Analysis of survival after primary liver transplantation: multivariate analysis of 155 cases in a single center

Liver transplantation is known as a highly complex procedure. Several variables can affect the outcome. The present study is a retrospective multivariate analysis of the outcomes of primary liver transplant recipients from deceased donors. From November 2006 through January 2009, 155 patients received first liver transplants from deceased donors. The data included the following: age of the recipient, gender of the recipient, ABO type, indication for the transplantation, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, operative time, donor age, gender of the donor, cold ischemia time, and quantity of transfused blood products-red blood cells (PRBC), red blood cells recovered during the operation (cell saver), platelets, and fresh frozen plasma. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 17 software. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify significant variables. ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve was applied for those significant factors. Among all variables, only PRBC transfusion and MELD score showed statistical significance. For PRBC the increment of death risk was 17.08%, and for MELD score it was 3.83%. Patients that had to use PRBC and higher MELD scores had worse survivals. We concluded that the requirement for red blood cell transfusions and MELD showed the most significant influences on the outcomes of adult liver transplantations from deceased donors.