Background and aims: Liver transplantation (LT) has been proposed to be an effective salvage therapy even for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). This large collaborative study was designed to address the current clinical practice and outcomes of ACLF patients wait listed (WL) for LT in Europe. Methods: Retrospective study including 308 consecutive ACLF patients, listed in 20 centres across 8 European countries, from January 2018 to June 2019. Results: 2677 patients received a LT, 1216 (45.4%) for decompensated cirrhosis (DC). Of these, 234 (19.2%) had ACLF at LT: ACLF-1, 58 (4.8%); ACLF-2, 78 (6.4%); and ACLF-3, 98 (8.1%). Wide variations were observed amongst countries: France and Germany had high rates of ACLF-2/3 (27-41%); Italy, Switzerland, Poland and Netherlands had medium rates (9-15%); and United Kingdom and Spain had low rates (3-5%) (p <.0001). One-year probability of survival after LT for patients with ACLF was 81% (95% CI 74-87). Pre-LT arterial lactate levels >4 mmol/L (HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.37-7.19), recent infection from multi-drug resistant organisms (HR 3.67, 95% CI 1.63-8.28), and renal replacement therapy (HR 2.74, 95% CI 1.37-5.51) were independent predictors of post-LT mortality. During the same period, 74 patients with ACLF died on the WL. In an intention-to-treat analysis, one-year survival of ACLF patients on the LT WL was 73% for ACLF-1 or -2 and 50% for ACLF-3. Conclusion: The results reveal wide variations in listing patients with ACLF in Europe despite favorable post-LT survival. Risk factors for mortality were identified, allowing a more precise prognostic assessment of ACLF patients for potential LT. Lay summary: Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe clinical condition for which liver transplantation is an effective therapeutic option. This study has demonstrated that in Europe, referral and access to liver transplantation (LT) for patients with ACLF needs to be harmonized to avoid inequities. Post-LT survival for patients with ACLF was >80% after 1 year and some factors have been identified for selecting patients with favorable outcomes.

Belli, L., Duvoux, C., Artzner, T., Bernal, W., Conti, S., Cortesi, P., et al. (2021). Liver transplantation for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in Europe: results of the ELITA/EF-CLIF collaborative study (ECLIS). JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY, 75(3), 610-622 [10.1016/j.jhep.2021.03.030].

Liver transplantation for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in Europe: results of the ELITA/EF-CLIF collaborative study (ECLIS)

Belli, Luca S
;
Conti, Sara;Cortesi, Paolo A;De Carlis, Luciano G;Fumagalli, Roberto;FAGIUOLI, STEFANO
Membro del Collaboration Group
2021

Abstract

Background and aims: Liver transplantation (LT) has been proposed to be an effective salvage therapy even for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). This large collaborative study was designed to address the current clinical practice and outcomes of ACLF patients wait listed (WL) for LT in Europe. Methods: Retrospective study including 308 consecutive ACLF patients, listed in 20 centres across 8 European countries, from January 2018 to June 2019. Results: 2677 patients received a LT, 1216 (45.4%) for decompensated cirrhosis (DC). Of these, 234 (19.2%) had ACLF at LT: ACLF-1, 58 (4.8%); ACLF-2, 78 (6.4%); and ACLF-3, 98 (8.1%). Wide variations were observed amongst countries: France and Germany had high rates of ACLF-2/3 (27-41%); Italy, Switzerland, Poland and Netherlands had medium rates (9-15%); and United Kingdom and Spain had low rates (3-5%) (p <.0001). One-year probability of survival after LT for patients with ACLF was 81% (95% CI 74-87). Pre-LT arterial lactate levels >4 mmol/L (HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.37-7.19), recent infection from multi-drug resistant organisms (HR 3.67, 95% CI 1.63-8.28), and renal replacement therapy (HR 2.74, 95% CI 1.37-5.51) were independent predictors of post-LT mortality. During the same period, 74 patients with ACLF died on the WL. In an intention-to-treat analysis, one-year survival of ACLF patients on the LT WL was 73% for ACLF-1 or -2 and 50% for ACLF-3. Conclusion: The results reveal wide variations in listing patients with ACLF in Europe despite favorable post-LT survival. Risk factors for mortality were identified, allowing a more precise prognostic assessment of ACLF patients for potential LT. Lay summary: Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe clinical condition for which liver transplantation is an effective therapeutic option. This study has demonstrated that in Europe, referral and access to liver transplantation (LT) for patients with ACLF needs to be harmonized to avoid inequities. Post-LT survival for patients with ACLF was >80% after 1 year and some factors have been identified for selecting patients with favorable outcomes.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure; Liver transplantation; Multi-drug resistant organisms; Predictive factors; Waiting list;
English
2-mag-2021
2021
75
3
610
622
none
Belli, L., Duvoux, C., Artzner, T., Bernal, W., Conti, S., Cortesi, P., et al. (2021). Liver transplantation for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in Europe: results of the ELITA/EF-CLIF collaborative study (ECLIS). JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY, 75(3), 610-622 [10.1016/j.jhep.2021.03.030].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/317497
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