To our knowledge this is the first case of SD following a solid organ transplant.

scholarly journals Interdisciplinary problem of post-transplant diabetes mellitus: literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-73
Author(s):  
A. V. Balashova ◽  
V. R. Mustafina ◽  
I. V. Glinkina
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Immunosuppressive Therapy ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Calcineurin Inhibitors ◽  
World Health ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Post Transplant ◽  
Treatment And Prevention

The number of transplantation and transplant survival rates increase steadily. Patients after solid organ transplantation re-ceive lifelong immunosuppressive therapy which may have adverse effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The most diabetogenic drugs are calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids. Posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is hyperglycemia that meets American Diabetes Association and World Health Organization diabetes criteria for nontransplant patients and that was newly diagnosed after transplantation. PTDM may worsen both short-term and long-term transplantation outcomes so that the problem of timely diagnosis, proper treatment and prevention is critical. In early post-transplant period, transient hyperglycemia is found in the vast majority of patients; therefore, PTDM screening is carried out at least one month after transplantation. The gold standard test for PTDM diagnosis is oral glucose tolerance test. In the same time diagnostic value of hemoglobin A1C is limited. Lifestyle therapy and antidiabetic drugs are considered as possible preventive measures. Stress induced hyperglycemia management in solid organ recipients is the same with other surgical patients. Which organ was transplanted, patient characteristics and possible drug interactions with immunosuppressive therapy should be taken into account while managing PTDM. Blood pressure and lipid profile should be under control for comprehensive cardiovascu-lar risk reduction. It remains unclear which PTDM treatment and prevention strategy is the best and for better understanding interdisciplinary approach is needed.

scholarly journals Tacrolimus-Induced Type IV Renal Tubular Acidosis following Liver Transplantation

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Schmoyer ◽  
Suraj Mishra ◽  
Frank Fulco
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Liver Transplant ◽  
Renal Tubular Acidosis ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Calcineurin Inhibitors ◽  
Alcoholic Cirrhosis ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Renal Tubular

Calcineurin inhibitors remain an integral component of immunosuppressive therapy regimens following solid organ transplantation. Although nephrotoxicity associated with these agents is well documented, type IV renal tubular acidosis is a rare and potentially underreported complication following liver transplantation. Hepatologists must be able to recognize this adverse effect as it can lead to fatal hyperkalemia. We describe a case of tacrolimus-induced hyperkalemic type IV renal tubular acidosis in a patient following an orthotopic liver transplant for alcoholic cirrhosis.

scholarly journals Is ABO-Incompatible Living Donor Liver Transplantation Really a Good Alternative for Pediatric Recipients?

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 600
Author(s):  
Catherine de Magnée ◽  
Louise Brunée ◽  
Roberto Tambucci ◽  
Aurore Pire ◽  
Isabelle Scheers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Living Donor ◽  
Living Donor Liver Transplantation ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Humoral Rejection ◽  
Donor Liver ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Donor Liver Transplantation ◽  
Antibody Mediated Rejection

Background: ABO-incompatible (ABOi) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been proposed to compensate for donor shortage. To date, few studies have reported detailed ABOi LDLT results in large series of pediatric patients. C4d complement deposition in graft capillaries has been reported to be associated with antibody-mediated rejection in solid organ transplantation. Methods: A retrospective case–control study was conducted, comparing clinical outcomes of each of 34 consecutive pediatric ABOi LDLT recipients with those of 2 non-ABOi pairs (n = 68), matched according to pre-transplant diagnostic criteria, age, and date of transplantation. In addition, we studied the C4d immunostaining pattern in 22 ABOi and in 36 non-ABOi recipients whose liver biopsy was performed within the first 4 post-transplant weeks for suspected acute rejection. Results: The incidence of biliary complications was higher in ABOi recipients (p < 0.05), as were the incidence of acute humoral rejection (p < 0.01) and the incidence of retransplantation (p < 0.05). All children who required retransplantation were older than 1 year at the time of ABOi LDLT. Positive C4d immunostaining was observed in 13/22 (59%) ABOi recipients versus 3/36 (8.3%) non-ABOi recipients (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: ABOi LDLT is a feasible option for pediatric end-stage liver disease but carries increased risks for the recipient, especially for children older than 1 year, even with a specific preparation protocol. C4d immunostaining may be a hallmark of acute humoral rejection in ABOi liver transplantation.

scholarly journals Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disease Presenting as an Extracranial Mass

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Reuben J. Arasaratnam ◽  
Alejandro Restrepo
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
Antibody Therapy ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Lymphoproliferative Disease ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Tissue Mass ◽  
Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disease

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease is a serious complication following stem cell and solid organ transplantation. Early recognition of the disease is important in facilitating timely therapy and improving long-term outcomes. We report a renal transplant recipient presenting with an extracranial frontoparietal soft tissue mass that was subsequently diagnosed as a B-cell lymphoma. The patient was treated successfully with immunosuppression reduction, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy, and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Our case highlights the importance of recognizing soft tissue masses in the head and neck as a potential clinical manifestation of PTLD in solid organ transplant recipients.

Metabolic Consequences of Solid Organ Transplantation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamatha Bhat ◽  
Shirine E Usmani ◽  
Amirhossein Azhie ◽  
Minna Woo
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Disease ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Calcineurin Inhibitors ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Metabolic Complications ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

Abstract Metabolic complications affect over 50% of solid organ transplant recipients. These include posttransplant diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Preexisting metabolic disease is further exacerbated with immunosuppression and posttransplant weight gain. Patients transition from a state of cachexia induced by end-organ disease to a pro-anabolic state after transplant due to weight gain, sedentary lifestyle, and suboptimal dietary habits in the setting of immunosuppression. Specific immunosuppressants have different metabolic effects, although all the foundation/maintenance immunosuppressants (calcineurin inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors) increase the risk of metabolic disease. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the emerging knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of these different metabolic complications, and the potential genetic contribution (recipient +/− donor) to these conditions. These metabolic complications impact both graft and patient survival, particularly increasing the risk of cardiovascular and cancer-associated mortality. The current evidence for prevention and therapeutic management of posttransplant metabolic conditions is provided while highlighting gaps for future avenues in translational research.

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