Confirmation of the role of the Mayo risk score as a predictor of resourceutilization after orthotopic liver transplantation for primary biliary cirrhosis

Resource utilization is an important consideration when patients are select ed for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The Mayo Risk Score has been proposed to help predict optimum time for OLT. We assessed the relation be tween Mayo risk score, Child-Pugh score, and resource utilization and outco me after OLT for primary biliary cirrhosis. The mean Mayo risk score was gr eater in patients who died than in the survivors (8.6 +/- 1.4 v 7.1 +/- 1.8 ; P < .05). There was a positive correlation between Mayo risk score and th e 4 resource variables studied (intraoperative blood requirements, time ven tilated, and duration of intensive care unit and hospital stays). Patients with a Mayo risk score greater than 7.8 used almost twice the resources of patients with a risk score less than 7.8. A positive correlation also exist ed between Child-Pugh score and duration of hospital stay. The mean Child-P ugh score in patients who died was greater than that in survivors (10.7 +/- 2.0 v 8.5 +/- 2.8, P = .03). This study confirms that Mayo Risk score is a n important predictor of resource utilization and outcome after OLT.