Pitt-UNOS Liver Transplant Registry

Area of Science:

• Transplantation Medicine
• Hepatology
• Organ Donation and Transplantation

Background:

• The Pitt-UNOS Liver Transplant Registry collects data on all orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTX) in the U.S. since October 1, 1987.
• The registry captures recipient data at transplantation and follow-up, and donor data via UNOS Central.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the initial year of OLTX data collected by the Pitt-UNOS Liver Transplant Registry.
• To report on the volume of procedures, donor demographics, recipient characteristics, and early survival outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Data compilation from the Pitt-UNOS Liver Transplant Registry for the period October 1, 1987, to September 30, 1988.
• Analysis of 1,561 OLTX procedures, including multiorgan transplants.
• Demographic and clinical data review for donors and recipients, alongside survival rate calculations.

Main Results:

• 1,561 OLTX were performed on 1,377 patients; 165 patients received multiple livers.
• 34 out of 52 centers performed fewer than 20 OLTX, with only 7 performing over 50.
• 6-month survival was 76% (76% OLTX, 69% retransplant-free), and 1-year survival was 72% (72% OLTX, 64% retransplant-free).
• Survival varied by diagnosis; fulminant liver failure and malignancies had the poorest outcomes, while cholestatic and other cirrhoses had the best.

Conclusions:

• The initial year of OLTX demonstrated significant activity with variable center experience.
• Early survival rates indicate the potential of liver transplantation, with diagnosis and UNOS status being key prognostic factors.
• The registry provides a crucial foundation for monitoring and improving liver transplant outcomes.