BackgroundVascular complications, such as HAT, are an important cause of graft loss and recipient mortality. We aimed to characterize post-transplant thrombotic events in a cohort of liver transplant recipients, and identify independent risk factors for these complications.MethodsWe conducted a thrombophilic study of 293 orthotopic liver transplants performed in the Digestive Surgery Department of the 12 de Octubre Hospital (Madrid, Spain) between January 2001 and December 2006.ResultsThe most frequent post-transplant thrombotic events were HAT (9%) and PVT (1.7%). The one variable associated with post-transplant thrombotic event was a high fibrinogen level in the global cohort of liver transplantation. But toxicity as event post-OLT has been associated with post-transplant thrombotic event in the retrospective group and high fibrinogen level and low protein C levels were associated post-transplant thrombotic event in the prospective group. Liver disease relapse (HR 6.609, p < 0.001), high levels of FVIII (HR 1.008, p = 0.019)) and low levels of antithrombin (HR 0.946, p < 0.001) were associated with poor overall survival (OS).In conclusion, high fibrinogen and decreased protein C levels were associated with allograft thrombosis. Further studies are required in order to assess the clinical relevance of these parameters in prospective studies and to study the effect of anticoagulation prophylaxis in this group of risk.

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Summary The association between donor age and the severity of recurrent hepatitis C and, whether there is any donor age above which severity of recurrence increases significantly, were analyzed. A total of 131 liver grafts of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected recipients were selected for the study. Distribution of donor age was compared between grafts with and without severe recurrence. The risk of developing severe recurrence as well as the hepatitis‐free, severe hepatitis‐free and HCV‐related graft survival was compared between different donor age groups. Mean donor age was higher for grafts with severe recurrence (P = 0.007). The risk of developing severe recurrence within 2 years post‐transplant increased with donors aged ≥50 years (RR = 1.34) and donors aged ≥70 years (RR = 1.61). Five‐year severe hepatitis‐free survival rates decreased progressively when donor age was over 50 years (P < 0.001). The study shows 50 and 70 years as the donor age cut‐off points above which the evolution of HCV‐infected recipients worsens.

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