Liver Transplantation for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelet Count Syndrome: A Propensity-score Matched Long-term Survival of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Dataset

Abstract

Background: Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is a life-threatening form of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, with liver transplantation being the life-saving option for treatment for those who develop severe hepatic complications.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) through October 1, 1987, to December 31, 2014. Forty patients were listed for liver transplantation, with 18 patients finally receiving their transplant. These 18 patients were matched with 1:10 patients using a propensity-score matched approach.

Results: Baseline demographics were comparable between HELLP syndrome patients who received a transplant and those who did not. The 10-year intent-to-treat survival was 63.6% for non-transplanted HELLP patients, 64.2% for transplanted HELLP patients, and 61.8% for matched patients (P = .369). Overall survival was also similar between HELLP patients and matched patients, with 10-year survival at 64.2% and 61.8% respectively (P = .985). However, death-censored graft survival was inferior in HELLP patients, with 10-year survival at 63.4% compared with 75.4% in the matched patients (P = .044).

Conclusions: Patients with HELLP syndrome who did not receive a transplant achieved similar intent-to-treat survival with those transplanted patients, while the death-censored graft survival of transplanted patients was inferior to matched patients. This might guide improved liver donor allocation in clinical practice.