Radiologic Characterization of Ischemic Cholangiopathy in Donation-After-Cardiac-Death Liver Transplants and Correlation With Clinical Outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to define the cholangiographic patterns of ischemic cholangiopathy and clinically silent nonanastomotic biliary strictures in donation-after-cardiac-death (DCD) liver grafts in a large single-institution series. We also examined the correlation of the radiologic findings with laboratory data and clinical outcomes.


METHODS
Data were collected for all DCD liver transplants at one institution from December 1998 to December 2011. Posttransplant cholangiograms were obtained during postoperative weeks 1 and 3 and when clinically indicated. Intrahepatic biliary strictures were classified by anatomic distribution and chronologic development. Radiologic findings were correlated with laboratory data and with 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft and patient survival rates.


RESULTS
A total of 231 patients received DCD grafts. Cholangiograms were available for 184 of these patients. Postoperative cholangiographic findings were correlated with clinical data and divided into the following three groups: A, normal cholangiographic findings with normal laboratory values; B, radiologic abnormalities and cholangiopathy according to laboratory values; and C, radiologic abnormalities without laboratory abnormalities. Group B had four distinct abnormal cholangiographic patterns that were predictive of graft survival. Group C had mild nonprogressive multifocal stenoses and decreased graft and patient survival rates, although cholangiopathy was not detected in these patients according to laboratory data.


CONCLUSIONS
Patterns and severity of nonanastomotic biliary abnormalities in DCD liver transplants can be defined radiologically and correlate with clinical outcomes. Postoperative cholangiography can depict the mild biliary abnormalities that occur in a subclinical manner yet cause a marked decrease in graft and patient survival rates in DCD liver transplants.
1 Zia Diagnostic Imaging, Lovelace Medical Center, 8020 Constitution Pl NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.
Kirk J
KJ
Giesbrandt
2 Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.
Ilynn G
IG
Bulatao
2 Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.
Andrew P
AP
Keaveny
2 Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.
Justin H
JH
Nguyen
1 Zia Diagnostic Imaging, Lovelace Medical Center, 8020 Constitution Pl NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.
Ricardo
R
Paz-Fumagalli
2 Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.
C Burcin
CB
Taner
D000368:Aged; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002758:Cholangiography; D003287:Contrast Media; D003643:Death; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol
biliary strictures; cholangiopathy; donation after cardiac death; liver transplant