ABO‐incompatible liver transplantation for severe hepatitis B patients. (17th February 2015) - Zhou, Jian
Summary Effect of ABO‐incompatible liver transplantation on patients with severe hepatitis B (SHB) remains unclear. Herein, we summarized 22 cases with SHB in whom were performed emergency liver transplantation from ABO‐incompatible donors. The immunosuppressive protocol consisted basiliximab, tacrolimus, steroids and mycophenolate mofetil. The mean MELD score was 35.2 ± 7.1. Major complications included rejection, infections, biliary complications, hepatic artery thrombosis or stenosis and portal vein thrombosis. Patient survival rates were 40.9%, 78.9% and 82.3% in 1 year, 29.2%, 66.8% and 72.9% in 3 years, and 21.9%, 60.1% and 62.5% in 5 years for ABO‐incompatible, ABO‐compatible and ABO‐identical groups. Graft survival rates were 39%, 78.9% and 82.3% in 1 year, 27.8%, 66.4% and 71.1% in 3 years, and 20.9%, 57.9% and 61.0% in 5 years for incompatible, compatible and identical ABO graft‐recipient match. The 1‐, 3‐, 5‐year graft and patient survival rates of ABO‐incompatible were distinctly lower than that of ABO‐compatible group (P < 0.05). Our results suggested that ABO‐incompatible liver transplantation might be a life‐saving procedure for patients with SHB as a promising alternative operation when ABO‐compatible donors are not available and at least bridges the second opportunity for liver retransplantation.