Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Thrombolytic Therapy in Liver Transplantation Following Donation after Circulatory Death

Aim: The livers from DCD (donation after cardiac death) donations are often envisaged as a possible option to bridge the gap between the availability and increasing demand of organs for liver transplantation. However, DCD livers possess a heightened risk for complications and represent a formidable management challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thrombolytic flush in DCD liver transplantation. Methods: An extensive search of the literature database was made on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Crossref, Scopus databases, and clinical trial registry on 20 September 2018 to assess the role of thrombolytic tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) flush in DCD liver transplantation. Results: A total of four studies with 249 patients in the tPA group and 178 patients in the non-tPA group were included. The pooled data revealed a significant decrease in ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBLs) (P = 0.04), re-transplantation rate (P = 0.0001), and no increased requirement of blood transfusion (P = 0.16) with a better one year graft survival (P = 0.02). Conclusions: To recapitulate, tPA in DCD liver transplantation decreased the incidence of ITBLs, re-transplantation and markedly improved 1-year graft survival, without any increased risk for blood transfusion, hence it has potential to expand the boundaries of DCD liver transplantation.