Improving graft survival for patients undergoing liver transplantation

Liver transplant (LT) outcomes are reported to be improving in non-HCV recipients but not for those infected with HCV. Our aim was to evaluate graft survival and predictors of outcome in HCV and non-HCV patients before and after 2003. Patients with primary LT between February 1, 1998, and December 31, 2005, were included. Patients were divided into Era 1 (1998-2002) and Era 2 (2003-2005) with follow-up through May 31, 2009. Graft survival was compared for HCV, non-HCV, and all patients. There was significant improvement in graft survival in Era 2 for HCV patients. Graft survival in Era 2 of HCV patients was equivalent to non-HCV patients. The most significant improvement between eras was in outcomes of grafts from donors ≥60 yr with three-yr graft survival 58.6 (51.3-65.9) vs. 75.4 (68.9-81.9), p = 0.002. The use of donors ≥60 did not change between eras: 31% vs. 34%; however, utilization in HCV recipients decreased from 36% to 3% (p < 0.001). In conclusion, graft survival of HCV patients has improved significantly since 2003 and was comparable to non-HCV patients up to three yr. The change in management of donor organs into HCV and non-HCV patients likely contributed to this outcome.