Step wise process of the recipient and donor’s assessment
What is Living Donor Liver Transplantation?
A piece of liver removed from a living donor and transplanted into a recipient to replace their own diseased liver.
Liver transplantation:
is the replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy liver allograft. The technique used orthotopic liver transplantation, in which the patient’s own liver removed and replaced by the donor organ in the same anatomic position as the original liver. Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) also performed in certain cases of acute liver failure and some metabolic liver diseases. Liver transplantation nowadays a well-accepted treatment option for end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure, and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC).
Recipient Selection Criteria:
By and large indications for liver transplant based on the following principals;
- Complications of end-stage liver disease;
- Recurrent episodes of variceal hemorrhage (blood vomiting or black stools)
- Diuretic resistant ascites (water in the tummy)
- Recurrent attacks of hepatic encephalopathy (attacks of drowsiness or coma).
- Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (infection in the belly water)
- Hepato-pulmonary syndrome
- Porto-pulmonary syndrome
- Oncological (Cancer in the liver)
- In this group, the predominant indication of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC).
- Selective patients with neuroendocrine (carcinoid tumors) liver metastasis and highly selective cases of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of the bile ducts) can also be considered for liver transplantation.
- Hepatoblastoma (liver cancer in children)
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Quality of life issue
In certain diseases of the liver (in few cases of primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and familial amyloid polyneuropathy) where there is no imminent threat to life but the quality of life is very miserable, liver transplant is considered as treatment to improve quality of life.
- Acute liver failure
Fulfilling King’s College hospital Criteria
- Acute on chronic liver failure
Patients are assessed by following criteria:
- Child-Pugh-Turcott score (class B and C. Class A patient can be considered if they have developed hepatocellular carcinoma)
- MELD score (meld score of 15; patient with meld score < 15 can be considered if they have clear clinical indications not reflected by the meld score).
Other etiologies:
- Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B & C), alcoholic liver disease & metabolic liver disease (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis or NASH).
- Autoimmune liver disease including Primary biliary atresia, Primary sclerosing cholangitis, neonatal sclerosing cholangitis, biliary atresia, Caroli’s disease, TPN-induced cholestasis.
- Genetic liver disease including hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Glycogen storage disease (type-I, III, IV), Tyrosinemia, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, primary Hyperoxaluria.
- Vascular liver disease (e.g, Budd-Chiari syndrome).
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) confined to the liver with no obvious vascular invasion.
Recipient Exclusion Criteria (contraindications to transplant):
- A severe, irreversible, medical illness that limits short term life expectancy.
- Severe Pulmonary Hypertension (Mean PA pressure > 50mmHg).
- Cancer that has spread outside of the liver.
- Sepsis or uncontrollable infection.
- Active substance abuse (Drugs and/or Alcohol).
- History of non-compliance, or inability to adhere to a strict medical regimen.
- Severe, uncontrolled Psychiatric illness.
- Uncorrectable congenital abnormalities which are severe and life-threatening.
Relative Exclusion Criteria:
- Advanced malnutrition
- Active Infection
- Inability to understand the risk/benefits of the procedure.
- Inability to comply with medications and conform to follow up regimens.
Structure & functioning of the liver transplant team:
The liver transplant team a group of different health care professionals working in a multidisciplinary team, and responsible for all aspects of care of patients suffering from liver diseases. The aim of the liver transplant team to practice evidence-based medicine at the highest possible international standards.
The liver transplant Multidisciplinary team:
- Surgeons
- Physicians
- Anesthetists
- Intensivists
- Transplant coordinators
- Nurses
- Dietician
- Pharmacists
The Assessment Process
It is a stepwise assessment of the recipient and the donor. The purpose of a stepwise assessment to avoid unnecessary investigations. Assessment starts from the recipient once he/ she clear indications of liver transplantation.
Objectives of liver transplant assessment:
- Right recipient selection
- Right donor selection
- Better outcome
Stepwise Recipient Assessment:
Patients examined by hepatologists and liver transplant surgeons. After an initial assessment, if a patient a candidate for a liver transplant, detailed briefings given to the patient and their family regarding the risks and benefits of the transplant operation.
Patients given time to think and plan transplantation. They also provided with educational material. Once the patient made the final decision for liver transplantation, the detailed assessment process is started that includes the following:
Radiological assessment
- Ultrasound of the abdomen.
- Liver dynamic CT abdomen, and Chest CT to rule out/stage HCC, determine the extent of liver disease.
- MRI and CT brain in selected cases.
Cardiac Assessment:
- ECG
- Echocardiogram/stress echo including PA pressure.
- Coronary angiogram (selected cases ).
- Cardiologist comments.
Pulmonology assessment
- CXR
- Pulmonary function tests
- Pulmonologist evaluation
Nephrology assessment
- Renal function tests
- Routine urine analysis
- Urine culture
- Nephrologists evaluation
Psychiatry assessment
- Consultation & Evaluation
Mammography and Gynecological consultation in selected cases
Laboratory workup of Recipient:
Hematology | Serology | ||||||||||
CBC (Differential) | Hepatitis B Profile (HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb) | ||||||||||
PT/INR | Hepatitis Be Antigen | ||||||||||
APTT | Hepatitis Be Antibody | ||||||||||
ABO Blood grouping | HBV DNA (Quantitative) | ||||||||||
Fibrinogen level | Hepatitis C Virus Antibody (HCV) | ||||||||||
Sickle cell screen | HCV RNA By PCR (Qualitative) | ||||||||||
HCV RNA By PCR (Quantitative) | |||||||||||
Coomb’s Test Direct | HCV- Genotype | ||||||||||
Coomb’s Test Indirect | Hepatitis Delta Antibody | ||||||||||
Reticulocyte count | HIV 1 & 2 screening (Antigen & Antibody) | ||||||||||
Anti Thrombin III | Autoantibodies | ||||||||||
Tumor Markers | ANA Group (ANA, AMA, ASMA) | ||||||||||
Alpha Feto-protein | ANCA | ||||||||||
CEA | Anti LKM 1 | ||||||||||
CA-125 | Anti-Ds-DNA | ||||||||||
CA-19-9 | Rheumatoid Factor | ||||||||||
PSA | Lupus Anti Coagulants | ||||||||||
LDH | Anticardiolipin Antibodies (IgG) | ||||||||||
Haptoglobin | |||||||||||
Immunoglobulins | |||||||||||
Immunoglobulin (IgA) | Virology | ||||||||||
Immunoglobulin (IgG) | CMV Serology IgG | ||||||||||
Immunoglobulin (IgM) | CMV Serology IgM | ||||||||||
Biochemistry | Toxoplasma IgG | ||||||||||
Chem 7 | VZV IgG (Herpes IgG) | ||||||||||
Calcium | EBV IgG | ||||||||||
Phosphorus | Microbiology | ||||||||||
Serum Iron | Blood C/S | ||||||||||
TIBC | MRSA Swab (Nasal & Throat) | ||||||||||
Hb A1 C | Urine R/E | ||||||||||
Serum uric acid | Urine C/S | ||||||||||
Serum Copper | Creatinine Clearance | ||||||||||
Ceruloplusmin | Urine Protein (24H) | ||||||||||
Serum Ferritin | Urine Creatinine (Spot) | ||||||||||
LFTs | Urine Sodium (Spot) | ||||||||||
Gamma GT | Urine Potassium (Spot) | ||||||||||
Serum Albumin | Radiology | ||||||
Thyroid Profile (T3, T4, TSH) | CXR One View | ||||||
Lipid Profile (Fasting) | USS Doppler Liver | ||||||
Alpha one Anti-Trypsin levels | Liver Dynamic CT scan / CT Chest with contrast | ||||||
Magnesium | Endoscopy | ||||||
Homocysteine | EGD | ||||||
Pulmonology | Cardiology | ||||||
Pulmonary function test | ECG | ||||||
Arterial blood gases | ECHO-2D with pulmonary pressure readings | ||||||
Stress test (only for smokers & Positive family History of IHD
Coronary Angiography (if positive ischemia as above) |
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Stepwise donor evaluation:
Once it assured that patient is fulfilling the liver transplant criteria and fit enough to undergo major surgery, the donor workup starts. We accept donors from within the family (close blood relatives and non-close blood relatives) according to the following criteria:
Living Donor selection criteria:
- A blood-related person or a spouse who shares a compatible blood group with the patient.
- Donors must be healthy individuals with no major health problems.
- Must be in good physical and mental health.
- Must be between the ages of 18 and 50 years.
- Voluntarily, altruistic donation.
- Have a body mass index (BMI) less than 35.
- Must have a compatible blood type with the recipient.
- Must be free from the following:
- Significant organ diseases (i.e., Heart, Lung & Kidney disease, etc).
- Ongoing malignancy (cancer)
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis
- Active or chronic infections
- Active substance abuse
Laboratory work-up the living donor:
Special Considerations and/or Issues in Donor Evaluation:
Donor Advocate:
Usually, a physician outside of the transplant team, who will help the donor understand the process, procedure, risks, and benefits of live organ donation. The donor advocate will protect and promote the interests and well-being of the donor. Donors can opt to withdraw at any time during the assessment process. The reasons for withdrawal kept confidential.
Liver Biopsy:
Our program may perform a liver biopsy on potential donors based on clinical findings that suggest some degree of concern regarding the histological status of the liver, i.e., elevated AST/ALT, presence of steatosis on imaging studies, and so on.
Cost of Donor Evaluation:
Financial considerations of the donor evaluation and hepatectomy important to consider because the process complex and expensive and some donors “failed donor evaluations,” i.e., potential donors who undergo testing and rejected for donation. Living donation not possible for all the donors due to medical and technical reasons.
The purpose of the stepwise evaluation of the donor to avoid unnecessary investigations. If the donor found to be unsuitable at any step, the other investigations should be abandoned. Before starting the investigations of the donor, detailed history, and physical examination including height, weight, BMI recorded. Steps of donor evaluation as follows:
S # | Code | Work Up |
Step I |
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1 | Abo Grouping | |
2 | CBC Diff | |
3 | PT (Prothrombin Time)/INR | |
4 | LFT, s | |
5 | Urea | |
6 | Glucose Random | |
7 | Albumin | |
8 | Creatinine | |
9 | Magnesium | |
10 | Electrolytes (Na+, K+, Chlor, Bicarb) | |
11 | Urine R/E
|
|
12 | Hepatitis C Virus Ab (HCV) | |
13 | Hepatitis B Profile (HbsAg, HBC Ab, Hbs Ab) | |
14 | HIV 1 & 2 screening (Antigen & Antibody) | |
Radiology |
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15 | CXR One View (PA-View) | |
Cardiology |
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16 | ECG |
Step-II
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Liver Dynamic CT Scan | ||
ECHO-2D With pulmonary pressure readings |
Step-III |
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MRCP | ||||||
Blood Investigation |
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Thrombotic Screen |
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2 | Lupus anti-coagulant | |||||
3 | Anti-thrombin III | |||||
4 | Protein S | |||||
5 | Protein C | |||||
6 | APC | |||||
7 | Anti Cardiolipin IgG | |||||
8 | Resistance V (Factor V) | |||||
Bio Chemistry |
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9 | G6PD (Qualitative) | |||||
10 | Reticulocyte count | |||||
11 | Sickle cell | |||||
12 | HbA1C | |||||
13 | Full lipid profile | |||||
14 | Thyroid function tests | |||||
15 | Serum Ferritin | |||||
16 | Serum copper | |||||
17 | Ceruloplasmin | |||||
18 | Alpha one anti-trypsin | |||||
Immunology Screening |
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19 | Immunoglobulin (IgA) | |||||
20 | Immunoglobulin (IgG) | |||||
21 | Immunoglobulin (IgM) | |||||
22 | ANCA | |||||
23 | ANA Group (ANA, ASMA, AMA) | |||||
24 | Type Antibody Screen | |||||
25 | Comb’s Test Direct | |||||
26 | Comb’s Test Indirect | |||||
27 | CMV Serology IgG | |||||
28 | Toxoplasma IgG | |||||
29 | EBV IgG | |||||
30 | MRSA Swab (nose, throat and Skin Scraping) | |||||
31 | VZV (Herpes) IgG | |||||
Radiology | ||||||
1 | MRI abdomen with contrast | |||||
2 | USS Doppler abdomen (Hepatic & Portal Vein) | |||||
Consultations | ||||||
1 | Step –I | Transplant Surgeon | ||||
2 | Step-II | Hepatologist | ||||
3 | Step-III | Psychiatrist | ||||
4 | Step-IV | Anesthetist | ||||
5 | Step-V | Donor Advocate | ||||
6 | Step VI | Presented to Hospital ethical committee & approval from Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) | ||||
After a complete assessment of the recipient and the donor, the case presented in the Transplant Multidisciplinary Meeting (MDM).
Transplant Multidisciplinary Meeting (MDM) Guidelines:
- a) Objective: Discussion of all patients under consideration for transplantation.
Attendees:
- Consultant Hepatologist
- Consultant Liver Transplant Surgeon(s)
- Consultant Liver Transplant Anesthetist(s)
- Consultant Intensivist(s)
- Transplant Coordinator Team (including MDT Co-ordinator). The Co-ordinator will also act as a social worker
- Physicians in training
- Nurses responsible for the care of the patient
- b) Agenda in brief: For each patient:
- Short/salient summary of each patient based on evaluation proforma and listing meeting outcome.
- Discuss suitability for transplantation
- Discuss necessity/appropriateness of further investigations
- Define action plan (outcome) – listing/ time-frame – record outcome – Database
- c) Presentation at MDM: List of all patients for discussion to be circulated to attendees 24hrs prior to the meeting (responsibility of MDT Co-ordinator). All names forwarded 24 hours before the meeting.
Give short summary of the patient’s history: indications for transplantation, presentation, referral source, suspected/confirmed diagnoses, and investigations +/- treatments to date. Summarise all available relevant transplant assessment-related investigations.
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d) Discussion:
- The rationalization for transplantation and absolute/relative contraindications.
- Exploration of other treatment options/further investigations
- Recommendation of treatment(s) (e.g. abstinence programs etc)
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e) Define an action plan:
- If accepted for listing, discuss priority/type of graft/immunosuppressant regimen.
- If not listed, define reasons/future candidacy/ follow up plan.
- If the patient to be re-discussed, define issues for re-discussion.
- Record outcome – with review date if appropriate.
- f) Updates: Updates will only be discussed on the basis that they require a new decision from the Transplant MDM.
- g) Acute Liver Failure: Patients with acute liver failure approaching or meeting listing criteria, for urgent transplantation discussed ad-hoc and listed upon agreement between Intensivist/Hepatologist/consultant transplant surgeons. We follow King’s College criteria for liver transplant in acute liver failure.
- e) MDM- Responsibilities of Transplant Coordinator:
- Preparation of MDM
- Circulate list to all attendees 24hrs prior to the meeting.
- Record attendance and generate a quarterly report for “Chair”.
- Ensure outcomes are recorded – check database & written record.
- Contribute to MDM discussion – additional information including influential factors e.g. social issues, previous experience of the patient.
After approval from transplant MDM, both the donor and the recipient are presented to the hospital Evaluation Committee for final approval. The hospital evaluation committee is a legal requirement of the Human Organs and Tissues Act, 2009 (No.F.9 (1)/2009-Legis).
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g) The Hospital Evaluation Committee:
- Ensures that no organ or tissue retrieved from non-related living donors without the prior approval of the Evaluation Committee.
- Determine propriety of removal of a human organ from any living person using brain death protocol to be formulated.
- Determine fitness or otherwise for transplantation of a human organ into any other body.
The hospital Evaluation Committee either approves the case (for close blood relatives) or forwards it to Human Organ Tissue Authority (for non-close blood relatives).
Documentary evidence of the relationship established by a relevant national identity card, birth certificate, and marriage certificate.
In the case of non-close blood relatives the evaluation committee evaluates for the following:
- There no commercial transaction between the recipient and the donor. No payment of money or money’s worth as referred to in the HOTA act made to the donor or promised to be made to the donor or any other person. In this connection, the Evaluation Committee shall take into consideration:
- An explanation of the link between recipient and donor and the circumstances which led to the offer being made.
- Documentary evidence of the link e.g. proof of relationship (NADRA Family Relationship Certificate-FRC).
- The reason why the donor wishes to donate.
- There no middleman/tout involved.
- The donor is not a drug addict or active substance abuse.
- The next of kin of the proposed donor gives permission on a stamp paper in case of non-close blood relatives.
SURGICAL PLANNING
After assessment of the recipient and the donor, the surgical team designs a surgical plan.
For the living donor liver transplantation.
After this process is complete, both the recipient and the donor are informed about the process of liver transplantation in detail and informed consent is obtained separately from the donor and the recipient and the date of surgery is decided and the following plan is given all the risks and benefits of the transplant to the donor and to the recipient are explained in detail. The recipient, donor, and the family provided with the opportunity to enquire any other information regarding the whole process.
The recipient operation will take 8-12 hours. The recipient will stay 4-6 days in the ICU followed by another 2 weeks in the hospital. The recipient’s average hospital stay should be around 12-15 days. Donor’s total hospital stay should be 7-8 days. The recipient will be given prophylactic antibiotics, analgesia, low molecular weight heparin for DVT prophylaxis, and immunosuppressive drugs (including Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate Mofetil, and steroids), anti-fungal medication, and Omeprazole.
The liver transplant co-coordinator will accompany the patient and their family throughout the process to facilitate them at each and every step.