Domino liver transplantation using a graft from a donor with familial hypercholesterolemia: seven-yr follow-up

A 46-yr-old female with hepatocellular carcinoma and severe hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis received a domino liver graft from a 25-yr-old female with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFHC) in September 2001. Hypercholesterolemia occurred in the graft recipient within one yr after transplantation and was partially controlled by atorvastatin. Three yr after transplantation, an autologous CD34(+) cell transplantation was performed in order to better control the hypercholesterolemia. Only preliminary results of this domino liver transplantation (DLT) were published in 2003, without a long-term analysis of the hypercholesterolemic effects in recipient. Subsequent to DLT, the average plasma cholesterol level in the domino donor rapidly normalized and seven yr after had a value of 182 mg/dL. After seven-yr follow-up, the domino recipient has no hepatocarcinoma recurrence. Moreover, no signs of cardiovascular or atherosclerotic lesions were noted despite an elevated plasma cholesterol level (339 mg/dL after seven yr of follow-up) resistant to drug therapy and stem cell autotransplantation. In conclusion, DLT using a liver graft from a patient with HFHC provides a viable option for marginal recipients.