Kamath, Patrick S.

Abstract Cirrhosis is complicated by a high rate of nosocomial infections (NIs), which result in poor outcomes and are challenging to predict using clinical variables alone. Our aim was to determine predictors of NI using admission serum metabolomics and gut microbiota in inpatients with cirrhosis. In this multicenter inpatient cirrhosis study, serum was collected on admission for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry metabolomics, and a subset provided stool for 16SrRNA analysis. Hospital course, including NI development and death, were analyzed. Metabolomic analysis using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) (demographics, Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease [MELD] admission score, white blood count [WBC], rifaximin, and infection status adjusted) and random forest analyses for NI development were performed. Additional values of serum metabolites over clinical variables toward NI were evaluated using logistic regression. Stool microbiota and metabolomic correlations were compared in patients with and without NI development. A total of 602 patients (231 infection admissions) were included; 101 (17%) developed NIs, which resulted in worse inpatient outcomes, including intensive care unit transfer, organ failure, and death. A total of 127 patients also gave stool samples, and 20 of these patients developed NIs. The most common NIs were spontaneous bacterial peritonitis followed by urinary tract infection, Clostridioides difficile, and pneumonia. A total of 247 metabolites were significantly altered on ANCOVA. Higher MELD scores (odds ratio, 1.05; p < 0.0001), admission infection (odds ratio, 3.54; p < 0.0001), and admission WBC (odds ratio, 1.05; p = 0.04) predicted NI (area under the curve, 0.74), which increased to 0.77 (p = 0.05) with lower 1‐linolenoyl‐glycerolphosphocholine (GPC) and 1‐stearoyl‐GPC and higher N‐acetyltryptophan and N‐acetyl isoputreanine. Commensal microbiota were lower and pathobionts were higher in those who developed NIs. Microbial–metabolite correlation networks were complex and dense in patients with NIs, especially sub‐networks centered on Ruminococcaceae and Pseudomonadaceae. NIs are common and associated with poor outcomes in cirrhosis. Admission gut microbiota in patients with NIs showed higher pathobionts and lower commensal microbiota. Microbial–metabolomic correlations were more complex, dense, and homogeneous among those who developed NIs, indicating greater linkage strength. Serum metabolites and gut microbiota on admission are associated with NI development in cirrhosis.

Nosocomial infections (NIs) in critically ill patients with cirrhosis result in higher death and transplant delisting. NIs are promoted by staff, visitors, and the environment, all of which were altered to reduce pathogen transmission after COVID-19. Two cohorts of intensive care unit patients with cirrhosis from March 2019 to February 2020 (pre-COVID, n = 234) and March 2020 to March 2021 (COVID era, n = 296) were included. We found that despite a higher admission MELD-Na, qSOFA, and WBC count and requiring a longer intensive care unit stay, COVID-era patients developed lower NIs (3% vs 10%, P < 0.001) and had higher liver transplant rates vs pre-COVID patients. COVID-era restrictions could reduce NIs in critically ill patients with cirrhosis.

Abstract Introduction: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is characterized by hypoxemia, portal hypertension, and intrapulmonary shunting and manifests as dyspnea. The portal hypertension may be a result of cirrhosis or non-cirrhotic causes such as nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver that is associated with drug therapy. Progressive hypoxemia often occurs despite stable liver function. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1; KADCYLA) is an antibody-drug conjugate comprised of a humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab covalently linked to the cytotoxic agent maytansine. T-DM1 is prescribed in the postneoadjuvant setting in persons with residual invasive HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) as well as in persons with metastatic HER2+ BC who were previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane. Liver toxicities including an asymptomatic, transient increase in transaminases and nodular regenerative hyperplasia that results in portal hypertension have been described; however, HPS secondary to noncirrhotic portal hypertension occurring with long-term exposure to T-DM1 has not been reported. We have identified patients (pts) with this infrequent, yet serious complication, and we aim to better characterize their clinical course to guide earlier detection and hopefully prevent irreversible hypoxic respiratory failure. Methods: Institutional search tools were utilized to identify pts at Mayo Clinic with HER2+ BC treated with T-DM1 in either the postneoadjuvant or metastatic setting. Electronic health records were manually reviewed for HPS criteria including 1) hypoxemia 2) portal hypertension and 3) intrapulmonary shunt/vasodilation confirmed by contrast echocardiogram or macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scan. For pts meeting criteria for HPS, imaging was independently reviewed by a hepatologist to determine whether there was preexisting liver disease or if changes occurred after initiation of T-DM1. Results: We identified 259 pts with HER2+ BC treated with T-DM1 in the postneoadjuvant (n=70) or metastatic setting (n=185). Four pts met criteria for HPS (1.5%) while receiving T-DM1 for metastatic disease (Table 1; listed in chronological order of onset of HPS). Median age was 43 (range 35 - 53 years), median prior lines of treatment was 1.5 (range 0 - 7), and the median number of cycles of T-DM1 prior to discontinuation was 68.5 (range 51 - 90). All pts had evidence of left atrial enlargement on echocardiogram, and evidence of portal hypertension as determined by the presence of varices, and splenomegaly. Three pts had documented telangiectasias as well as Grade 1-2 elevations in serum transaminases and bilirubin. Elevations in hemoglobin were noted in 2 pts during treatment with T-DM1. All pts had a confirmed intrapulmonary shunt via contrast echocardiogram and a lung perfusion scan. Three pts discontinued T-DM1 after diagnosis of HPS and experienced some clinical improvement in hypoxia. One pt died two months after stopping T-DM1 due to progression of BC. Conclusion: HPS may occur in the setting of prolonged exposure to T-DM1 and can be associated with severe hypoxic respiratory failure. Further data are required to characterize the spectrum of liver injury that occurs with long-term use of T-DM1 to provide further guidance to clinicians as regards monitoring for these adverse effects. Patients who developed hepatopulmonary syndrome while on T-DM1Age, yrsSites of metastases# lines of prior txCycles of T-DM1Presenting sign or symptomsNon-contrast ECHO findingsSupplemental oxygenTransaminitis; hyperbilirubinemiaEvidence of portal hypertensionTelangiectasiasHgb prior to T-DM1Hgb end of txLung perfusion studyContrast ECHOPt 153LN, bone090DOE, hypoxemia, clubbingleft atrial enlargement (62 mg/m2)YesNovarices, splenomegalyNot documented12.9 g/dL10.7 g/dL13.5%Yes, small shuntPt 235LN, bone, liver751DOEleft atrial enlargement (54 mg/m2)YesGrade 1; Grade 2varices, splenomegaly; thrombocytopeniaYes, face and handsn/a11.9 g/dL24%Yes, large shuntPt 338LN, bone251Hyperbilirubinemiaborderline left atrial enlargementYesGrade 1; Grade 2varices, splenomegalyYes, trunk, extremities, face11.7 g/dL16.2 g/dL17.8%Yes, moderate shuntPt 448LN, liver186DOEleft atrial enlargement (49 mg/m2)NoGrade 1; Grade 2varices, splenomegalyYes, trunk12.5 g/dL16.1 g/dL7.9%Yes, large shunt Citation Format: Ally Higgins, Adham K Alkurashi, Patrick S Kamath, Vivek N Iyer, Ciara O'Sullivan, Tufia C Haddad. Hepatopulmonary syndrome with long term use of ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-18-03.

AbstractBackgroundNodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) is a rare condition characterized clinically by the development of non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension. NRH is the histopathological result in the liver of various systemic disease processes including autoimmune disorders, haematological malignancies and medications. However, natural history of this condition has been limited to small case series while patient outcomes pertaining to different aetiologies of NRH are largely unknown.MethodsA retrospective cohort of consecutive patients diagnosed with pathology‐confirmed NRH at Mayo Clinic between 2002 and 2017 was identified. The histological diagnosis of NRH was determined by expert liver pathologists. Patients with metastatic liver disease, history of liver transplantation or younger than 18 were excluded. Potential aetiologies of NRH were classified as haematological, rheumatological, drug‐associated, miscellaneous or idiopathic. Long‐term mortality was analysed using Kaplan‐Meier estimation and Cox regression models.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐seven consecutive patients with pathology‐confirmed NRH were analysed over a 15‐year period and followed for a median time of 50 months (1–306 months). The mean age at diagnosis was 53 years. No aetiology or risk factor for NRH was identified in the majority of patients (94, 56.3%), whereas an associated, possibly causal, condition was found in 73 patients (secondary NRH). The most common presenting feature was elevated liver tests (80%), but no significant differences in laboratory tests were seen based on aetiology of NRH. Compared to idiopathic NRH, those with an identified cause had a higher rate of splenomegaly at presentation (54% vs. 27%, p = 0.002). Portal hypertension‐related complications at diagnosis were common, with ascites present in one‐third of patients. Overall transplant‐free survival was 63% at 5 years. Median survival in idiopathic NRH was 9.4 years compared to 7.3 years in secondary NRH. Age, renal function and volume status at presentation were significantly associated with survival; however, MELD score was not.ConclusionsThe rates of liver‐related complications and mortality in NRH are low, and only a small number of patients ultimately require liver transplantation. Most patients do not have an identified risk factor or aetiology for NRH, and liver‐related outcomes do not appear to differ based on associated, possibly causal, conditions.