Liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease with or without hepatitis C

Int J Surg Pathol. 2002 Apr;10(2):115-22. doi: 10.1177/106689690201000204.

Abstract

Alcoholic cirrhosis with or without hepatitis C is a common indication for liver transplantation (LT). Comparative post-LT data for the 2 groups are not available. Our aim is to compare the clinicopathologic features of patients with alcoholic liver disease (ETOH) and ETOH/HCV at the time of and after LT and to determine the impact of concomitant hepatitis C virus (HCV) on ETOH patients undergoing LT. A comparative clinical and pathologic analysis at LT and after LT was performed for 56 patients with ETOH and 32 patients with ETOH/HCV. All 88 had cirrhosis at LT. Other native liver features for ETOH and ETOH/HCV, respectively, were: >2+ inflammation 50/56 and 26/32, Mallory's hyalin 12/56 and 6/32, steatosis 9/56 and 7/32, large cell dysplasia 12/56 and 6/32, hepatoma 4/56 and 4/32, iron deposition 24/56 and 12/32; none was statistically significant. The post-LT findings for ETOH and ETOH/HCV were as follows: 1-year survival 93% and 97%; alive 36/56 (419-4,348 days) and 27/32 (488-5,516 days); deaths 20/56 and 5/32; ETOH recurrence 5/56 (all alive) and 3/32 (1 dead); post-LT HCV 4/56 (acquired) and 22/32 (recurrent). Native liver histology in ETOH and ETOH/HCV patients was similar. Post-LT HCV recurrence was common (69%) in ETOH/HCV patients but resulted in death in only 6%. Post-LT ETOH recurrence was uncommon (9%) and progression to liver failure was rare (1.1%). Post-LT outcome for ETOH was excellent, and concomitant HCV did not affect survival.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Hepatitis C / surgery*
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / analysis
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / mortality
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / surgery*
  • Liver Failure / complications
  • Liver Failure / mortality
  • Liver Failure / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Postoperative Complications
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Survival Analysis
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral