Objective:

To determine the prevalence of symptomatic pleural effusion among liver transplant candidates, compare demographic and disease-severity characteristics, and examine the association of pre-transplant pleural effusion with post-transplant mortality (30-day, 90-day, and overall).

Approach:

Key Findings:

• 12.8% of liver transplant candidates had symptomatic pleural effusion, with statistical significance.
• Patients with pleural effusion exhibited higher MELD and Child-Pugh scores.
• Pre-transplant pleural effusion was associated with increased short-term mortality post-transplant.

Interpretation:

Symptomatic pleural effusion in liver transplant candidates indicates more severe liver disease and correlates with worse post-transplant outcomes, highlighting the need for careful evaluation in candidate selection.

Limitations:

• Retrospective design may introduce selection bias.
• Single-center study limits generalizability.
• Potential confounding factors affecting results were not controlled.

Conclusion:

Symptomatic pleural effusion is prevalent among liver transplant candidates and is linked to higher mortality rates post-transplant, suggesting the need for careful consideration in candidate evaluation.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.