Predictors of micro-costing components in liver transplantation

OBJECTIVES: Although liver transplantation procedures are common and highly expensive, their cost structure is still poorly understood. This study aimed to develop models of micro-costs among patients undergoing liver transplantation procedures while comparing the role of individual clinical predictors using tree regression models. METHODS: We prospectively collected micro-cost data from patients undergoing liver transplantation in a tertiary academic center. Data collection was conducted using an Intranet registry integrated into the institution’s database for the storing of financial and clinical data for transplantation cases. RESULTS: A total of 278 patients were included and accounted for 300 procedures. When evaluating specific costs for the operating room, intensive care unit and ward, we found that in all of the sectors but the ward, human resources were responsible for the highest costs. High cost supplies were important drivers for the operating room, whereas drugs were among the top four drivers for all sectors. When evaluating the predictors of total cost, a MELD score greater than 30 was the most important predictor of high cost, followed by a Donor Risk Index greater than 1.8. CONCLUSION: By focusing on the highest cost drivers and predictors, hospitals can initiate programs to reduce cost while maintaining high quality care standards

Uterine transplantation: a systematic review

Up to 15% of the reproductive population is infertile, and 3 to 5% of these cases are caused by uterine dysfunction. This abnormality generally leads women to consider surrogacy or adoption. Uterine transplantation, although still experimental, may be an option in these cases. This systematic review will outline the recommendations, surgical aspects, immunosuppressive drugs and reproductive aspects related to experimental uterine transplantation in women

Immunohistochemistry expression of tissue origin and carcinogenesis markers in adenocarcinomas of intestinal and pancreaticobiliary types of Vaters ampolla

INTRODUÇÃO: Os adenocarcinomas da ampola de Vater (AAV) são classificados conforme a diferenciação histológica em tipos pancreatobliliar e intestinal, com comportamento biológico e prognóstico diferentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar um painel imuno-histoquímico para a diferenciação do tipo histológico dos AAVs e analisar os fatores relacionados com a sobrevivência desses tumores em uma série de pacientes submetidos à ressecção do tumor com intenção curativa. MÉTODO: Variáveis clínicas e histopatológicas foram analisadas para os tipos intestinal e pancreatobiliar em 97 doentes submetidos à ressecção pancreática por AAV. A expressão de mucinas (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC6), citoqueratinas (CK7, CK17, CK20), CD10, CDX2, p53, p16, Ki67, CEA, CA19-9, hMLH1, hMLH2 e hMSH6 foi avaliada usando técnica de imunoistoquímica. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e três casos foram histologicamente classificados como tipo intestinal, 47 como tipo pancreatobiliar e 7 em outros tipos, de acordo com a classificação de Albores-Saavedra. O tipo intestinal apresentou expressão significativamente maior de MUC2 (74,4% vs 23,4%; p<0,001), CK20 (76,7% vs 29,8%; p <0,001), CDX2 (86% vs 21,3%; p<0,001) e CD10 (81,4% vs 51,1%; p=0,002); enquanto MUC1 (53,5% vs 82,9%; p=0,001) e CK7 (79,1% vs 95,7%; p=0,041) foram mais expressos nos adenocarcinomas pancreatobiliares. Os marcadores imunoistoquímicos com maior acurácia para determinação do tipo histológico foram CDX2, MUC2 e CK20 (82,2%, 75,5% e 73,3% respectivamente). A positividade para p53, p16, Ki67, CEA e CA19-9 foram 36,1%, 30,9%, 37,1%, 79,4% e 88,6%, respectivamente, sem qualquer diferença significativa entre os tipos intestinal e pancreatobiliar. A perda de expressão de pelo menos uma das proteínas hMLH1, hMLH2 e hMSH6 ocorreu em 13,4%, sem diferença entre os tipos histológicos. Em análise univarida, a sobrevivência foi significativamente menor para o tipo histológico pancreaticobiliar (p = 0,021), estadiamentos TNM mais avançados (p <0,001), neoplasias com acometimento linfonodal (p <0,001) e invasão linfática (p=0,004). Em análise multivariada, o acometimento linfonodal (p <0,001) e a invasão linfática (0,013) foram fatores independentes de risco. CONCLUSÃO: A expressão imunoistoquímica de MUC1, MUC2 e CDX2 são úteis para a classificação dos AAVs em tipo intestinal e pancreatobiliar. O tipo intestinal esteve associado a um melhor prognóstico, mas apenas o acometimento linfonodal e a invasão linfática foram fatores independentes de riscoThe intestinal and pancreatobliliary types of histological Vaters ampulla adenocarcinoma present different biologic behavior and prognosis. The aim of the present study was to determine the best immunohistochemical panel for tumor classification and analyze the survival of these histological types in a series of patients. Clinical and histopathologal variables were analyzed for each pancreatobiliary and intestinal type differentiation in 97 resected ampullary adenocarcinomas. The expression of mucins (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC6), cytokeratins (CK7, CK17, CK20), CD10, CDX2, p53, p16, Ki67, CEA, CA19-9, hMLH1, hMLH2 and hMSH6 was evaluated by using immunohistochemistry. Forty three Vaters ampulla carcinomas were histologically classified into intestinal type, 47 into pancreatobiliary type and 7 into other types, according to Albores-Saavedra classification. The intestinal type had a significantly higher expression of MUC2 (74.4%vs23.4%. p<0.001), CK20 (76.7%vs29.8%p<0.001), CDX2 (86%vs21. 3%. p<0.001) and CD10 (81.4%vs51.1%. p=0.002); while MUC1 (53.5%vs82.9%. p=0.001) and CK7 (79.1%vs95.7%. p=0.041) were higher in pancreatobiliary adenocarcinomas. The most accurate markers for the immunohistochemical classification were CDX2, MUC2 and CK20 (82.2%. 75.5% and 73.3% respectively). The positivity of p53, p16, Ki67, CEA and CA19-9 were 36.1%, 30.6%, 37.1%, 79% and 88%, respectively without any significant difference between intestinal and pancreatobiliary types. Loss of hMLH1, hMLH2 and hMSH6 proteins expression occurred in 13.4% of Vaters adenocarcinoma, without difference between intestinal and pancreaticobiliary types. Survival was significantly affected by pancreaticobiliary type (p=0.021), tumor grade (p<0.001), nodal status (p<0.001) and lymphatic invasion (p=0.004). Only regional lymph node involvement (p<0.001) and lymphatic invasion (p=0.013) was independent risk factors for survival in a multivariate analysis. In conclusion, the immunohistochemical expression of apomucins MUC1, MUC2 and CDX2 are useful for the classification of ampullary adenocarcinoma in intestinal and pancreaticobiliary types. Intestinal type was associated with a better prognosis, but only lymph node status and lymphatic invasion were independent risk factor

Predictors of micro-costing components in liver transplantation

OBJECTIVES: Although liver transplantation procedures are common and highly expensive, their cost structure is still poorly understood. This study aimed to develop models of micro-costs among patients undergoing liver transplantation procedures while comparing the role of individual clinical predictors using tree regression models. METHODS: We prospectively collected micro-cost data from patients undergoing liver transplantation in a tertiary academic center. Data collection was conducted using an Intranet registry integrated into the institution’s database for the storing of financial and clinical data for transplantation cases. RESULTS: A total of 278 patients were included and accounted for 300 procedures. When evaluating specific costs for the operating room, intensive care unit and ward, we found that in all of the sectors but the ward, human resources were responsible for the highest costs. High cost supplies were important drivers for the operating room, whereas drugs were among the top four drivers for all sectors. When evaluating the predictors of total cost, a MELD score greater than 30 was the most important predictor of high cost, followed by a Donor Risk Index greater than 1.8. CONCLUSION: By focusing on the highest cost drivers and predictors, hospitals can initiate programs to reduce cost while maintaining high quality care standards

Higher MELD score increases the overall cost on the waiting list for liver transplantation: a micro-costing analysis based study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The pre-transplant period is complex and includes lots of procedures. The severity of liver disease predisposes to a high number of hospitalizations and high costs procedures. Economic evaluation studies are important tools to handle costs on the waiting list for liver transplantation. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the total cost of the patient on the waiting list for liver transplantation and the main resources related to higher costs. METHODS: A cost study in a cohort of 482 patients registered on waiting list for liver transplantation was carried out. In 24 months follow-up, we evaluated all costs of materials, medicines, consultations, procedures, hospital admissions, laboratorial tests and image exams, hemocomponents replacements, and nutrition. The total amount of each resource or component used was aggregated and multiplied by the unitary cost, and thus individual cost for each patient was obtained. RESULTS: The total expenditure of the 482 patients was US$6,064,986.51. Outpatient and impatient costs correspond to 32.4$ 1,965,045.52) and 67.6% (US$4,099,940.99) respectively. Main cost drivers in outpatient were: medicines (44.31$ 16,686.74 ± 16,105.02) and the less expensive were those with MELD below 17 (US$ 5,703.22 ± 9,318.68). CONCLUSION: Total costs on the waiting list for liver transplantation increased according to the patient’s severity. Individually, hospitalizations, hemocomponents reposition and hepatocellular carcinoma treatment were the main cost drivers to the patient on the waiting list. The longer the waiting time, the higher the total cost on list, causing greater impact on health systems

Uterine transplantation: a systematic review

Up to 15% of the reproductive population is infertile, and 3 to 5% of these cases are caused by uterine dysfunction. This abnormality generally leads women to consider surrogacy or adoption. Uterine transplantation, although still experimental, may be an option in these cases. This systematic review will outline the recommendations, surgical aspects, immunosuppressive drugs and reproductive aspects related to experimental uterine transplantation in women

Early detection of acute kidney injury in the perioperative period of liver transplant with neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin.

BACKGROUND:Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients undergoing liver transplant (LT) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We aim to evaluate the pattern of urine and plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) elevation during the perioperative period of LT and to assess it as a prognostic marker for AKI progression, need for dialysis and mortality. METHODS:We assessed NGAL levels before induction of anesthesia, after portal reperfusion and at 6, 18, 24, and 48 h after surgery. Patients were monitored daily during the first week after LT. RESULTS:Of 100 enrolled patients undergoing liver transplant, 59 developed severe AKI based on the KDIGO serum creatinine (sCr) criterion; 34 were dialysed, and 21 died within 60 days after LT. Applying a cut-off value of 136 ng/ml, UNGAL values 6 h after surgery was a good predictor of AKI development within 7 days after surgery, having a positive predictive value (PPV) of 80% with an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI 0.67-0.86). PNGAL at 18 h after LT was also a good predictor of AKI in the first week, having a PPV of 81% and AUC of 0.74 (95% CI 0.60-0.88). Based on PNGAL and UNGAL cut-off criteria levels, time to AKI diagnosis was 28 and 23 h earlier than by sCr, respectively. The best times to assess the need for dialysis were 18 h after LT by PNGAL and 06 h after LT by UNGAL. CONCLUSION:In conclusion, the plasma and urine NGAL elevation pattern in the perioperative period of the liver transplant can predict AKI diagnosis earlier. UNGAL was an early independent predictor of AKI development and need for dialysis. Further studies are needed to assess whether the clinical use of biomarkers can improve patient outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Registered at Clinical Trials ( clinicaltrials.gov ) in March 24th, 2014 by title "Acute Kidney Injury Biomarkers: Diagnosis and Application in Pre-operative Period of Liver Transplantation (AKIB)" and identifier NCT02095431, retrospectively registered