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R Canelo

Publications and source records attributed to R Canelo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A novel management strategy of steroid-free immunosuppression after liver transplantation: efficacy and safety of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids have been used traditionally for immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation. The variety of modern immunosuppressive agents offers the chance to replace drugs with an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio. The objective of this prospective pilot study was to investigate a novel steroid-free immunosuppressive regimen after clinical liver transplantation. METHODS: 30 adult liver graft recipients were included in an intent-to-treat analysis. Dual induction immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Prophylactic steroids were not given. Efficacy and safety parameters analyzed were patient and graft survival, incidence and severity of rejection, and adverse events in correlation to immunosuppressive drug levels. RESULTS: Patient and graft survival at 2 years was 86.7 and 83.9%, respectively. Acute rejection occurred in 26.2%, and was associated with subtherapeutic tacrolimus blood levels and diarrhea. All rejections were completely reversible by temporary addition of steroids. Acute renal failure was seen in 10/30 patients, and was related to high tacrolimus blood levels together with primary liver graft dysfunction. 43% of all patients never received any steroids, and 73% were on a steroid-free maintenance regimen. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that corticosteroids can be completely avoided from the beginning after liver transplantation. Double drug immunosuppression with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil is effective and safe in terms of patient and graft survival as well as incidence and severity of rejection. In order to avoid under- or over-immunosuppression, which may be caused by impaired absorption or metabolism, close drug monitoring is advised.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Treatment of hepatic metastases from gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: role of liver transplantation.

The role of liver transplantation in malignancy has been discussed, but controversially, over the past two decades. This is particularly true for hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumors, which have a wide variety of primary tumor localizations, morphologic types, functional activities, and clinical presentations. Despite generally slow tumor progression, the prognosis is often unpredictable. Total hepatectomy and liver replacement has been offered primarily to patients with nonresectable metastases and symptomatic disease. The results from retrospective single and multicentric analyses show that most liver recipients experience significant palliation despite tumor recurrence, and in some patients long-term cure can be achieved. The existing data emphasize the importance of proper selection and timing for this approach.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Situs inversus of donor or recipient in liver transplantation.

Situs inversus is a rare anatomical abnormality that is often associated with multiple, complex malformations. In the past, patients with situs inversus were considered unsuitable candidates for transplantation or organ donation because associated visceral, and especially vascular, anomalies pose special technical difficulties. Recently, several cases of successful liver transplantation in recipients with situs inversus have been published using modified surgical techniques. This report reviews the literature and describes our own experience, including two liver graft recipients with complete and incomplete situs inversus, and one patient who underwent successful transplantation using a liver from a donor with situs inversus.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the world's most common malignancies. The aims of the present paper are to review data on (1) epidemiology and screening programmes for the early detection of the tumour and (2) advances in the diagnostic imaging and management. METHODS: Relevant English language articles, published between January 1985 and December 1997, were reviewed. Articles were identified through Medline search, using the key words 'hepatocellular carcinoma'. Articles cited in the bibliographies of these articles were searched manually. RESULTS: Hepatocellular carcinoma has a heterogeneous geographical distribution. Although its risk factors have been identified, the efficacy of screening programmes remains uncertain. Imaging has improved substantially with the recent application of dual-phase helical computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging employing specific contrast agents. The comparative efficacy of conservative therapy and surgical resection is uncertain, since well controlled trials are lacking. CONCLUSION: Hepatocellular carcinoma is commonly a problem of two diseases, the malignancy itself and cirrhosis. This renders treatment rarely curative, even when surgical resection can be applied in a technically successful sense. Liver transplantation could be a definitive treatment but this is plagued by limited donor resources.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1998

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt after orthotopic liver transplantation in a patient with early recurrence of portal hypertension of unknown origin.

A 65-year-old italian patient developed complicated portal hypertension immediately after orthtopic liver transplantation (OLT) necessitating shunt creation. One to five weeks after OLT, massive ascitic fluid losses of up to 121/day developed. Vascular and major hepatic-parenchymal abnormalities were excluded by duplexsonography, angiography and initial histology, respectively. A peritoneovenous shunt (Denver-shunt) on day 31 after OLT reduced (by about 50%) but did not stop ascitic fluid losses. Furthermore, three variceal bleedings occurred after implantation of the Denver-shunt. Direct portography on day 45 after OLT revealed portal hypertension (pressure gradient of 26 mmHg) requiring the implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPS) leading to a reduction of the pressure gradient to 13 mmHg. Subsequently, ascites resolved within ten days and esophageal varices improved. Liver function parameters normalized inspite of recurrence of HCV infection with detection of HCV RNA in serum already in the fifth week after OLT. During follow-up, histological findings deteriorated from mild changes to extended fibrosis at day 61 after OLT, which might have contributed to the maintenance of portal hypertension. The deterioration of liver histology was accompanied by an improvement/normalization of liver graft function. There was no evidence for additional viral liver infections, e.g. hepatitis B or cytomegalovirus infection. This case illustrates an etiologically unclear syndrome developing directly after OLT and reaffirms the effectiveness of TIPS in the treatment of complicated portal hypertension even after liver transplantation.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Technique, risks and results of additional portal vein resection in surgical therapy of proximal bile duct carcinoma].

The infiltration of the portal vein is not considered an absolute contraindication for resection therapy of proximal bile duct carcinomas. Portal vein resection and reconstruction may be performed without additional perioperative risk after hilar resection and hepatectomy. The resected hepatic vein is a suitable material for portal vein reconstruction. The median survival of patients with additional portal vein resection is comparable with patients without vascular infiltration in the same tumor stage.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Acute esophagus variceal hemorrhage and portal vein thrombosis as a complication of TIPSS. An unusual emergency indication for liver transplantation].

Acute oesophageal variceal bleeding is a severe complication of portal hypertension caused by liver cirrhosis. The mortality of the first bleeding runs up to 50%. Recurrent bleeding deteriorates the long-term prognosis. The therapy of first choice for acute oesophageal haemorrhage is endoscopic sclerotherapy. A new option to decompress portal hypertension for patients who continue to bleed despite sclerotherapy is TIPSS-implantation. We report on a patient suffering from recurrent oesophageal haemorrhage caused by portal hypertension due to postalcoholic liver cirrhosis, who developed a portal vein thrombosis after TIPSS-implantation. TIPSS-procedure permitted a bridging period for five months, until eventually a severe uncontrollable oesophageal haemorrhage occurred and emergency liver transplantation was needed. The patient was discharged after 6 weeks from the hospital in excellent condition.

Adult↗