Cárdenas, Andrés

The efficacy and safety of a fluid‐filled intragastric balloon (IGB) for weight loss in patients with cirrhosis on the liver transplantation (LT) waiting list is unknown. We enrolled stable compensated patients with body mass index >35 kg/m2 and on the waiting list for IGB placement endoscopically for a maximum of 6 months. A total of 8 patients (7 men) aged mean ± SD, 56 ± 4.6 years with Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease–sodium (MELD‐Na) scores 14.1 ± 3.4 experienced weight reduction (146 ± 22.2 kg versus 127 ± 21.6 kg [P = 0.005] with IGB in place and 130 ± 24.6 kg [P = 0.014] at 6 months), with a total body weight loss of 12.2% ± 8.8% with IGBs in place and 10.9% ± 8.9% at 6 months. Body fat decreased from 48.6% ± 5.8% to 40.6% ± 6.4% (P = 0.001) and lean mass increased from 51.3% ± 6% to 59.4% ± 6.4% (P = 0.001). No change in MELD‐Na scores occurred (P = 0.770). Early balloon retrieval was attributed to accommodative symptoms (n = 2) and liver decompensation (n = 1). Mallory Weiss tears (n = 3), but no portal hypertensive bleeding, occurred. Liver decompensation and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in 3 patients. A total of 4 patients with LT ± sleeve gastrectomy maintained overall weight loss. Of 4 patients who did not receive transplants, 2 experienced weight regain. IGB results in short‐term weight loss in patients with cirrhosis awaiting LT, with body fat loss without lean mass loss. Adverse effects were common. Decompensation and HCC did occur, with uncertainty of the relation to weight loss, and thus careful patient selection and close follow‐up are required.

Hyponatremia in cirrhosis is defined as a serum sodium level ≤130 mEq/L and occurs in approximately 22% of patients with cirrhosis. The appearance of hyponatremia in patients with cirrhosis portends a poor prognosis before liver transplantation (LT), independent of the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. With the development of the MELD‐sodium score, the management of hyponatremia has become more relevant than ever before. Overcorrection of hyponatremia before LT or perioperatively can lead to the devastating neurologic condition known as osmotic demyelination syndrome, which is often irreversible and fatal. Therefore, the most important tenet of hyponatremia is to avoid correcting the serum sodium by ≥8 mEq/L in a 24‐hour period. Treatment of hyponatremia is highly challenging. The vast majority of patients with cirrhosis have chronic hypervolemic hyponatremia. Fluid restriction increases serum sodium levels, but tolerance and compliance are significant barriers. Diuretic withdrawal is helpful but contributes to worsening fluid overload. There are limited data to support use of intravenous concentrated albumin solutions. The use of the arginine vasopressin antagonists (“vaptans”) is contentious; however, they may have a limited role. Risk factors for intraoperative overcorrection of serum sodium include increased utilization of packed red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma transfusions, which are often unavoidable. Intraoperative management is evolving, and more data are needed in regard to the use of sodium‐reduced continuous venovenous hemofiltration and the use of trishydroxymethylaminomethane (Tris) to avoid excess sodium rebound. A thorough discussion of the current treatment options before and during LT is given in this review.

Background Bile leak after liver transplantation (LT) is commonly treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); however, there are limited data regarding the optimal treatment strategy. Objective We aimed to examine the role of ERCP in LT recipients with bile leaks at two large institutions. Methods We reviewed all ERCPs performed in LT recipients with bile leak and duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis at two high-volume transplant centers. Results Eighty patients were included. Forty-seven (59%) patients underwent ERCP with plastic stent placement (with or without sphincterotomy) and 33 patients (41%) underwent sphincterotomy alone. Complete resolution was obtained in 94% of the stent group vs. 58% of the sphincterotomy group ( p < 0.01). There was no difference in three-month survival among both groups. Percutaneous transhepatic therapy and surgery were required in 4% and 6% in the stent group vs. 12% and 42% in the sphincterotomy group, respectively ( p = 0.22 and p < 0.001). The only predictive factor of bile leak resolution was stent placement. Conclusion ERCP with plastic stent placement is highly successful and more effective than sphincterotomy alone for post-LT bile leak treatment. These results indicate that ERCP and plastic stent placement should be considered the standard of care for the treatment of bile leaks in LT.