Post-transplant complications in alcohol- and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease

Abstract

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)/metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) are severe liver diseases, with liver transplant being the primary curative treatment option. Transplant recipients with ALD suffer from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and poor drug compliance, which can result in graft injury and even graft loss. Relapse of alcohol consumption, lack of drug compliance, and smoking negatively impact the graft and clinical outcome of ALD-related transplantation patients. Furthermore, these patients are at a higher risk of developing non-hepatic complications such as malignancies, cardiovascular diseases, and other metabolic conditions. The management of these conditions requires pharmacological and behavioral strategies to manage complications as soon as they arise. Critical monitoring of these conditions is also advocated. In patients undergoing transplants for MASLD/MASH, early complications arise in obese and diabetic patients. Late post-transplant complications such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, recurring MASLD/MASH, immunosuppression, and arterial hypertension are reported. Integrating behavioral strategies with diet modification and physical activity is crucial to balance underlying metabolic disorders and improve clinical outcomes. Early steroid withdrawal and low calcineurin inhibitor doses can decrease the risk of post-transplant diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Lifestyle modifications and tailored immunosuppression are helpful in the prevention and management of post-transplant recurrent MASLD/MASH.

Keywords

Liver transplants / MASLD / ALD / MASH / challenges / complications

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