FibroScan Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis in Liver Transplantation

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 1044 - 1046
• Main Authors: Sánchez Antolin, G, Garcia Pajares, F, Vallecillo, M.A, Fernandez Orcajo, P, Gómez de la Cuesta, S, Alcaide, No, Gonzalez Sagrado, M, Velicia, R, Caro-Patón, A
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.04.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Body Mass Index; Elasticity Imaging Techniques - methods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis - diagnosis; Liver Cirrhosis - pathology; Liver Transplantation - adverse effects; Liver, biliary tract, pancreas, portal circulation, spleen; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Medical sciences; Obesity - epidemiology; Obesity - pathology; Other diseases. Semiology; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the digestive system; Tissue, organ and graft immunology; Weight Gain; Hepatic fibrosis; Evaluation; Digestive system; Liver; Hepatic disease; Homotransplantation; Medicine; Treatment; Transient elastography; Surgery; Medical imagery; Digestive diseases; Graft; Liver transplantation
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.02.027

Abstract Introduction Liver biopsy remains the gold standard to evaluate fibrosis. However, it is invasive and uncomfortable as well as associated with complications. Transient elastography (FibroScan) is a simple and noninvasive method to assess liver fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness in kilopascals. Body mass index (BMI) greater than 28 is associated with high rates of invalid tests. Liver transplant patients show increased rates of obesity. We do not yet have many data about the usefulness of FibroScan in liver transplantation. Aims To analyze the applicability of FibroScan to assess fibrosis in liver transplantation and study the association between obesity and valid tests. Material and Methods We prospectively assessed the performance of transient elastography in 29 liver transplant patients from February to May 2008. We prospectively studied the success rate, the elasticity (stiffness) in kilopascals, and the BMI. Results The BMI was greater than 30 kg/m2 in four patients; 25 to 30 kg/m2 in eight; and 17 had BMI < 25 kg/m2 . The overall success of FibroScan was 24/29 (82.7%). However, among patients with BMI > 30 kg/m2 , it was 2/4 (50%), whereas for BMI <25 kg/m2 it climbed to 100%. The average duration of the procedure was 211.52 seconds for BMI <25 kg/m2 ; 236 seconds for BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m2 ; and 361 seconds in patients with a BMI > 30 kg/m2 —differences that were statistically significant. Conclusions FibroScan seemed to be a promising approach to assess liver fibrosis.BMI is a limiting factor toward achieving a valid test; FibroScan had limited usefulness in obese patients.