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Validation of the donor risk index in orthotopic liver transplantation within the Eurotransplant region
Author(s) -
Blok Joris J.,
Braat Andries E.,
Adam Rene,
Burroughs Andrew K.,
Putter Hein,
Kooreman Nigel G.,
Rahmel Axel O.,
Porte Robert J.,
Rogiers Xavier,
Ringers Jan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.22447
Subject(s) - medicine , liver transplantation , proportional hazards model , multivariate analysis , surgery , transplantation
Abstract In Eurotransplant, more than 50% of liver allografts come from extended criteria donors (ECDs). However, not every ECD is the same. The limits of their use are being explored. A continuous scoring system for analyzing donor risk has been developed within the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), the Donor Risk Index (DRI). The objective of this study was the validation of this donor risk index (DRI) in Eurotransplant. The study was a database analysis of all 5939 liver transplants involving deceased donors and adult recipients from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2007 in Eurotransplant. Data were analyzed with Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression models. Follow‐up data were available for 5723 patients with a median follow up of 2.5 years. The mean DRI was remarkably higher in the Eurotransplant region versus OPTN (1.71 versus 1.45), and this indicated different donor populations. Nevertheless, we were able to validate the DRI for the Eurotransplant region. Kaplan‐Meier curves per DRI category showed a significant correlation between the DRI and outcomes ( P < 0.001). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the DRI was the most significant factor influencing outcomes ( P < 0.001). Among all donor, transplant, and recipient variables, the DRI was the strongest predictor of outcomes. Liver Transpl 18:113–120, 2012. © 2011 AASLD.