ORIGINAL ARTICLES Effect of Nonviral Factors on Hepatitis C Recurrence After Liver Transplantation

Objective: Hepatitis C (HCV) is now the most common indication for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). While graft reinfection remains universal, progression to graft cirrhosis is highly variable. This study examined donor, recipient, and operative variables to identify factors that affect recurrence of HCV post-OLT to facilitate graft-recipient matching. Methods: Retrospective review of 307 patients who underwent OLT for HCV over a 10-year period at our center. Recurrence of HCV was identified by the presence of biochemical graft dysfunction and con-current liver biopsy showing diagnostic pathologic features. Time to recurrence was the endpoint for statistical analysis. Five donor, 6 recipient, and 2 operative variables that may affect recurrence were analyzed by univariate comparison and Cox proportional hazard regres-sion models. Results: Recurrence-free survival in the 307 study patients was 69