Impact of the acuity circle model for liver allocation on multivisceral transplant candidates
Recommended Citation
Ivanics T, Vianna R, Kubal CA, Iyer KR, Mazariegos GV, Matsumoto CS, Mangus R, Beduschi T, Abouljoud M, Fridell JA, and Nagai S. Impact of the acuity circle model for liver allocation on multivisceral transplant candidates. Am J Transplant 2021.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-17-2021
Publication Title
American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons
Abstract
Liver allocation was updated on February 4, 2020, replacing a Donor Service Area (DSA) with acuity circles (AC). The impact on waitlist outcomes for patients listed for combined liver-intestine transplantation (multivisceral transplantation [MVT]) remains unknown. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database was used to identify all candidates listed for both liver and intestine between January 1, 2018 and March 5, 2021. Two eras were defined: pre-AC (2018-2020) and post-AC (2020-2021). Outcomes included 90-day waitlist mortality and transplant probability. A total of 127 adult and 104 pediatric MVT listings were identified. In adults, the 90-day waitlist mortality was not statistically significantly different, but transplant probability was lower post-AC. After risk-adjustment, post-AC was associated with a higher albeit not statistically significantly different mortality hazard (sub-distribution hazard ratio[sHR]: 8.45, 95% CI: 0.96-74.05; p = .054), but a significantly lower transplant probability (sHR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.15-0.75; p = .008). For pediatric patients, waitlist mortality and transplant probability were similar between eras. The proportion of patients who underwent transplant with exception points was lower post-AC both in adult (44% to 9%; p = .04) and pediatric recipients (65% to 15%; p = .002). A lower transplant probability observed in adults listed for MVT may ultimately result in increased waitlist mortality. Efforts should be taken to ensure equitable organ allocation in this vulnerable patient population.
Medical Subject Headings
Transplant and Abdominal Surgery
PubMed ID
34403552
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
