Outcomes of liver transplantation using moderately steatotic liver from donation after cardiac death (DCD)
Xin Duan, Liting Yan, Yan Shen, Min Zhang, Xueli Bai, Tingbo Liang
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Liver grafts from donation after cardiac death (DCD) with moderate steatosis (MS) are generally considered unsui for liver transplantation (LT) because DCD and MS are independent risk factors of poor prognosis of LT. Many centers have begun to accept this type of liver graft. However, the clinical outcomes are indeed controversial. This study aimed to examine the outcomes after LT of using such liver grafts. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed our experiences in 80 allografts from May 2015 to September 2019. A total of 16 allografts using MS liver grafts from DCD (MS-DCD group) were compared with a matched control group of 64 allografts using a nonsteatotic liver graft (NS group) (1:4 ratio). Postoperative outcomes, including primary nonfunction (PNF), initial poor function (IPF), postoperative complications, and graft/patient survival rates, were extracted for pooled analysis. RESULTS: 68.8%, log-rank test, P=0.79). CONCLUSIONS: After rigorous evaluation, it was found that moderately steatotic liver from DCD is an effective means to expand the source of liver supply.