Clinical value and safety of liver biopsies in patients transplanted for hepatitis C virus-related end-stage liver disease

摘要: Background Hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplantation. Differentiation between recurrent graft hepatitis (RGH-C) and rejection (GR) challenging. Liver biopsy standard to diagnose both conditions; however, little information available regarding this procedure in virus (HCV)-infected transplant recipients. Methods Liver biopsies (n = 211) from all consecutive patients (n = 138) transplanted at Hannover Medical School January 2000 October 2011 were screened, a final cohort of 96 with 196 was included. Indications, histopathological findings, biopsy-related complications documented. Modifications treatment based on result biochemical outcome analyzed. Results Most (196/211, 93%) representative. Five (2.5%) developed non-fatal complications. Biopsy results GR (35%), RGH-C (31%), other diagnoses (34%). independently associated lower albumin (P = 0.025) higher bilirubin levels (P = 0.011). Treatment modified 25% cases. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), improved 41%, 25%, 31% cases 4 weeks post respectively. ALT improvements more significant than those RGH-C. Conclusion Liver HCV-infected recipients safe representative >90% levels.