Fibroscan to Guide Post Transplant Immunosuppression Minimization

Following Liver transplantation, recipients remain on life long immunosuppression. Prolonged exposure to immunosuppression is associated with side effects and complications including kidney dysfunction, diabetes, heart disease and cancer risk.

Therefore studies are looking at safe ways to reduce or stop immunosuppression. An individual without autoimmune liver disease (these patients are at higher risk of rejection), without history of rejection, with normal blood tests (liver biochemistry, liver function, etc.) can be eligible for minimization of immunosuppression. A recent study showed use of fibroscan (an Ultrasound, which provides information on liver stiffness (diseased liver is hard while a normal liver is soft) and fat content) provides more objective information to help investigators select individuals who will tolerate immunosuppression minimization.

Our goal is to see if use of fibroscan allows the investigators to safely minimize immunosuppression in eligible individuals. The secondary aims are to assess benefit on kidney function, heart disease and risk factors for heart disease.