Jarmi, Tambi

ABSTRACTIntroductionThis study examined simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplant (SPKt) in Black and White patients to identify disparities in transplantation, days on the waitlist, and reasons for SPKt waitlist removal.MethodsUsing the United Network for Organ Sharing Standard Transplant Analysis and Research file, patients between January 1, 2009, and May 31, 2021, were included. Three cohorts (overall, SPKt recipients only, and those not transplanted) were selected using propensity score matching. Conditional logistic regression was used for categorical outcomes. Days on the waitlist were compared using negative binomial regression.ResultsBlack patients had increased odds of receiving a SPKt (OR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.11–1.40], p < 0.001). White patients had increased odds of receiving a kidney‐only transplant (OR 0.48 [95% CI, 0.38–0.61], p < 0.001), and specifically increased odds of receiving a living donor kidney (OR 0.34 [0.25–0.45], p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study found that Black patients are more likely to receive a SPKt. Results suggest that there are opportunities for additional inquiry related to patient removal from the waitlist, particularly considering White patients received or accepted more kidney‐only transplants and were more likely to receive a living donor kidney‐only transplant.

Objectives Endovascular aneurysm repair, though minimally invasive and has the benefit of relatively low perioperative complication rates, it is associated with significant long term reintervention rates related to endoleaks. Several variables have been studied to predict the outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair, 1 of which is the calcium burden of the vasculature. This prompted us to study the association between calcium burden measured by the standardized Agatston scoring system and the outcomes of Endovascular aneurysm repair. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent Endovascular aneurysm repair from 2008 to 2020 at our institution and who had a non-contrast computerized tomography scan preoperatively, accounting for 87 patients. The calcium burden of the vasculature was measured by the Agatston scoring system allowing for better reproducibility, and the outcome variables included mortality and endoleaks. Results Patients with higher median total calcium scores (≥12966.9) had significantly lesser survival (79.8% vs 52.3% ( P = .002) at five years compared to patients with lower median total calcium score (<12966.9). Also, patients with type 2 endoleaks had higher calcium scores in above the aneurysm level ((1591.2 vs 688.2), P = .05)) compared to patients with no type 2 endoleaks. Conclusion Calcium score assigned using a standardized Agatston scoring system can be used as a predictor of mortality risk assisting in deciding the treatment of choice for patients.

Background. Predicting long-term mortality postkidney transplantation (KT) using baseline clinical data presents significant challenges. This study aims to evaluate the predictive power of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled analysis of preoperative electrocardiograms (ECGs) in forecasting long-term mortality following KT. Methods. We analyzed preoperative ECGs from KT recipients at three Mayo Clinic sites (Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona) between January 1, 2006, and July 30, 2021. The study involved 6 validated AI algorithms, each trained to predict future development of atrial fibrillation, aortic stenosis, low ejection fraction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, amyloid heart disease, and biological age. These algorithms’ outputs based on a single preoperative ECG were correlated with patient mortality data. Results. Among 6504 KT recipients included in the study, 1764 (27.1%) died within a median follow-up of 5.7 y (interquartile range: 3.00–9.29 y). All AI-ECG algorithms were independently associated with long-term all-cause mortality (P < 0.001). Notably, few patients had a clinical cardiac diagnosis at the time of transplant, indicating that AI-ECG scores were predictive even in asymptomatic patients. When adjusted for multiple clinical factors such as recipient age, diabetes, and pretransplant dialysis, AI algorithms for atrial fibrillation and aortic stenosis remained independently associated with long-term mortality. These algorithms also improved the C-statistic for predicting overall (C = 0.74) and cardiac-related deaths (C = 0.751). Conclusions. The findings suggest that AI-enabled preoperative ECG analysis can be a valuable tool in predicting long-term mortality following KT and could aid in identifying patients who may benefit from enhanced cardiac monitoring because of increased risk.

AbstractBackgroundBK polyomavirus (BKV) infection is a common complication of kidney transplantation. While BKV has been described in non‐kidney transplant recipients, data are limited regarding its epidemiology and outcomes in pancreas transplant recipients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent pancreas transplantation from 2010–2020. The primary outcome was BKV DNAemia. Secondary outcomes were estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reduction by 30%, eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, endstage kidney disease, and pancreas allograft failure. Cox regression with time‐dependent variables was utilized.ResultsFour hundred and sixty‐six patients were analyzed, including 74, 46, and 346 with pancreas transplant alone (PTA), pancreas‐after‐kidney, or simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplants, respectively. PTA recipients experienced a lower incidence of BKV DNAemia (8.8% vs. 32.9%; p < .001) and shorter duration of DNAemia (median 28.0 vs. 84.5 days). No PTA recipients with BKV DNAemia underwent kidney biopsy or developed endstage kidney disease. Lymphopenia, non‐PTA transplantation, and older age were associated with BKV DNAemia, which itself was associated with pancreas allograft failure (adjusted hazard ratio 2.14, 95% confidence interval 1.27–3.60; p = .004). Among PTA recipients, BKV DNAemia was not associated with eGFR reduction or eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2.ConclusionsBKV DNAemia was common among PTA recipients, though lower than a comparable group of pancreas–kidney recipients. However, BKV DNAemia was not associated with adverse native kidney outcomes and no PTA recipients developed endstage kidney disease. Conversely, BKV DNAemia was associated with pancreas allograft failure. Further studies are needed to estimate the rate of BKV nephropathy in this population, and further evaluate long‐term kidney outcomes.

Abstract Background and Aims Individuals who are most susceptible to developing PTLD are those who are EBV-negative and receive organs from EBV-positive donors (EBV R-/D+). The evidence regarding the connection between ATG induction therapy and PTLD is inconsistent. No studies have specifically examined the relationship between ATG use and PTLD in subgroups of EBV-negative transplant recipients (EBV R-). Using the UNOS database, we studied the association between the use of induction agents and PTLD in EBV R- patients. Method We analyzed data from 2007 to 2022 of EBV R- patients who underwent their first kidney-only transplant and excluded those who received induction agents other than ATG, basiliximab, or alemtuzumab. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between induction agents and PTLD. Results Of 20,531 recipients, 50.7% received ATG, 19.13% received basiliximab, 13.42% received alemtuzumab, and 16.75% received no induction. The overall PTLD incidence was 2.14%. ATG recipients had higher rates of deceased donor transplants, higher degree of HLA mismatch, longer dialysis vintage, and were less likely to be white, compared to non-ATG recipients. Multivariate analysis showed ATG recipients had a higher risk of PTLD compared to non-ATG (odds ratio = 1.47, p&lt;0.001). After excluding recipients who did not receive induction, ATG remained a significant independent risk factor for PTLD when compared to recipients who received either basiliximab or alemtuzumab (odds ratio = 1.35, p = 0.007). There was no statistically significant difference in PTLD risk among patients treated with basiliximab, alemtuzumab, or no induction (refer to Table 1). Conclusion The use of ATG induction in EBV-negative kidney transplant recipients is associated with a higher risk of PTLD compared to basiliximab, alemtuzumab, and no induction. The risk of PTLD should be considered when choosing induction therapy for this patient population.

Background. Surgical-site infection (SSI) is the most common early infectious complication after pancreas transplantation (PT). Although SSI has been shown to worsen outcomes, little data exist to guide optimal choices in perioperative prophylaxis. Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort study of PT recipients from 2010–2020 to examine the effect of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis with Enterococcus coverage. Enterococcus coverage included antibiotics that would be active for penicillin-susceptible Enterococcus isolates. The primary outcome was SSI within 30 d of transplantation, and secondary outcomes were Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and a composite of pancreas allograft failure or death. Outcomes were analyzed by multivariable Cox regression. Results. Of 477 PT recipients, 217 (45.5%) received perioperative prophylaxis with Enterococcus coverage. Eighty-seven recipients (18.2%) developed an SSI after a median of 15 d from transplantation. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, perioperative Enterococcus prophylaxis was associated with reduced risk of SSI (hazard ratio [HR] 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.96; P = 0.034). Anastomotic leak was also significantly associated with elevated risk of SSI (HR 13.95; 95% CI, 8.72-22.32; P < 0.001). Overall, 90-d CDI was 7.4%, with no difference between prophylaxis groups (P = 0.680). SSI was associated with pancreas allograft failure or death, even after adjusting for clinical factors (HR 1.94; 95% CI, 1.16-3.23; P = 0.011). Conclusions. Perioperative prophylaxis with Enterococcus coverage was associated with reduced risk of 30-d SSI but did not seem to influence risk of 90-d CDI after PT. This difference may be because of the use of beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations, which provide better activity against enteric organisms such as Enterococcus and anaerobes compared with cephalosporin. Risk of SSI was also related to anastomotic leak from surgery, and SSI itself was associated with subsequent risk of a poor outcome. Measures to mitigate or prevent early complications are warranted.

AbstractBackgroundAbdominal arterial calcification (AAC) is common among candidates for kidney transplant. The aim of this study is to correlate AAC score value with post‐kidney transplant outcomes.MethodsWe modified the coronary calcium score by changing the intake data points and used it to quantitate the AAC. We conducted a retrospective clinical study of all adult patients who were transplanted at our center, between 2010 and 2013, and had abdominal computed tomography scan done before transplantation. Outcomes included mortality, pulse pressure (PP) measured by 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring system, and kidney allograft function measured by iothalamate clearance.ResultsFor each 1000 increase of AAC score value, there is an associated 1.05 increase in the risk of death (95% CI 1.02, 1.08) (p < 0.001). Overall median AAC value for all patients was 1784; Kaplan–Meier curve showed reduced survival of all‐cause mortality for patients with AAC score value above median and reduced survival among patients with cardiac related mortality. The iothalamate clearance was lower among patients with total AAC score value above the median. Patients with abnormal PP (< 40 or > 60 mmHg) had an elevated median AAC score value at 4319.3 (IQR 1210.4, 11097.1) compared to patients with normal PP with AAC score value at 595.9 (IQR 9.9, 2959.9) (p < 0.001).ConclusionWe showed an association of AAC with patients’ survival and kidney allograft function after kidney transplant. The AAC score value could be used as a risk stratification when patients are considered for kidney transplant.

Objectives Pancreas transplant is the only treatment that establishes normal glucose levels for patients diagnosed with diabetes. We analyzed the outcome of pancreas transplant alone (PTA) versus standard of care in the United States from 2008 to 2018. We also developed an economic model to analyze the cost-effectiveness of pancreas transplant versus continuing standard of care. Methods We used the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database and analyzed PTA recipient survival. Using those results, we developed a Markov model that followed a cohort of 40-year-old patients with type 1 diabetes over a 10-year time horizon. The primary outcomes were (i) the survival benefit of a pancreas transplant, (ii) quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and (iii) total costs. Results We found no difference in survival advantage of PTA compared with standard of care (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–2.14). However, pancreas transplant ($172,823, 6.87 QALY) was cost-saving compared with standard of care ($232,897, 6.04 QALY) for type 1 diabetes. Pancreas transplantation was cost-effective in 95% of 10,000 simulations in probabilistic sensitivity analysis, using a $100,000/QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. Conclusions Although there is no difference in survival for PTA compared with standard of care, PTA is a cost-saving therapy for type 1 diabetes.

Pre–liver transplantation (LT) renal dysfunction is associated with poor post‐LT survival. We studied whether early allograft dysfunction (EAD) modifies this association. Data on 2,856 primary LT recipients who received a transplant between 1998 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who died within the first post‐LT week or received multiorgan transplants and previous LT recipients were excluded. EAD was defined as (1) total bilirubin ≥ 10 mg/dL on postoperative day (POD) 7, (2) international normalized ratio ≥1.6 on POD 7, and/or (3) alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase ≥2000 IU/mL in the first postoperative week. Pre‐LT renal dysfunction was defined as serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL or on renal replacement therapy at LT. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to pre‐LT renal dysfunction and post‐LT EAD development. Recipients who had both pre‐LT renal dysfunction and post‐LT EAD had the worst unadjusted 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year post‐LT patient and graft survival, whereas patients who had neither renal dysfunction nor EAD had the best survival (P < 0.001). After adjusting for multiple factors, the risk of death was significantly higher only in those with both pre‐LT renal dysfunction and post‐LT EAD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58‐3.03; P < 0.001), whereas those with renal dysfunction and no EAD had a comparable risk of death to those with normal kidney function at LT (aHR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.86‐1.45; P = 0.41). Results remained unchanged when pre‐LT renal dysfunction was redefined using different glomerular filtration rate cutoffs. Pre‐LT renal dysfunction negatively impacts post‐LT survival only in patients who develop EAD. Livers at higher risk of post‐LT EAD should be used with caution in recipients with pre‐LT renal dysfunction.