Older donors are a growing part of the total donor pool but no definite consensus exists on the limit of age for their acceptance. From November 1998 to January 2003, in a retrospective case-control multicenter study, we compared the outcome of 30 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) with octogenarian donors and of 60 chronologically correlated OLTs performed with donors <40 years. The percentage of refusal was greater among older than younger donors (48.2 vs. 14.3%; p < 0.001). Cold ischemia was significantly shorter in the older than younger groups. Recipients with hepatocarcinoma and older age received octogenarian grafts more frequently. No differences were seen in post-operative complications and 6-month graft and patient survival. However, long-term survival was lower in patients transplanted with octogenarian donors (p = 0.04). Interestingly, the mortality related to hepatitis C recurrence was greater in patients with octogenarian donors. Accordingly, the long-term survival of HCV-positive patients who received older grafts was lower than those receiving younger grafts (p = 0.05). Octogenarian livers can be used safely but a careful donor evaluation and a short cold ischemia are required to prevent additional risk factors. However, hepatitis C recurrence is associated with a greater mortality in patients who received octogenarian grafts raising concerns whether to allocate these livers to HCV-positive recipients.

Liver transplantation from donors aged 80 years and over: pushing the limit

FILIPPONI, FRANCO;MOSCA, FRANCO;
2004-01-01

Abstract

Older donors are a growing part of the total donor pool but no definite consensus exists on the limit of age for their acceptance. From November 1998 to January 2003, in a retrospective case-control multicenter study, we compared the outcome of 30 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) with octogenarian donors and of 60 chronologically correlated OLTs performed with donors <40 years. The percentage of refusal was greater among older than younger donors (48.2 vs. 14.3%; p < 0.001). Cold ischemia was significantly shorter in the older than younger groups. Recipients with hepatocarcinoma and older age received octogenarian grafts more frequently. No differences were seen in post-operative complications and 6-month graft and patient survival. However, long-term survival was lower in patients transplanted with octogenarian donors (p = 0.04). Interestingly, the mortality related to hepatitis C recurrence was greater in patients with octogenarian donors. Accordingly, the long-term survival of HCV-positive patients who received older grafts was lower than those receiving younger grafts (p = 0.05). Octogenarian livers can be used safely but a careful donor evaluation and a short cold ischemia are required to prevent additional risk factors. However, hepatitis C recurrence is associated with a greater mortality in patients who received octogenarian grafts raising concerns whether to allocate these livers to HCV-positive recipients.
2004
Nardo, B; Masetti, M; Urbani, L; Caraceni, P; Montalti, R; Filipponi, Franco; Mosca, Franco; Martinelli, G; Bernardi, M; DANIELE PINNA, A; Cavallari, ...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/199581
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