Kidney dysfunction before and immediately after liver transplantation is common and leads to poorer outcomes, including prolonged need for post-operative intensive care, diminished graft survival, and greater risk of permanent kidney dysfunction and death. Blood creatinine level - the standard measure of kidney function - is suboptimal in people with advanced liver disease, overestimating kidney function by \>20%. There is significant concern that liver transplant recipients are at higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) than we can currently predict. This study aims to identify superior tests (blood/urine or imaging) for kidney dysfunction, to enable improved treatment and patient outcomes. This study aims to recruit 80-100 consecutive patients admitted to the Scottish Liver Transplant Unit (SLTU), Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) for liver transplant assessment over a 6 month period. Permission will be sought to record the results of routine tests performed by the NHS during this assessment week. These tests include: electrocardiograph (ECG), Computed Tomography (CT) liver and abdomen, cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPEX), pulmonary function tests (PFTS), routine haematology and biochemistry blood tests, 24 hour urine collection and body composition analysis. In addition, we will invite participants to attend the RIE clinical research facility (CRF) for a single visit (\~2 hours) to perform extra research assessments. Blood and urine will be collected for biomarker analysis. Non-invasive assessment of cardiovascular function will be completed using cardiac bio-impedance and aortic pulse wave velocity. Examination of the blood vessels at the back of the eye will be performed using optical coherence tomography. A subgroup of 10 participants will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the kidneys using arterial spin labelling to identify dysregulated renal perfusion. Patients who are transplanted during the study timeframe will be asked to re-attend the CRF for repeat assessments at 6 weeks post transplantation. Funded by Scottish Liver Transplant Unit Endowment Fund
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Relationship between pre-transplant kidney function using novel biomarkers and post-transplant morbidity and mortality.
Timeframe: 6 months