Introduction: Cannabis is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs worldwide. In the US, cannabis has gained wider social and political acceptance. Liver transplant (LT) programs are challenged to reevaluate their substance abuse policies. Unlike alcohol where there is a clear detrimental effect on LT, data on the impact of cannabis is lacking. This study was performed to examine the ramifications of cannabis use in LT recipients.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of 138 patients who underwent LT in 2016. Patients who reported cannabis use or had positive toxicology within 6 month of LT were included in the analysis. Case to control was 1:2. We evaluated graft failure free survival, incidence of graft rejection, and incidence of pulmonary infection over the first 6 months of LT.

Results: The prevalence of cannabis use was 8.7%. Demographically, the non-cannabis group (NC) and the cannabis group (C) before matching were similar except for age. The graft free survival of NC was 87.5% whereas C was 100% (P=0.21). The rejection rates of both groups were equal at 83.3% (P=0.98), and the pulmonary infection rates were similar with NC (62.5%) and C (75%) (P=0.53).

Conclusion: Cannabis use continues to be a challenging topic during all phases of the LT process. 6 month morbidity and mortality is comparable among LT patients with ongoing cannabis use within 6 months of LT. Although its small number limits this study, this data can serve as a helpful guide in further refining LT program policies regarding cannabis use.

CITATION INFORMATION: Lee J., Valadez M., Moreno E., Markovic D., Agopian V., DiNorcia J., Yersiz H., Farmer D., Busuttil R., Kaldas F. Cannabis Use in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Experience Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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