Izzy, Manhal

The diagnostic criteria for cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) were recently revised to reflect the contemporary advancements in echocardiographic technology. This study evaluates the prevalence of CCM, according to the new criteria, and its impact on posttransplant cardiovascular disease (CVD). This is a single‐center retrospective matched cohort study of liver transplantation (LT) recipients who underwent LT between January 1, 2008 and November 30, 2017. A total of 3 cohorts with decompensated cirrhosis (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcohol‐related liver disease, or other etiologies) were matched based on age, sex, and year of transplant after excluding patients listed without evidence of hepatic decompensation. CCM was defined, according to 2020 criteria, as having diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤50%, and/or a global longitudinal strain (GLS) absolute value <18%. The study echocardiographers were blinded to the clinical data. Posttransplant CVD included new coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, atrial and ventricular arrhythmia, and stroke. The study included 141 patients of whom 59 were women. The mean age at LT was 57.8 (±7.6) years. A total of 49 patients (34.8%) had CCM. Patients with CCM were at an increased risk for post‐LT CVD (hazard ratio, 2.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.2‐5.5; P = 0.016). Changes in CCM individual parameters pretransplant, such as GLS, early diastolic transmitral flow to early diastolic mitral annular velocity, and left atrial volume index were associated with an increased risk for posttransplant CVD. CCM, defined by the new diagnostic criteria, affects approximately one‐third of decompensated LT candidates. CCM predicts an increased risk for new CVD following LT. Studies into addressing and follow‐up to mitigate these risks are needed.

Assessment of bone density is an important part of liver transplantation (LT) evaluation for early identification and treatment of osteoporosis. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) is currently the standard clinical test for osteoporosis; however, it may contribute to the appointment burden on LT candidates during the cumbersome evaluation process, and there are limitations affecting its accuracy. In this study, we evaluate the utility of biomechanical analysis of vertebral images obtained during dual‐energy abdominal triple‐phase computed tomography (TPCT) in diagnosing osteoporosis among LT candidates. We retrospectively reviewed cases evaluated for LT between January 2017 and March 2018. All patients who underwent TPCT within 3 months of DXA were included. The biomechanical computed tomography (BCT) analysis was performed at a centralized laboratory (O.N. Diagnostics, Berkeley, CA) by 2 trained analysts blinded to the DXA data. DXA‐based osteoporosis was defined as a T score ≤−2.5 at the hip or spine. BCT‐based osteoporosis was defined as vertebral strength ≤4500 N for women or ≤6500 N for men or trabecular volumetric bone mineral density ≤80 mg/cm3. Comparative data were available for 91 patients who had complete data for both DXA and BCT: 31 women and 60 men, age 54 ± 11 years (mean ± standard deviation), mean body mass index 28 ± 6 kg/m2. Using DXA as the clinical reference, sensitivity of BCT to detect DXA‐defined osteoporosis was 83.3% (20/24 patients) and negative predictive value was 91.7%; specificity and positive predictive value were 65.7% and 46.5%, respectively. BCT analysis of vertebral images on triple‐phase computed tomography, routinely obtained during transplant evaluation, can reliably rule out osteoporosis in LT candidates. Patients with suspicion of osteoporosis on TPCT may need further evaluation by DXA.

Background and Aims Thirty percent of patients with cirrhosis are obese and the prevalence of obesity increases after transplant to >40% post‐transplant. There are currently four weight loss medications approved by the FDA for treatment of obesity (orlistat, phentermine‐topiramate, naltrexone‐bupropion, and liraglutide). The aim of this review was to investigate the data on the use of these weight loss medications and alternative medicines in patients with cirrhosis and in liver transplant recipients (LTRs). Approach and Results While there is paucity of data for these medications in patients with cirrhosis and LTRs, Liraglutide appears to be generally safe in view of its pharmacokinetic properties. Phentermine‐topiramate seems to have the highest weight loss potential but special consideration should be given to neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular comorbidities, and drug interactions. There are emerging data on use of alternative medicines for weight loss but more data are needed. Conclusions The use of weight loss medications is feasible in this patient population but the decision of which medication to prescribe should be individualized based on the degree of renal and hepatic impairment, other co‐morbidities, and concomitant medications.

Abstract Background Obesity is commonly observed in patients with cirrhosis, especially with the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Bariatric surgery has been avoided in these patients given concerns about increased perioperative risk; therefore, data are lacking regarding long-term outcomes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with cirrhosis who underwent bariatric surgery. Methods We reviewed the charts of adult patients with compensated cirrhosis who underwent bariatric surgery after they were prospectively enrolled between February 23, 2009 and November 9, 2011, and followed in a pilot study for evaluation of bariatric surgery outcomes. Only patients with more than 4 years of follow-up were included in the analysis. Data regarding their liver disease, metabolic status, and survival were collected. A descriptive analysis was performed. Results The cohort consisted of 10 patients, of whom 7 were females. The median post-surgical follow-up was 8.7 years (± 1.4 years). All patients had biopsy-proven NASH; two patients had concurrent, untreated hepatitis C infection. During the observation period, there was a mean weight loss of 24 kg (19.2% of total body weight pre surgery, P &lt; 0.001) and only one patient regained weight to the baseline pre-surgical measurement. One patient who was not eligible for transplant developed hepatic encephalopathy 3 years after surgery and later died. The remainder of the patients did not have any hepatic decompensation, cardiovascular event, or mortality. Except for one patient with Gilbert syndrome, bilirubin was normal in all patients at last follow-up. Conclusions Bariatric surgery in patients with compensated cirrhosis can lead to sustained weight loss and stable hepatic function on long-term follow-up.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is cardiac dysfunction in patients with end‐stage liver disease in the absence of prior heart disease. First defined in 2005 during the World Congress of Gastroenterology, CCM criteria consisted of echocardiographic parameters to identify subclinical cardiac dysfunction in the absence of overt structural abnormalities. Significant advancements in cardiovascular imaging over the past 14 years, including the integration of myocardial deformation imaging into routine clinical practice to identify subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction, have rendered the 2005 CCM criteria obsolete. Therefore, new criteria based on contemporary cardiovascular imaging parameters are needed. In this guidance document, assembled by a group of multidisciplinary experts in the field, new core criteria based on contemporary cardiovascular imaging parameters are proposed for the assessment of CCM. This document provides a critical assessment of the diagnosis of CCM and ongoing assessment aimed at improving clinical outcomes, particularly surrounding liver transplantation. Key points and practice‐based recommendations for the diagnosis of CCM are provided to offer guidance for clinicians and identify gaps in knowledge for future investigations.

Purpose of review Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of mortality after liver transplantation. The transplant community is focused on improving long-term survival. Understanding the prevalence of CVD in liver transplant recipients, precipitating factors as well as prevention and management strategies is essential to achieving this goal. Recent findings CVD is the leading cause of death within the first year after transplant. Arrhythmia and heart failure are the most often cardiovascular morbidities in the first year after transplant which could be related to pretransplant diastolic dysfunction. Pretransplant diastolic dysfunction is reflective of presence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy which is not as harmless as it was thought. Multiple cardiovascular risk prediction models have become available to aid management in liver transplant recipients. Summary A comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy is critical to minimize cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after liver transplant. Weight management and metabolic syndrome control are cornerstones to any prevention and management strategy. Bariatric surgery is an underutilized tool in liver transplant recipients. Awareness of ‘metabolic-friendly’ immunosuppressive regimens should be sought. Strict adherence to the cardiology and endocrine society guidelines with regard to managing metabolic derangements post liver transplantation is instrumental for CVD prevention until transplant specific recommendations can be made.