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D J Plevak

Publications and source records attributed to D J Plevak.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Hepatopulmonary syndrome with progressive hypoxemia as an indication for liver transplantation: case reports and literature review.

In the hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), a pulmonary vascular complication of liver disease, severe hypoxemia due to pulmonary vascular dilatation can be extremely debilitating. Determining whether patients with advanced liver disease and HPS should be considered for liver transplantation is difficult. We describe three patients with progressive and severe hypoxemia who underwent successful liver transplantation and had resolution of their arterial hypoxemia. In these patients, the progressive pulmonary deterioration accelerated the need and was considered an indication for liver transplantation rather than being considered an absolute or relative contraindication. In addition, we review the literature on 81 pediatric and adult patients with HPS who underwent liver transplantation and specifically highlight mortality, morbidity, syndrome resolution, and prognostic factors. Posttransplantation mortality (16%) was associated with the severity of hypoxemia (mean arterial oxygen tension [PaO2] in 68 survivors was 54.2 +/- 13.2 mm Hg and in 13 nonsurvivors was 44.7 +/- 7.7 mm Hg; P<0.03). Patients with a pretransplantation PaO2 of 50 mm Hg or lower had significantly more frequent mortality (30%) in comparison with those with a PaO2 greater than 50 mm Hg (4%; P<0.02). Pulmonary recommendations that address the severity of hypoxemia and candidacy for liver transplantation are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Granulocyte accumulation in the transplanted liver does not correlate with clinical and histologic evidence of dysfunction.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of granulocytes in reperfusion injury after liver transplantation. The authors injected radiolabeled granulocytes to determine if human liver graft outcome could be correlated with granulocyte accumulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pure granulocyte suspension was prepared from eight patients 12 to 24 hours after orthotopic liver transplantation. The granulocytes were labeled with indium-111 (111In) oxine and reinjected. Total body radionuclide images were performed. Liver uptake of granulocytes was compared with biochemical and histologic evidence of liver injury. RESULTS: No correlation was found between liver uptake of granulocytes, as measured by geometric mean counts, and the biochemical or histologic measures of liver injury. Liver uptake of 111In was 9.6% for the patient who had liver dysfunction and 10.4% mean of the study group. This technique did not detect early signs of liver dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation supports the premise that granulocytes do not play a major role in reperfusion injury of the newly transplanted liver graft.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1996

Causes and outcome of seizures in liver transplant recipients.

Previous studies found that seizures in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) herald a catastrophic neurologic event, but the studies were done of patients who later died and came to autopsy. We studied 630 OLT patients. Laboratory values, electroencephalography, neuroimaging, and levels of cyclosporine or FK506 were reviewed. Neurotoxicity from immunosuppression was considered a trigger for seizures when toxic blood level or increases > or = to 100% were documented, or when white matter lesions or confusional state or tremors were present. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurred in 28 of 630 patients (4%). In 7 patients seizures were part of an agonal event (central nervous system infection [n = 3], anoxic encephalopathy [n = 1], cerebral edema with fulminant hepatic failure [n = 1], intracranial hemorrhage [n = 1], and sepsis [n = 1]. In 17 patients cyclosporine (n = 11) or FK506 (n = 6) could be implicated. Remaining causes were acute uremia (n = 1), meningioma (n = 1), and unknown (n = 2). All patients were initially treated with anticonvulsants. Median follow-up of 2 years did not reveal seizure recurrence after discontinuation of anticonvulsants. We conclude that the majority of new-onset seizures after OLT are not indicative of a poor prognosis. Immunosuppression neurotoxicity is the most frequent cause. Anticonvulsant therapy is not necessary for favorable long-term outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Frequency and clinical implications of increased pulmonary artery pressures in liver transplant patients.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the pulmonary hemodynamics and identify predictors of pulmonary hypertension in a group of patients before liver transplantation and to determine whether pulmonary hypertension in these patients is related to survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 362 patients before their first liver transplantation (between 1985 and 1993), the clinical history, laboratory data, and results of pulmonary function tests were recorded. Pulmonary artery (PA) catheterization was performed after induction of anesthesia at the time of transplantation. Monthly follow-up was maintained. RESULTS: A hyperdynamic circulation was often present -- an increased mean cardiac output (7.6 L/min), increased mean PA pressure (20.9 mm Hg), correlation of mean PA pressure with cardiac output (r = 0.25; P<0.001), and decreased mean pulmonary vascular resistance (60 dynes times s/cm5). Mean PA pressures were more than 25 mm Hg in 72 patients (20%). Pulmonary hypertension (defined as mean PA pressure of more than 25 mm Hg and pulmonary vascular resistance in excess of 120 dynes times s/cm5) occurred in 15 patients (4%). Pulmonary function tests revealed obstruction in 7%, restriction in 18%, and low diffusing capacity in 46%. By univariate analysis, lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, and total lung capacity were the only preoperative factors associated with pulmonary hypertension (P<0.05). Survival was significantly lower in patients with acute fulminant hepatitis (P<0.001), the group with the highest mean PA pressure, than in those with other diagnoses. Increased PA pressures or mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension was not found to be associated with a worse survival by univariate or multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Increased PA pressure is common in liver transplant patients (20%). "True" pulmonary hypertension occurred in only 4% of our patients and was not associated with an adverse outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Acute liver failure: results of a 5-year clinical protocol.

This investigation summarizes and evaluates the results of a clinical protocol that we designed to care for patients with acute liver failure (ALF). Adult patients with ALF were enrolled in the protocol. Grade II portal-systemic encephalopathy prompted admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients who met the clinical criterion were activated for liver transplantation. Intracranial pressure (ICP) was monitored in patients with grade III encephalopathy. An increase in ICP was treated with hyperventilation, diuretics, barbiturates, or a combination thereof. Survival was considered to have occurred if the patient left the hospital alive. Our series included 25 patients. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was performed on 19 patients, 12 of whom survived. Only 2 of 6 patients who did not undergo transplantation survived. Ten of 11 patients who underwent transplantation before reaching grade IV encephalopathy survived. Only 2 of 8 patients who underwent transplantation after reaching grade IV survived (P = .006). The causes of death included cerebral edema (3 patients), disseminated aspergillosis (3 patients), and other (5 patients). ICP was monitored in 11 patients. Increased pressure was documented by seven of the monitors placed. There was one focal hemorrhage secondary to a subdural monitor. Outcome is improved if transplantation occurs before grade IV encephalopathy. ICP monitoring can be accomplished without significant risk of hemorrhage. In our series, infection with aspergillus occurred frequently and with fatal outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Clinical and radiologic features of cerebral edema in fulminant hepatic failure.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a series of consecutive patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and to present a new classification system for brain edema, an important cause of mortality in such patients. DESIGN: We reviewed 22 computed tomographic (CT) scans of the brain in 12 patients with FHF and classified the severity of cerebral edema by using predefined criteria. RESULTS: No cerebral edema was detected on CT scans in four patients with stage 1 or 2 hepatic encephalopathy at the time of admission, but it was noted in seven of eight patients with stage 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy. The severity of brain edema on CT scans was significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with the stage of hepatic encephalopathy. Three of the four patients who had stage 1 or 2 hepatic encephalopathy at the time of initial assessment ultimately had a good outcome. Of seven patients with stage 3 encephalopathy, two had rapid deterioration to brain death, three died of nonneurologic causes, and two had a good outcome after liver transplantation. One patient with stage 4 hepatic encephalopathy died, and autopsy showed cerebral edema. CONCLUSION: Stage 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy is associated with cerebral edema that can be detected on CT scans. The clinical and radiologic signs of cerebral edema in patients who have progression to stage 3 hepatic encephalopathy can be reversed with conventional treatment of increased intracranial pressure. Whether early recognition and treatment of cerebral edema result in increased survival of patients with FHF remains to be determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Nutritional support for liver transplantation: identifying caloric and protein requirements.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the caloric and protein requirements of patients with end-stage liver disease before and for 28 days after liver transplantation. DESIGN: We prospectively assessed 16 adult patients who were scheduled to undergo liver transplantation between December 1989 and September 1990. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nitrogen balance, 24-hour urinary creatinine, 3-methylhistidine, and resting energy expenditure were determined before transplantation and on days 1, 3, 5, 14, and 28 after transplantation. The investigators were unaware of the results of these measurements, and patients were fed in accordance with a previously established clinical protocol. RESULTS: Resting energy expenditure did not increase from preoperative values; however, urinary nitrogen and 3-methylhistidine increased significantly after liver transplantation, an indication of protein catabolism from a myofibrillar source. A negative nitrogen balance persisted for 28 days post-operatively. CONCLUSION: We recommend that caloric intake be determined by using the formulation provided by the Harris-Benedict equation at ideal body weight plus 20%. We also recommend that intake of protein be adjusted on the basis of preoperative nutritional assessment, perioperative hepatic and renal function, and results of tests used to measure the adequacy of administered protein. Parenterally or enterally administered protein of more than 1.2 g/kg daily should be well tolerated in most patients who have undergone liver transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Analgesia in the critically ill patient.

Pain is a major problem and primary concern of patients in the ICU. While nonintubated patients can verbalize their discomfort to healthcare providers, intubated patients cannot effectively communicate and are more at risk for inadequate analgesia. Mechanically ventilated, paralyzed patients are at even greater risk for inadequate control of pain. Compassionate care of ICU patients requires clinicians to treat a patient's pain, which, in addition to improving patient satisfaction, may improve patient outcome by attenuating the stress response. Pain arises in the periphery, when tissue destruction causes the release of biochemical agents that activate peripheral pain receptors. These receptors, in turn, initiate an impulse in A-delta and C fibers, an impulse that is carried through neurons in the spinal cord to the brainstem and cerebral cortex. Effective treatment of pain is achieved using several modalities that modify the pain impulse, either in the periphery or within the central nervous system. A number of techniques are available, ranging from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to other techniques and medications. However, analgesia usually requires the use of exogenous opioids. The most critically ill, mechanically ventilated patient receiving controlled alveolar minute ventilation is a candidate for continuous infusion of intravenous narcotics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analgesia↗
PubMed1993

Pulmonary complications of orthotopic liver transplantation.

We retrospectively reviewed the pulmonary complications and associated morbidity and mortality of 44 consecutive patients who underwent 52 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) at the Mayo Clinic during 1987. All survivors participated in follow-up for 1 year after OLT. Of the five deaths in the study group, three were associated with pulmonary infections. On postoperative chest roentgenograms, 24 cases of pulmonary infiltrates were noted; 12 were caused by infections. Ten opportunistic pulmonary infections developed in nine patients: four cytomegalovirus, three Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and one each of Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, and Candida. All except one of the opportunistic infections were diagnosed after the sixth postoperative week. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was helpful for diagnosing opportunistic pulmonary infections in six patients. One Aspergillus pulmonary infection was diagnosed by transthoracic needle aspiration. Bacterial pneumonia occurred in five patients. Preoperative pulmonary function tests, performed in 40 patients, revealed a restrictive ventilatory defect in 28% and impaired gas transfer in 52%. Pleural effusion was present in 18% of patients preoperatively and in 77% during the first week after OLT. Preoperative severity of liver disease and results of arterial blood gas determinations, pulmonary function tests, and chest roentgenography were not associated with postoperative mortality and pulmonary infections. Infectious and noninfectious pulmonary complications are common in liver transplant recipients. Attempts to decrease the frequency and severity of pulmonary complications by early diagnosis and effective treatment may diminish the morbidity and mortality associated with OLT.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Hyperdynamic circulatory state after liver transplantation.

HCS is common pre-LT (69% of our patients) and frequently develops in NHCS patients during LT. There is a trend toward normalization of HCS after LT. Despite the increased requirement for postoperative blood transfusion in those patients with HCS, it may be prudent to avoid treatment of HCS with cardiodepressants and await its spontaneous reversal.

Adolescent↗