Model for end-stage liver disease score-based allocation of donors for liver transplantation: a spanish multicenter experience.
BACKGROUND
Prioritizing the liver transplant waiting list (WL) is subject to great variability. We present the experience of four transplant centers in Andalusia (Southern Spain) with a new consensus model of WL management based on the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.


METHODS
The initial criteria for local prioritizing were: a) cirrhosis with MELD score > or =24, and b) all hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) admitted to the WL. Fourteen months later new criteria were established: a) cirrhosis with MELD score > or =18, and b) uninodular HCC between 3-5 cm or multinodular HCC (2-3 nodules <3 cm). Access to regional priority was scheduled after three months for patients with cirrhosis or six months for patients with HCC. We analyzed the WL mortality rate, posttransplant survival rate, and overall survival rate over three 14-month periods: A (before implementation of priority criteria), B (initial criteria), and C (current criteria).


RESULTS
Priority was given to 36% of recipients in period B and 47% in period C. The WL mortality rate (including removals from WL) was 12.9%, 12.9%, and 10.7% in periods A, B, and C, respectively. One-year graft survival was 79.7%, 72.6%, and 81.2% in the same periods. The overall one-year survival rate for new cases on the WL was 74.9% in period A, 68.6% in period B, and 82.2% in period C.


CONCLUSIONS
The allocation system and WL management with the current criteria resulted in lower waiting list mortality without reducing posttransplant survival, leading to better survival for all patients listed.
de la Mata
Manuel
M
Liver Transplant Unit, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain. 2Andalusian Transplant Coordinating Office, Sevilla, Spain. med015511@saludalia.com
Cuende
Natividad
N
Huet
Jesús
J
Bernardos
Angel
A
Ferrón
Jose Antonio
JA
Santoyo
Julio
J
Pascasio
Juan Manuel
JM
Rodrigo
Juan
J
Solórzano
Guillermo
G
Martín-Vivaldi
Rafael
R
Alonso
Manuel
M
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D013030:Spain; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000379:methods*; D014850:Waiting Lists