Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research  2016;90(1):36-42

doi:10.4174/astr.2016.90.1.36

Outcomes for patients with HCV after liver transplantation in Korea: a multicenter study.

Jong Man KIM 1 ; Kwang Woong LEE ; Gi Won SONG ; Bo Hyun JUNG ; Hae Won LEE ; Nam Joon YI ; Choon Hyuck David KWON ; Shin HWANG ; Kyung Suk SUH ; Jae Won JOH ; Suk Koo LEE ; Sung Gyu LEE

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

Hepatitis C virus; Tacrolimus; Acute rejection; Survival; Antiviral treatments

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

PURPOSE: HCV-related liver disease is the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) in Western countries, whereas HCV LT is rare in Korea. We conducted a survey of HCV RNA-positive patients who underwent LT and investigated the prognostic factors for patient survival and the effects of immunosuppression. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the multicenter records of 192 HCV RNA-positive patients who underwent LT. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 78.8%, 75.3%, and 73.1%, respectively. Excluding the cases of hospital mortality (n = 23), 169 patients were evaluated for patient survival. Most patients were genotype 1 (n = 111, 65.7%) or genotype 2 (n = 42, 24.9%). The proportion of living donors for LT (n = 135, 79.9%) was higher than that of deceased donors (deceased donor liver transplantation [DDLT], n = 34, 20.1%). The median donor and recipient ages were 32 years and 56 years, respectively. Twenty-eight patients (16.6%) died during the observation period. Seventy-five patients underwent universal prophylaxis and 15 received preemptive therapy. HCV recurrence was detected in 97 patients. Recipients who were older than 60, received DDLT, used cyclosporine, or suffered acute rejection had lower rates of survival. CONCLUSION: Patent survival rates of HCV patients after LT in Korea were comparable with other countries.