Impact of stable PGI(2) analog iloprost on early graft viability after liver transplantation: a pilot study.

Clinical Transplantation, 26: E38–E47, 2012.

Aims
To explore if iloprost can reduce the rate of graft dysfunction and the incidence of initial non-function after liver transplantation.

Interventions
Receiving iloprost for seven days after transplantation versus receiving no iloprost.

Participants
80 liver transplant recipients.

Outcomes
The primary end point was the incidence of primary graft dysfunction within seven days after liver transplantation and Initial non-function defined as irreversible damage to the graft requiring re-transplantation within the first week and not secondary to hepatic artery thrombosis, biliary complication, or acute rejection. Secondary end points were patient survival, length of intensive care unit and overall hospital stay, the requirement of blood-coagulating substances within the first week after LT, peak levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. The safety assessment

Follow-up
6 months posttransplant

CET Conclusions
Patients receiving a liver transplant and randomised to receive iloprost for 7 days after transplantation had less primary graft dysfunction and no requirement for retransplantation for initial non function. Thus iloprost could be beneficial in preventing early liver dysfunction after liver transplantation but a much larger trial is required to prove this.

Jadad score
3

Data analysis
Strict intention-to-treat analysis

Allocation concealment
Yes

Trial registration
ISRCTN95672167

Funding source
Not reported