Three-dimensional printing of porous load-bearing bioceramic scaffolds

This article reports on the use of the binder jetting three-dimensional printing process combined with sintering to process bioceramic materials to form micro- and macroporous three-dimensional structures. Three different glass-ceramic formulations, apatite–wollastonite and two silicate-based glasses, have been processed using this route to create porous structures which have Young’s modulus equivalent to cortical bone and average bending strengths in the range 24–36 MPa. It is demonstrated that a range of macroporous geometries can be created with accuracies of ±0.25 mm over length scales up to 40 mm. Hot-stage microscopy is a valuable tool in the definition of processing parameters for the sintering step of the process. Overall, it is concluded that binder jetting followed by sintering offers a versatile process for the manufacture of load-bearing bioceramic components for bone replacement applications

Bias-corrected estimates of reduction of post-surgery length of stay and corresponding cost savings through the widespread national implementation of fast-tracking after liver transplantation: a quasi-experimental study

Background: Fast-tracking is an approach adopted by Mayo Clinic in Florida’s (MCF) liver transplant (LT) program, which consists of early tracheal extubation and transfer of patients to surgical ward, eliminating a stay in the intensive care unit in select patients. Since adopting this approach in 2002, MCF has successfully fast-tracked 54.3% of patients undergoing LT. Objectives: This study evaluated the reduction in post-operative length of stay (LOS) that resulted from the fast-tracking protocol and assessed the potential cost saving in the case of nationwide implementation. Methods: A propensity score for fast-tracking was generated based on MCF liver transplant databases during 2011–2013. Various propensity score matching algorithms were used to form control groups from the United Network of Organ Sharing Standard Analysis and Research (STAR) file that had comparable demographic characteristics and health status to the treatment group identified in MCF. Multiple regression and matching estimators were employed for evaluation of the post-surgery LOS. The algorithm generated from the analysis was also applied to the STAR data to determine the proportion of patients in the US who could potentially be candidates for fast-tracking, and the potential savings. Results: The effect of the fast-tracking on the post-transplant LOS was estimated at approximately from 2.5 (p-value = 0.001) to 3.2 (p-value \u3c 0.001) days based on various matching algorithms. The cost saving from a nationwide implementation of fast-tracking of liver transplant patients was estimated to be at least $78 million during the 2-year period. Conclusion: The fast-track program was found to be effective in reducing post-transplant LOS, although the reduction appeared to be less than previously reported. Nationwide implementation of fast-tracking could result in substantial cost savings without compromising the patient outcome

Hepatoportal Sclerosis—A Clinicopathologic Review of 28 Cases

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to review a large series of cases with hepatoportal sclerosis (HPS) as a pathologically recognizable entity in liver tissue specimens and describe the associated clinical and radiographic manifestations, along with the outcomes of this entity. Methods: Data were collected through a retrospective chart review. Results: Twenty-eight patients were identified that had pathologically defined HPS. All patients had a significant past medical history and signs and symptoms of portal hypertension. The most consistent laboratory finding was an elevated alkaline phosphatase. Radiographically, 9 patients were mistakenly identified as having advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis. The initial histologic diagnosis was made on biopsy in 20 patients and after transplant in 8 patients. The severity of symptoms was variable and required transplantation in 11 patients, 3 were treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and the remaining patients were treated symptomatically. Conclusion: HPS is associated with past medical history that may be causal in nature. Signs and symptoms may be severe enough to require liver transplantation. A significant proportion of patients are radiographically misdiagnosed as cirrhosis. In this small series, overall outcomes for transplanted patients are acceptable

Predictors and impacts of hospital readmissions following liver transplantation

While liver transplantation is the definitive therapy for end stage liver disease, it remains a major procedure, with many potential complications. Hospital readmissions after the initial hospitalization for liver transplantation can be associated with adverse outcomes, increased cost, and resource utilization. Our aim was to define the incidence and reasons for hospital readmission after liver transplant and the impact of readmissions on patient outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed 30- and 90-day readmission rates and indications in patients who underwent liver transplant at a large-volume transplant center over a 3-year period. Four hundred seventy-nine adult patients underwent their first liver transplant during the study period. The 30-day readmission rate was 29.6%. Recipient and donor age, etiology of liver disease, biological Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and cold ischemia time were similar between patients who were readmitted within 30 days and those who were not readmitted. Readmissions occurred in 25% of patients who were hospitalized prior to liver transplant compared to 30% who were admitted for liver transplant. The most common indications for readmission were infection, severe abdominal pain, and biliary complications. Early discharge from hospital (fewer than 7 days after liver transplant), was not associated with readmission; however, a prolonged hospital stay after liver transplant was associated with an increased risk of readmission (p = 0.04). In conclusion, patients who undergo liver transplant have a high rate of readmission. In our cohort, readmissions were unrelated to pre-existing recipient or donor factors, but were associated with a longer hospital stay after liver transplant

Patterns and Outcomes Associated with Patient Migration for Liver Transplantation in the United States.

Traveling to seek specialized care such as liver transplantation (LT) is a reality in the United States. Patient migration has been attributed to organ availability. The aims of this study were to delineate patterns of patient migration and outcomes after LT.All deceased donor LT between 2008-2013 were extracted from UNOS data. Migrated patients were defined as those patients who underwent LT at a center in a different UNOS region from the region in which they resided and traveled a distance > 100 miles.Migrated patients comprised 8.2% of 28,700 LT performed. Efflux and influx of patients were observed in all 11 UNOS regions. Regions 1, 5, 6, and 9 had a net efflux, while regions 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, and 11 had a net influx of patients. After multivariate adjustment for donor and recipient factors, graft (p = 0.68) and patient survival (p = 0.52) were similar between migrated and non-migrated patients.A significant number of patients migrated in patterns that could not be explained alone by regional variations in MELD score and wait time. Migration may be a complex interplay of factors including referral patterns, specialized services at centers of excellence and patient preference

Development of a Competency-Based Transplant Hepatology Fellowship

Presented at 63rd annual meeting AASLD, The Liver Meeting, Boston MA, November 9-13, 2012. Purpose: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) next accreditation system (NAS) provides incentive for medical educators to understand and implement competency-based medical education (CBME) training and assessment in their programs. Noting decreasing enrollees for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Transplant Hepatology (TH) exam, workforce concerns in TH, and questionnaire data from Gastroenterology (GI) fellows and Program Directors (PDs), we developed an ABIM-approved one-year competency-based TH pilot program

Multicenter Experience using Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir ± RBV to Treat HCV GT 1 Relapsers after Simeprevir and Sofosbuvir Treatment

Introduction and aim. Approximately 10%-15% of patients with hepatitis C genotype 1 (HCV GT1) experience virological relapse after all-oral antiviral regimen using simeprevir (SMV) and sofosbuvir (SOF). The efficacy and safety of treating such relapsers using ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) with/without ribavirin (RBV) has been limited.Objective. Report the virological response and safety of LDV/SOF with/without RBV for 12-24 weeks in treating HCV GT1 relapsers after SMV + SOF.Material and methods. Patients treated with standardized clinical protocol utilizing LDV/SOF with/without RBV at three transplant centers were retrospectively reviewed.Results. Forty-five patients (29% post-LT, 82% male, 13% non-white, 73% subtype 1a, 86% IL28B CT/ TT, 78% F3-4) started LDV/SOF with/without RBV at a median of 22 weeks (range 7-55 weeks) after the last dose of SMV+SOF treatment. Thirty-seven patients received LDV/SOF for 24 weeks (24/37 patients with RBV) and eight patients received LDV/SOF for 12 weeks (5/8 patients with RBV). RBV dose was adjusted for renal function. Sixteen patients who were RBV-ineligible received LDV/SOF without RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. SVR 12 was achieved in 96% (43/45) of patients. Baseline viral load, RBV use, or GT1 subtype did not impact SVR 12. Minimal adverse events were reported in those without RBV; 45% of patients who received RBV developed significant anemia requiring RBV dose reduction and/or discontinuation. In LT recipients, minimal immunosuppression dose adjustments were required and no biopsy-proven acute rejection occurred.Conclusions. Treatment with LDV/SOF with/without RBV for 12-24 weeks was very well tolerated and resulted in high SVR 12 rates (96%) in HCV GT1 relapsers to SMV + SOF treatment

An Argument for Vitamin D, A, and Zinc Monitoring in Cirrhosis

Malnutrition is prevalent in cirrhosis. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc, are common and have been shown to correlate with survival. Our aim was to review the mechanisms of vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc deficiencies in cirrhosis and the clinical assessment of affected patients, their outcomes based on the current literature, and management. This is a narrative review including the relevant literature for cirrhosis and vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc deficiencies. Vitamin D deficiency has important effects in cirrhosis, regardless of the cause of chronic liver disease.These effects include associations with fibrosis and outcomes such as infections, hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality. Vitamin A deficiency is associated with liver disease progression to cirrhosis and clinical decompensation, including occurrence of ascites or hepatic encephalopathy. Zinc deficiency can lead to hepatic encephalopathy and impaired immune function. Such deficiencies correlate with patient survival and disease severity. Caution should be applied when replacing vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc to avoid toxicity. Identification and appropriate treatment of vitamin and mineral deficiencies in cirrhosis may reduce specific nutritional and cirrhosis-related adverse events. Routine monitoring of vitamin A, vitamin D and zinc levels in cirrhosis should be considered