BACKGROUND & AIMS: An optimal allocation system for scarce resources should simultaneously ensure maximal utility, but also equity. The most frequent principles for allocation policies in liver transplantation are therefore criteria that rely on pre-transplant survival (sickest first policy), post-transplant survival (utility), or on their combination (benefit). However, large differences exist between centers and countries for ethical and legislative reasons. The aim of this study was to report the current worldwide practice of liver graft allocation and discuss respective advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: Countries around the world that perform 95 or more deceased donor liver transplantations per year were analyzed for donation and allocation policies, as well as recipient characteristics. RESULTS: Most countries use the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, or variations of it, for organ allocation, while some countries opt for center-based allocation systems based on their specific requirements, and some countries combine both a MELD and center-based approach. Both the MELD and center-specific allocation systems have inherent limitations. For example, most countries or allocation systems address the limitations of the MELD system by adding extra points to recipient's laboratory scores based on clinical information. It is also clear from this study that cancer, as an indication for liver transplantation, requires special attention. CONCLUSION: The sickest first policy is the most reasonable basis for the allocation of liver grafts. While MELD is currently the standard for this model, many adjustments were implemented in most countries. A future globally applicable strategy should combine donor and recipient factors, predicting probability of death on the waiting list, post-transplant survival and morbidity, and perhaps costs. LAY SUMMARY: An optimal allocation system for scarce resources should simultaneously ensure maximal utility, but also equity. While the model for end-stage liver disease is currently the standard for this model, many adjustments were implemented in most countries. A future globally applicable strategy should combine donor and recipient factors predicting probability of death on the waiting list, post-transplant survival and morbidity, and perhaps costs.

• Klíčová slova
• Allocation, ELTR, Liver transplantation, MELD, Organ donation, UNOS,
• MeSH
• alokace zdrojů * etika   zákonodárství a právo   organizace a řízení   MeSH
• celosvětové zdraví statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• dárci tkání zásobování a distribuce   MeSH
• konečné stadium selhání jater chirurgie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• odhad potřeb MeSH
• přežívání štěpu MeSH
• transplantace jater * metody   normy   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• výběr pacientů * MeSH
• využití postupů a technik normy   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• získávání tkání a orgánů metody   organizace a řízení   zásobování a distribuce   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The aim of this study was to analyze longterm patient and graft survival after liver transplantation for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH-LT) from the prospective multicenter European Liver Transplant Registry. Patient and liver graft survival between 1998 and 2017 were analyzed. Patients after AIH-LT (n = 2515) were compared with patients receiving LT for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC-LT; n = 3733), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC-LT; n = 5155), and alcohol-related cirrhosis (AC-LT; n = 19,567). After AIH-LT, patient survival was 79.4%, 70.8%, and 60.3% and graft survival was 73.2%, 63.4%, and 50.9% after 5, 10, and 15 years of follow-up. Overall patient survival was similar to patients after AC-LT (P = 0.44), but worse than after PBC-LT (hazard ratio [HR], 1.48; P < 0.001) and PSC-LT (HR, 1.19; P = 0.002). AIH-LT patients were at increased risk for death (HR, 1.37-1.84; P < 0.001) and graft loss (HR, 1.35-1.80; P < 0.001) from infections compared with all other groups and had a particularly increased risk for lethal fungal infections (HR, 3.38-4.20; P ≤ 0.004). Excluding patients who died within 90 days after LT, risk of death after AIH-LT was superior compared with AC-LT (HR, 0.84; P = 0.004), worse compared with PBC-LT (HR, 1.38; P < 0.001) and similar compared with PSC-LT (P = 0.93). Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) patients with living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) showed reduced survival compared with patients receiving donation after brain death (HR, 1.96; P < 0.001). In AIH-LT patients, overall survival is inferior to PBC-LT and PSC-LT. The high risk of death after AIH-LT is caused mainly by early fatal infections, including fungal infections. Patients with LDLT for AIH show reduced survival.

• MeSH
• autoimunitní hepatitida * epidemiologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• biliární cirhóza * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• sklerozující cholangitida * chirurgie   MeSH
• transplantace jater * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• žijící dárci MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Liver transplantation (LT) is a rescue therapy for life-threatening complications of Wilson's disease (WD). However, data on the outcome of WD patients after LT are scarce. The aim of our study was to analyze a large pediatric WD cohort with the aim of investigating the longterm outcome of pediatric WD patients after LT and to identify predictive factors for patient and transplant survival. This is a retrospective cohort study using data of all children (<18 years) transplanted for WD enrolled in the European Liver Transplant Registry from January 1968 until December 2013. In total, 338 patients (57.6% female) transplanted at 80 different European centers (1-26 patients per center) were included in this study. The median age at transplantation was 14.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 11.2-16.1 years); patients were followed up for a median of 5.4 years (IQR, 1.0-10.9 years) after LT. Overall patient survival rates were high with 87% (1-year survival), 84% (5-year survival), and 81% (10-year survival); survival rates increased considerably with the calendar year (P < 0.001). Early age at LT, living donation, and histidine tryptophan ketoglutarate preservation liquid were identified as risk factors for poor patient survival in the multivariate analysis. LT is an excellent treatment option for pediatric patients with WD and associated end-stage liver disease. Longterm outcome in these patients is similar to other pediatric causes for LT. Overall patient and graft survival rates improved considerably over the last decades. To improve future research in the field, the vast variability of allocation strategies should be harmonized and a generally accepted definition or discrimination of acute versus chronic WD needs to be found.

• MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• disparity zdravotní péče MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• hepatolentikulární degenerace diagnóza   mortalita   chirurgie   MeSH
• konečné stadium selhání jater diagnóza   mortalita   chirurgie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• příčina smrti MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• transplantace jater * škodlivé účinky   mortalita   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH

Knowledge of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) is scarce. This study analyzed survival in LDLT recipients registered in the European Liver Transplant Registry with autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and the non-autoimmune disorder alcohol-related cirrhosis. In total, 29 902 individuals enrolled between 1998 and 2017 were analyzed, including 1003 with LDLT. Survival from >90 days after LDLT for AILDs in adults was 85.5%, 74.2%, and 58.0% after 5, 10, and 15 years. Adjusted for recipient age, sex, and liver transplantation era, adult PSC patients receiving LDLT showed increased mortality compared to donation after brain death (DBD) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36-2.80, p < .001). Pediatric PSC patients showed also increased mortality >90 days after LDLT compared to DBD (HR = 3.00, 95% CI 1.04-8.70, p = .043). Multivariate analysis identified several risk factors for death in adult PSC patients receiving LDLT including a male donor (HR = 2.49, p = .025). Adult PSC patients with LDLT versus DBD conferred increased mortality from disease recurrence (subdistribution hazard ratio [subHR] = 5.36, p = .001) and biliary complications (subHR = 4.40, p = .006) in multivariate analysis. While long-term outcome following LDLT for AILD is generally favorable, PSC patients with LDLT compared to DBD might be at increased risk of death.

• Klíčová slova
• clinical research/practice, graft survival, liver disease: immune/inflammatory, liver transplantation/hepatology, liver transplantation: living donor, patient survival,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mozková smrt MeSH
• nemoci jater * etiologie   MeSH
• přežívání štěpu MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• transplantace jater * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• žijící dárci MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Little is known about outcomes of liver transplantation for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We aimed to determine the frequency and outcomes of liver transplantation for patients with NASH in Europe and identify prognostic factors. METHODS: We analysed data from patients transplanted for end-stage liver disease between January 2002 and December 2016 using the European Liver Transplant Registry database. We compared data between patients with NASH versus other aetiologies. The principle endpoints were patient and overall allograft survival. RESULTS: Among 68,950 adults undergoing first liver transplantation, 4.0% were transplanted for NASH - an increase from 1.2% in 2002 to 8.4% in 2016. A greater proportion of patients transplanted for NASH (39.1%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than non-NASH patients (28.9%, p <0.001). NASH was not significantly associated with survival of patients (hazard ratio [HR] 1.02, p = 0.713) or grafts (HR 0.99; p = 0.815) after accounting for available recipient and donor variables. Infection (24.0%) and cardio/cerebrovascular complications (5.3%) were the commonest causes of death in patients with NASH without HCC. Increasing recipient age (61-65 years: HR 2.07, p <0.001; >65: HR 1.72, p = 0.017), elevated model for end-stage liver disease score (>23: HR 1.48, p = 0.048) and low (<18.5 kg/m2: HR 4.29, p = 0.048) or high (>40 kg/m2: HR 1.96, p = 0.012) recipient body mass index independently predicted death in patients transplanted for NASH without HCC. Data must be interpreted in the context of absent recognised confounders, such as pre-morbid metabolic risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The number and proportion of liver transplants performed for NASH in Europe has increased from 2002 through 2016. HCC was more common in patients transplanted with NASH. Survival of patients and grafts in patients with NASH is comparable to that of other disease indications. LAY SUMMARY: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has increased dramatically in parallel with the worldwide increase in obesity and diabetes. Its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, is a growing indication for liver transplantation in Europe, with good overall outcomes reported. However, careful risk factor assessment is required to maintain favourable post-transplant outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

• Klíčová slova
• Aetiology, ELTR database, Long-term follow-up, NAFLD, NASH, Prognosis,
• MeSH
• dárci tkání MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hepatocelulární karcinom komplikace   mortalita   MeSH
• index tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
• konečné stadium selhání jater chirurgie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory jater komplikace   mortalita   MeSH
• nealkoholová steatóza jater komplikace   mortalita   chirurgie   MeSH
• přežívání štěpu * MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• transplantace jater škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

Liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) can be complicated by recurrence of PSC (rPSC). This may compromise graft survival but the effect on patient survival is less clear. We investigated the effect of post-transplant rPSC on graft and patient survival in a large European cohort. Registry data from the European Liver Transplant Registry regarding all first transplants for PSC between 1980 and 2015 were supplemented with detailed data on rPSC from 48 out of 138 contributing transplant centres, involving 1,549 patients. Bayesian proportional hazards models were used to investigate the impact of rPSC and other covariates on patient and graft survival. Recurrence of PSC was diagnosed in 259 patients (16.7%) after a median follow-up of 5.0 years (quantile 2.5%-97.5%: 0.4-18.5), with a significant negative impact on both graft (HR 6.7; 95% CI 4.9-9.1) and patient survival (HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.5-3.3). Patients with rPSC underwent significantly more re-transplants than those without rPSC (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.7-4.8). PSC recurrence has a negative impact on both graft and patient survival, independent of transplant-related covariates. Recurrence of PSC leads to higher number of re-transplantations and a 33% decrease in 10-year graft survival.

• Klíčová slova
• bayesian statistics, disease recurrence, liver transplantation, patient and graft survival, primary sclerosing cholangitis,
• MeSH
• Bayesova věta MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• recidiva MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• sklerozující cholangitida * chirurgie   MeSH
• transplantace jater * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Over 16 000 children under the age of 15 died worldwide in 2017 because of liver disease. Pediatric liver transplantation (PLT) is currently the standard of care for these patients. The aim of this study is to describe global PLT activity and identify variations between regions. METHODS: A survey was conducted from May 2018 to August 2019 to determine the current state of PLT. Transplant centers were categorized into quintile categories according to the year they performed their first PLT. Countries were classified according to gross national income per capita. RESULTS: One hundred eight programs from 38 countries were included (68% response rate). 10 619 PLTs were performed within the last 5 y. High-income countries performed 4992 (46.4%) PLT, followed by upper-middle- (4704 [44·3%]) and lower-middle (993 [9·4%])-income countries. The most frequently used type of grafts worldwide are living donor grafts. A higher proportion of lower-middle-income countries (68·7%) performed ≥25 living donor liver transplants over the last 5 y compared to high-income countries (36%; P = 0.019). A greater proportion of programs from high-income countries have performed ≥25 whole liver transplants (52.4% versus 6.2%; P = 0.001) and ≥25 split/reduced liver transplants (53.2% versus 6.2%; P < 0.001) compared to lower-middle-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents, to our knowledge, the most geographically comprehensive report on PLT activity and a first step toward global collaboration and data sharing for the greater good of children with liver disease; it is imperative that these centers share the lead in PLT.

• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci jater * MeSH
• sčítání lidu MeSH
• smrt MeSH
• transplantace jater * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• žijící dárci MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Liver function tests are among the most determined biochemical parameters, and it is essential that their interpretation is always performed correctly. The presence of liver disease is indicated not only by the well-known basic panel of liver function tests (bilirubin, ALT, AST, GGT and ALP), but also by other biochemical parameters, especially albumin, INR and platelet count. The latter analytes are often overlooked, as is the fact that normal values in the baseline liver test panel do not yet rule out advanced chronic liver disease - liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. In contrast, high levels of liver function tests do not automatically indicate liver failure. Considering the increasing incidence of liver disease as well as the rising mortality from liver causes in many European countries, it is desirable to update the diagnostic algorithm when pathological liver function tests are detected.

• Klíčová slova
• Liver function tests, differential diagnosis, liver,
• MeSH
• bilirubin MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• jaterní cirhóza * MeSH
• jaterní testy MeSH
• játra patologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci jater * komplikace   diagnóza   patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• bilirubin MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH

The purpose of this registry study was to provide an overview of trends and results of liver transplantation (LT) in Europe from 1968 to 2016. These data on LT were collected prospectively from 169 centers from 32 countries, in the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) beginning in 1968. This overview provides epidemiological data, as well as information on evolution of techniques, and outcomes in LT in Europe over more than five decades; something that cannot be obtained from only a single center experience.

• Klíčová slova
• liver transplantation, outcome, registry,
• MeSH
• čas zasáhnout při rozvinutí nemoci MeSH
• dárci tkání MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• nádory jater chirurgie   MeSH
• nemoci jater chirurgie   MeSH
• přežívání štěpu MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• registrace * MeSH
• reoperace MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• transplantace jater statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• zeměpis MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH

The search for non-invasive, fast, and low-cost diagnostic tools has gained significant traction among many researchers worldwide. Dielectric properties calculated from microwave signals offer unique insights into biological tissue. Material properties, such as relative permittivity (εr) and conductivity (σ), can vary significantly between healthy and unhealthy tissue types at a given frequency. Understanding this difference in properties is key for identifying the disease state. The frequency-dependent nature of the dielectric measurements results in large datasets, which can be postprocessed using artificial intelligence (AI) methods. In this work, the dielectric properties of liver tissues in three mouse models of liver disease are characterized using dielectric spectroscopy. The measurements are grouped into four categories based on the diets or disease state of the mice, i.e., healthy mice, mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) induced by choline-deficient high-fat diet, mice with NASH induced by western diet, and mice with liver fibrosis. Multi-class classification machine learning (ML) models are then explored to differentiate the liver tissue groups based on dielectric measurements. The results show that the support vector machine (SVM) model was able to differentiate the tissue groups with an accuracy up to 90%. This technology pipeline, thus, shows great potential for developing the next generation non-invasive diagnostic tools.

• Klíčová slova
• dielectric spectroscopy, fibrosis, machine learning, microwave, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, relative permittivity,
• MeSH
• jaterní cirhóza MeSH
• játra patologie   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nealkoholová steatóza jater * diagnóza   patologie   MeSH
• strojové učení MeSH
• umělá inteligence MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH