Comparisons of Liver Transplant from DCD outcomes in High-utilization centers versus Low-utilization centers in the US: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

What are the differences in outcomes between high and low-utilization centers in liver transplants from donors after cardiac death (DCDs)?Findings: In this meta-analysis of 898 liver transplant patients from DCDs, the high utilization centers showed a 1-year graft survival of 90.9% (95% CI: 88.4 -92.9; I2 = 0%), and low utilization centers showed 89.4% (95% CI: 83.8 -93.2; I2 = 0%), with a pvalue between groups of 0.54. For 1-year patient survival, high utilization centers had a rate of 94.6% (95% CI: 92.4 -96.1; I2 = 0%), and low utilization centers had 93.7% ( 95% CI: 79. -99.23; I2 = 0%), with a p-value between groups of 0.84.Meaning: Although low-utilization centers have a higher selectivity for DCD organs, there is no statistically relevant difference compared to high-utilization centers, which may be caused by a compensatory higher experience in the latter.