Pictured left to right: J. Squires, P. McKiernan, J. Vockley, G. Mazariegos, R. Squires
Kristen Critelli, Patrick McKiernan, Jerry Vockley, George Mazariegos, Robert H. Squires, Kyle Soltys, James E. Squires. Liver Transplantation for Propionic Acidemia and Methylmalonic Acidemia: Peri€operative Management and Clinical Outcomes. Liver Transpl. 2018 Aug 6. PMID: 30080956
ABSTRACT
Propionic acidemia (PA) and methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) comprise the most common organic acidemias and account for profound morbidity in affected individuals. Although liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a bulk enzyme-replacement strategy to stabilize metabolically fragile patients, it is not a metabolic cure because patients remain at risk for disease-related complications. We retrospectively studied LT and/or liver-kidney transplant in 9 patients with PA or MMA with additional focus on the optimization of metabolic control and management in the perioperative period. Metabolic crises were common before transplant. By implementing a strategy of carbohydrate minimization with gradual but early lipid and protein introduction, lactate levels significantly improved over the perioperative period (P < 0.001). Posttransplant metabolic improvement is demonstrated by improvements in serum glycine levels (for PA; P < 0.001 × 10-14 ), methylmalonic acid levels (for MMA; P < 0.001), and ammonia levels (for PA and MMA; P < 0.001). Dietary restriction remained after transplant. However, no further metabolic crises have occurred. Other disease-specific comorbidities such as renal dysfunction and cardiomyopathy stabilized and improved. In conclusion, transplant can provide a strategy for altering the natural history of PA and MMA providing stability to a rare but metabolically brittle population. Nutritional management is critical to optimize patient outcomes.
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