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Hepatic Artery Thrombosis (hepatic + artery_thrombosis)
Selected AbstractsEarly Hepatic Artery Thrombosis after Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review of the Incidence, Outcome and Risk FactorsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2009J. Bekker To clarify inconsistencies in the literature we performed a systematic review to identify the incidence, risk factors and outcome of early hepatic artery thrombosis (eHAT) after liver transplantation. We searched studies identified from databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index) and references of identified studies. Seventy-one studies out of 999 screened abstracts were eligible for this systematic review. The incidence of eHAT was 4.4% (843/21, 822); in children 8.3% and 2.9% in adults (p < 0.001). Doppler ultrasound screening (DUS) protocols varied from ,no routine' to ,three times a day.' The median time to detection was at day seven. The overall retransplantation rate was 53.1% and was higher in children (61.9%) than in adults (50%, p < 0.03). The overall mortality rate of patients with eHAT was 33.3% (range: 0,80%). Mortality in adults (34.3%) was higher than in children (25%, p < 0.03). The reported risk factors for eHAT were, cytomegalovirus mismatch (seropositive donor liver in seronegative recipient), retransplantation, arterial conduits, prolonged operation time, low recipient weight, variant arterial anatomy, and low volume transplantation centers. eHAT is associated with significant graft loss and mortality. Uniform definitions of eHAT and uniform treatment modalities are obligatory to confirm these results and to obtain a better understanding of this disastrous complication. [source] Vascular reconstruction and complications in living donor liver transplantation in infants weighing less than 6 kilograms: The Kyoto experienceLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2006Yasumasa Shirouzu Smaller-size infants undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are at increased risks of vascular complications because of their smaller vascular structures in addition to vascular pedicles of insufficient length for reconstruction. Out of 585 child patients transplanted between June 1990 and March 2005, 64 (10%) weighing less than 6 kg underwent 65 LDLTs. Median age and weight were 6.9 months (range: 1-16 months) and 5 kg (range: 2.8-5.9 kg), respectively. Forty-five lateral segment, 12 monosegment, and 8 reduced monosegment grafts were adopted, and median graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 4.4% (range: 2.3-9.7). Outflow obstruction occurred in only 1 patient (1.5%). Portal vein complication occurred in 9 (14%) including 5 with portal vein thrombosis. Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) occurred in 5 (7.7%). Patient and graft survivals were 73% and 72% at 1 yr, and 69% and 68% at 5 yr after LDLT, respectively. Thirteen of 22 grafts (58%) lost during the follow-up period occurred within the first 3 months posttransplantation. Overall graft survival in patients with and without portal vein complication was 67% and 65%, respectively (P = 0.54). Overall graft survival in patients with and without HAT was 40% and 67%, respectively. HAT significantly affected graft survival (P = 0.04). In conclusion, our surgical technique for smaller-size recipients resulted in an acceptable rate of vascular complications. Overcoming early posttransplantation complications will further improve outcomes in infantile LDLT. Liver Transpl 12:1224,1232, 2006. © 2006 AASLD. [source] Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased incidence of vascular complications after liver transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2002Surakit Pungpapong Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and other vascular complications are significant causes of morbidity after liver transplantation. Although cigarette smoking increases the risk of vascular complications after renal transplantation, its impact after liver transplantation remains unknown. Between May 1995 and April 2001, 288 liver transplantations were performed in 263 patients. Vascular complications developed in 39 patients (13.5%) (arterial complications, 28 patients [9.7%]; venous complications, 11 patients [3.8%]). Patient demographics, comorbid illnesses, and risk factors were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact test. In patients with a history of cigarette smoking, incidence of vascular complications was higher than in those without history of cigarette smoking (17.8% v 8%, P = .02). Having quit cigarette smoking 2 years before liver transplantation reduced the incidence of vascular complications by 58.6% (24.4% v 11.8%, P = .04). The incidence of arterial complications was also higher in patients with a history of cigarette smoking compared with those without such history (13.5% v 4.8%, P = .015). Cigarette smoking cessation for 2 years also reduced the risk of arterial complications by 77.6% (21.8% v 5.9%, P =.005). However, the incidence of venous complications was not associated with cigarette smoking. Furthermore, there was no significant association between development of vascular complications and all other characteristics studied. Cigarette smoking is associated with a higher risk for developing vascular complications, especially arterial complications after liver transplantation. Cigarette smoking cessation at least 2 years before liver transplantation can significantly reduce the risk for vascular complications. Cigarette smoking cessation should be an essential requirement for liver transplantation candidates to decrease the morbidity arising from vascular complication after liver transplantation. [source] Hepatic artery thrombosis after orthotopic liver transplantation: A review of nonsurgical causesLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2001Sabrina Pastacaldi Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is one of the principal causes of morbidity and graft loss following liver transplantation. There are several risk factors for the development of HAT; technical aspects of the arterial anastomosis are important particularly for early thrombosis, but the improvement of surgical technique has lessened this problem. Apart from technical causes, other risk factors include a variety of conditions such as low donor/recipient age ratio, immunologic factors, clotting abnormalities, tobacco use, and infections. In particular, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of endothelial cells has been recently suggested as an infective cause of HAT, as it is known to be followed by a rapid procoagulant response. Thus, latent CMV in an allograft may become activated and promote or contribute to vascular thrombosis. This review evaluates these aspects, focusing on data relating CMV infection or viremia to HAT following liver transplantation. [source] Right-lobe living donor liver transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6B 2000Amadeo Marcos M.D. Key Points 1. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is currently performed at about 30 centers in the United States. 2. Careful and critical evaluation of donor and recipient is required for optimal outcome. 3. Right lobe donation is preferred over left lobe donation in adult LDLT. 4. There has been 1 donor death (<0.3%) in the US experiences. Donor biliary complications occur in approximately 4% of the cases. 5. Recipient survival after adult LDLT in the United States is approximately 88%. Hepatic artery thrombosis occurs in 3% and biliary complications in 18%. [source] Collaboration with microsurgery prevents arterial complications and provides superior success in partial liver transplantationMICROSURGERY, Issue 7 2006Betul Gozel Ulusal M.D. Hepatic artery thrombosis is the most common technical complication in liver transplantation. The objective of this study was to investigate the arterial complications of partial liver transplantation using microsurgical technique. At a period of 31-months, we participated in a total of 42 right lobes, 7 left lobes, and 1 whole-liver liver transplantations from cadaveric (n = 20) or living (n = 30) donors. Hepatic artery anastomosis was performed using microsurgical techniques. All anastomoses were accomplished successfully. Fifteen patients expired postoperatively and 35 hepatic artery anastomoses remained patent at a mean follow-up period of 10.6 ± 8.4 months. The mean diameters of the donor and recipient hepatic arteries were 2.9 ± 1.2 mm and 3.2 ± 1.1 mm, respectively. Specific technical challenges were encountered during operation in eight cases (16%). We have found that microsurgical techniques are not only useful for a superior anastomosis but also reliable to adapt to vascular anomalies with less arterial complications. complications. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2006. [source] Risk Factors for and Clinical Course of Non-Anastomotic Biliary Strictures After Liver TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2003Maureen M. J. Guichelaar Non-anastomotic biliary stricture (NAS) formation is a major complication of liver transplantation. We prospectively determined the time to development of responsiveness to treatment, and clinical outcomes following NAS formation. In addition, an extensive analysis of the association of recipient, donor, and clinical variables with NAS formation was performed. A total of 749 consecutive patients was studied in a prospective, protocol-based fashion. Seventy-two patients (9.6%) developed NAS at a mean of 23.6 ± 34.2 weeks post-transplantation. Non-anastomotic biliary stricture formation resolved in only 6% of affected patients. Although patient survival was not affected, retransplantation and graft loss rates were significantly greater in recipients who developed NAS. In contrast to previous reports, a pretransplant diagnosis of HCV was associated with a low frequency of NAS formation. The incidence of NAS was independently associated with pretransplant diagnoses of PSC and autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatic artery thrombosis, and prolonged warm and cold ischemia times were also independent risk factors for NAS formation. We conclude that NAS developed in ,10% of primary liver transplant recipients. A pretransplant diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis has been identified as a novel independent risk factor for NAS formation. Development of NAS significantly attenuates graft but not patient survival. [source] Use of cadaveric superior mesenteric artery as interpositional vascular graft in orthotopic liver transplantationBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 1 2001P. Muiesan Background: Hepatic artery thrombosis remains the most common technical complication that causes graft failure following orthotopic liver transplantation. The development of split liver and living related liver transplantation has led to the use of shorter and smaller arteries for arterial reconstruction to the graft. The present aim was to assess the effectiveness of the superior mesenteric artery as an interpositional graft in arterial reconstruction during liver transplantation. Methods: Cadaveric superior mesenteric artery was used to reconstruct small and short or multiple hepatic arteries in 35 liver transplants including 29 split, three living related, two whole liver transplants and one emergency revascularization post-transplantation. Results and conclusion: A low incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (one of 35 patients) was achieved utilizing cadaveric superior mesenteric artery as an interpositional vascular graft in liver transplantation. © 2001 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source] Liver transplantation for the sequelae of intra-operative bile duct injuryHPB, Issue 3 2002E De Santibańes Background Intra-operative bile duct injuries (IBDI) are potentially severe complications of the treatment of benign conditions, with unpredictable long-term results. Multiple procedures are frequently needed to correct these complications. In spite of the application of these procedures, patients with severe injuries can develop irreversible liver disease. Liver transplantation (LT) is currently the only treatment available for such patients, but little information has been published concerning the results of LT. Methods Eight patients with LT for end-stage liver disease for IBDI were studied retrospectively. They had failure of multiple previous treatments and experienced recurrent episodes of cholangitis, oesophageal variceal bleeding, severe pruritus, refractory ascites and spontaneous peritonitis. Results Mean recipient hepatectomy time was of 243 minutes (range 140,295 min), the complete procedure averages 545 minutes (260,720) and intraoperative red-blood-cells consumption was 6.5 units (1,7). One patient required reoperation due to perforation of a Roux-en-Y loop, and three developed minor complications (2 wound infections, 1 inguinal lymphocele). One patient died due to nosocomial pneumonia (mortality rate 12.5%). One patient required retransplantation due to delayed hepatic artery thrombosis. At follow-up 75% of patients are alive with normal graft function and an excellent quality of life. Conclusions LT represents a safe curative treatment for end-stage liver disease after IBDI, albeit a major undertaking in the context of a surgical complication in the treatment of benign disease. The complications of the surgical procedure and the long-standing immunosupression impart a high cost for resolutions of these sequelae but LT represents the only long-term effective treatment for these selected patients. [source] Seventh Day Syndrome , acute hepatocyte apoptosis associated with a unique syndrome of graft loss following liver transplantation,LIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2001Muhammed Ashraf Memon Abstract:Aim: The aim of this study is to describe a unique 7th day syndrome (7DS), quite different from other causes of post-transplantation allograft dysfunction in a group of orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) patients who needed retransplantation. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 594 consecutive OLT over an 8-year period revealed that 10 patients developed allograft dysfunction approximately 7 days following an initially normal graft function. Results: The features included: (a) severe liver failure; (b) sudden peak of extremely high liver enzymes at approximately day 7; (c) serial liver biopsy findings of central lobular hemorrhage with minimal inflammatory cell infiltrate and (d) an explant with no evidence of vascular thrombosis. The biochemical and morphometric pathological data of these patients were compared with data of patitents who had early acute rejection (AR), hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), primary non-function (PNF), severe sepsis and no dysfunction. Lastly, serial liver core biopsies and explants were tested for evidence of apoptosis, which revealed a significantly higher number of apoptotic hepatocytes in 7DS compared to all control groups. Conclusions: Seventh Day Syndrome is a distinct entity associated with early graft dysfunction characterized by a marked apoptosis of hepatocytes. Fas receptor activation or other pathways of program cell death may be implicated in occurrence of 7DS. [source] Urgent revascularization for hepatic artery thrombosis: Maybe good for the few, definitely good for the many,LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2010Heung Bae Kim No abstract is available for this article. [source] Long-term outcomes in pediatric liver transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue S2 2009John Bucuvalas Key Points 1. Critical clinical outcomes for pediatric liver transplantation (LT) recipients include (1) patient and graft survival, (2) complications (immune and nonimmune) of chronic immunosuppressive medications, and (3) long-term graft function. 2. Recurrence of malignancy, sepsis, and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder account for more than 65% of deaths occurring more than 1 year after LT. 3. Chronic rejection, late hepatic artery thrombosis, and biliary strictures account for 70% of graft loss occurring more than 1 year after LT. 4. Late histological changes in the allograft are emerging as a common problem in patients more than 5 years after LT. The pathogenesis of these findings and the impact on graft survival remain to be determined. Liver Transpl 15:S6,S11, 2009. © 2009 AASLD. [source] Clinical reactivation after liver transplantation with an unusual minor strain of hepatitis B virus in an occult carrierLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2006Bernhard Zöllner Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is detectable in a number of liver transplant candidates who are negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). After liver transplantation (LT), such patients may have molecular and/or serologic evidence of HBV replication. However, clinical disease from reactivation of occult HBV infection after LT has not been described. We report a patient who underwent LT for cryptogenic cirrhosis and had to be retransplanted twice for hepatic artery thrombosis. The patient was negative for HBsAg and positive for anti,hepatitis B core (HBc) and anti-HBs before all LT procedures and developed acute hepatitis B shortly after receiving the third graft. The HBV strain isolated at that time exhibited an unusual in frame insertion of a CAG motif within the HBV polymerase (HBVINS+). HBVINS+ was detected retrospectively as a minor species in pretransplantation sera and the explanted native liver by insertion-specific polymerase chain reaction. This case in an occult HBV carrier shows that clinically apparent, endogenous reinfection of the graft may occur with minor HBV variants that are not detectable in pretransplantation samples by standard diagnostic procedures. This has implications for the analysis of sources of acute hepatitis B in patients after LT and possibly for consideration of antiviral prophylaxis in anti-HBc/anti-HBs/HBV DNA-positive patients. Liver Transpl 12:1283,1289, 2006. © 2006 AASLD. [source] Intrahepatic cholestasis after liver transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2003Ziv Ben-Ari Cholestasis is a common sequela of liver transplantation. Although the majority of cases remain subclinical, severe cholestasis may be associated with irreversible liver damage, requiring retransplantation. Therefore, it is essential that clinicians be able to identify and treat the syndromes associated with cholestasis. In this review, we consider causes of intrahepatic cholestasis. These may be categorized by time of occurrence, namely, within 6 months of liver transplantation (early) and thereafter (late), although there may be an overlap in their causes. The causes of intrahepatic cholestasis include ischemia/reperfusion injury, bacterial infection, acute cellular rejection, cytomegalovirus infection, small-for-size graft, drugs for hepatotoxicity, intrahepatic biliary strictures, chronic rejection, hepatic artery thrombosis, ABO blood group incompatibility, and recurrent disease. The mechanisms of cholestasis in each category and the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome are discussed in detail. [source] Orthotopic liver transplantation using low-dose tacrolimus and sirolimusLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2001Vivian C. McAlister MB Although sirolimus (SRL) binds the immunophilin FK506-binding protein-12 (FKBP-12) with greater avidity than tacrolimus (TAC), animal studies have shown that SRL and TAC act synergistically to prevent rejection. Dose-related toxicity is more often the cause of TAC discontinuation than rejection. We hypothesized that SRL would allow for a substantial reduction in the concomitant dose of TAC after liver transplantation to levels less than the threshold for toxicity. A series of 56 liver transplant recipients were administered a combination of SRL and TAC (target trough levels, 7 and 5 ng/mL, respectively). Planned weaning of steroids commenced after 3 months. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies were undertaken. Patient and graft survival were 52 patients (93%) and 51 grafts (91%), with a follow-up of 23 months (range, 6 to 35 months). One episode (1.8%) of hepatic artery thrombosis was seen. The rate of acute cellular rejection was 14%. No extra treatment was administered in 3 of 8 patients, and the other 5 episodes responded to a single course of steroids. Cytomegalovirus infection occurred in 4 patients (7%). Renal function, glucose control, and lipid metabolism are near normal in 47 patients (84%) without additional medication. Steroid elimination is completed in 51 patients (91%). Bioavailability of SRL and TAC varied between transplant recipients, but trough levels strongly correlated with the area under the curve (r2 = 0.82 and r2 = 0.84, respectively). Simultaneous administration did not affect the PK profile of the drugs at this dose. The ratio of trough level to daily dose correlated between SRL and TAC. The synergistic effect seen in animal models also occurs in clinical liver transplant recipients on SRL-TAC combination immunosuppression. A low-dose combination of SRL and TAC should be compared with conventional immunosuppression in a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. [source] Safety and risk of using pediatric donor livers in adult liver transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2001Sukru Emre MD Pediatric donor (PD) livers have been allocated to adult transplant recipients in certain situations despite size discrepancies. We compared data on adults (age , 19 years) who underwent primary liver transplantation using livers from either PDs (age < 13 years; n = 70) or adult donors (ADs; age , 19 years; n = 1,051). We also investigated the risk factors and effect of prolonged cholestasis on survival in the PD group. In an attempt to determine the minimal graft volume requirement, we divided the PD group into 2 subgroups based on the ratio of donor liver weight (DLW) to estimated recipient liver weight (ERLW) at 2 different cutoff values: less than 0.4 (n = 5) versus 0.4 or greater (n = 56) and less than 0.5 (n = 21) versus 0.5 or greater (n = 40). The incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) was significantly greater in the PD group (12.9%) compared with the AD group (3.8%; P = .0003). Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative prothrombin time of 16 seconds or greater (relative risk, 3.206; P = .0115) and absence of FK506 use as a primary immunosuppressant (relative risk, 4.477; P = .0078) were independent risk factors affecting 1-year graft survival in the PD group. In the PD group, transplant recipients who developed cholestasis (total bilirubin level , 5 mg/dL on postoperative day 7) had longer warm (WITs) and cold ischemic times (CITs). Transplant recipients with a DLW/ERLW less than 0.4 had a trend toward a greater incidence of HAT (40%; P < .06), septicemia (60%), and decreased 1- and 5-year graft survival rates (40% and 20%; P = .08 and .07 v DLW/ERLW of 0.4 or greater, respectively). In conclusion, the use of PD livers for adult recipients was associated with a greater risk for developing HAT. The outcome of small-for-size grafts is more likely to be adversely affected by longer WITs and CITs. The safe limit of graft volume appeared to be a DLW/ERLW of 0.4 or greater. [source] Analysis of risk factors for the development of late hepatic artery thrombosis: Do CREG mismatches play a role?LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2000Peter Neuhaus [source] Pancreatitis in adult orthotopic liver allograft recipients: Risk factors and outcomeLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2000Deborah J. Verran Acute pancreatitis (AP) has been described after orthotopic liver transplantation but is uncommon in stable patients after the initial perioperative phase. The aim of this study is to review our experience with AP occurring more than 2 months after primary allografting and determine possible contributing factors plus patient outcome. A review of patient files and the unit database was performed. AP was diagnosed in 9 of 298 patients (3%) on 12 occasions. The incidence of AP was greater in men (8 of 163 men) than women (1 of 135 women; P< .04). Underlying factors to each episode of AP were biliary manipulation (4 of 12 episodes; 33%), history of recent alcohol ingestion (3 of 12 episodes; 25%), and malignancy in the region of the pancreas (2 of 12 episodes; 16%). AP was associated with a diagnosis of either hepatic artery thrombosis combined with biliary tract complications (P< .005) or malignancy (P< .004). In 7 of 12 episodes of AP (58%), conservative management alone was successful. In 3 of 9 patients (33%), subsequent surgery was required. One patient died of pancreatic malignancy. In conclusion, AP is uncommon in stable liver transplant recipients. Male sex, complications of hepatic artery thrombosis, and malignancy in the region of the pancreas are associated with AP in this study. [source] Long-term outcome and management of hepatopulmonary syndrome in childrenPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2010Abdulrahman Al-Hussaini Al-Hussaini A, Taylor RM, Samyn M, Bansal S, Heaton N, Rela M, Mieli-Vergani G, Dhawan A. Long-term outcome and management of hepatopulmonary syndrome in children. Pediatr Transplantation 2010:14:276,282. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract:, We aim to report a single center experience of the management and long term outcome of HPS in pediatric liver transplant recipients. A retrospective review of children with HPS from 1990 to 2004. Inclusion criteria: liver disease or portal hypertension, hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70 mmHg or SaO2 < 95%) and intrapulmonary shunting documented by macroaggregated albumin scan ratio of >4% (classified mild group [<20%], moderate group [20,40%] and severe group [>40%]). Resolution of HPS post-liver transplant was defined as PaO2 > 70 mmHg or SaO2 > 95%. Eighteen children (six male [34%], median age at diagnosis of HPS 8.6 [1,15.5] yr) had HPS: biliary atresia (n = 8), idiopathic biliary cirrhosis (n = 4), progressive intrahepatic cholestasis (n = 2), miscellaneous (n = 4). The majority had mild shunting (n = 8). Fourteen underwent transplantation with resolution of HPS in 13. Six developed complications: hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 4), biliary (n = 2). Four children died (28%), two pretransplant. There was a tendency towards shunt fraction worsening to a slower degree over time. One-yr survival rate post-transplant was 93%. Median PaO2 was significantly lower in non-survivors compared to survivors (43 vs. 55.2 mmHg, p = 0.03). There was correlation between oxygen parameters pretransplant and time to HPS resolution post-transplant. HPS is reversible after transplant, but is associated with increasing mortality and morbidity. [source] Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for hepatic artery thrombosis following liver transplantation: Current conceptsPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2006Ian Grover Abstract:, This article presents the case of an infant who underwent an orthotopic liver transplant and then developed hepatic artery thrombosis that was detected on routine post-operative right upper quadrant ultrasound. Alteplase (TPA) failed to open the artery, so the child received systemic heparin and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. After six HBO treatments, the hepatic artery had recanalized and his liver function tests had returned to normal or near normal. There were no complications to the HBO therapy, and 1 yr after the transplant, the child's liver is functioning well. The present study discusses the beneficial effects of HBO therapy and the proposed mechanisms for its favorable results. In our patient, systemic heparin and HBO therapy prevented liver failure and need for retransplantation. [source] Recurrence of hepatic artery thrombosis following acute tacrolimus overdose in pediatric liver transplant recipientPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2005Soshi Takahashi Abstract:, Acute overdose of tacrolimus appears to cause no or minimal adverse clinical consequences. We encountered a pediatric case who underwent liver transplantation associated with hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), which recurred following acute tacrolimus overdose. A 10-month-old girl underwent living-related liver transplantation because of biliary atresia. To reconstruct the hepatic artery, the right gastroepiploic artery of the donor was interposed between the right hepatic artery of the recipient (2.5 mm in diameter) and the left hepatic graft artery (1 mm in diameter) under microscopy. On postoperative day 4, Doppler ultrasonography showed a remarkable reduction in hepatic arterial flow, which was consistent with HAT. The patient underwent immediate hepatic arteriography and balloon angioplasty. The stenotic sites were dilated by the procedure. Tacrolimus was infused intravenously after transplantation and the infusion rate was adjusted to achieve a target concentration of 18,22 ng/mL, which remained stable until the morning of day 6. An unexpectedly high blood concentration of tacrolimus (57.4 ng/mL) was detected at 6:00 pm on day 6, and tacrolimus was discontinued at 9:00 pm; however, the tacrolimus level reached 119.5 ng/mL at 0:00 h on day 7. While the concentration decreased to 55.2 ng/mL on the morning of day 7, the hepatic arterial flow could not be observed by Doppler ultrasonography. Emergent hepatic arteriography showed stenosis of the artery at the proximal site of the anastomosis. Balloon angioplasty was again performed and the stenotic site was successfully dilated. High level of tacrolimus exposure to the hepatic artery with injured endothelium by preceding angioplasty may have been related to the recurrence of HAT in the present case. [source] Low incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis after pediatric liver transplantation without the use of intraoperative microscope or parenteral anticoagulationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2005Thomas G. Heffron Abstract:, The risk of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after pediatric liver transplantation (PLT) has been reported to range from 0 to 25%. We report our experience focusing on the interrelationships between risk factors, surgical technique and the incidence of HAT after liver transplantation in the pediatric age group. From February 18, 1997 to December 31, 2003, 150 consecutive liver transplants were performed in 132 pediatric patients. There were similar numbers of whole grafts when compared with partial grafts, 80 (53.3%) vs. 70 (46.7%), p = 0.30. Four grafts (2.7%) developed HAT. Of the grafts with HAT, three were successfully revascularized within the first 24 h. Only one graft (0.66%) was lost to HAT. A single surgeon utilizing 3.5,6.0 magnification loupes performed all but one hepatic arterial anastomoses. All patients were followed postoperatively by a daily ultrasound protocol and with anticoagulation of aspirin and alprostadil only. Living and deceased donor left lateral segment grafts had an increased rate of HAT when compared with whole liver grafts. HAT with subsequent graft loss may be minimized in PLT with the use of surgical loupes only, anticoagulation utilizing aspirin, alprostadil, and daily ultrasounds. [source] Liver Transplantation with Grafts from Controlled Donors after Cardiac Death: A 20-Year Follow-up at a Single CenterAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2010S. Yamamoto The first liver transplantation (LTx) in Sweden was performed in 1984, but brain death as a legal death criterion was not accepted until 1988. Between November 1984 and May 1988, we performed 40 consecutive LTxs in 32 patients. Twenty-four grafts were from donors after cardiac death (DCD) and 16 grafts from heart-beating donors (HBD). Significantly, more hepatic artery thrombosis and biliary complications occurred in the DCD group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Graft and patient survival did not differ between the groups. In the total group, there was a significant difference in graft survival between first-time LTx grafts and grafts used for retransplantation. There was better graft survival in nonmalignant than malignant patients, although this did not reach statistical significance. Multivariate analysis revealed cold ischemia time and post-LTx peak ALT to be independent predictive factors for graft survival in the DCD group. In the 11 livers surviving 20 years or more, follow-up biopsies were performed 18,20 years post-LTx (n = 10) and 6 years post-LTx (n = 1). Signs of chronic rejection were seen in three cases, with no difference between DCD and HBD. Our analysis with a 20-year follow-up suggests that controlled DCD liver grafts might be a feasible option to increase the donor pool. [source] Early Hepatic Artery Thrombosis after Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review of the Incidence, Outcome and Risk FactorsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2009J. Bekker To clarify inconsistencies in the literature we performed a systematic review to identify the incidence, risk factors and outcome of early hepatic artery thrombosis (eHAT) after liver transplantation. We searched studies identified from databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index) and references of identified studies. Seventy-one studies out of 999 screened abstracts were eligible for this systematic review. The incidence of eHAT was 4.4% (843/21, 822); in children 8.3% and 2.9% in adults (p < 0.001). Doppler ultrasound screening (DUS) protocols varied from ,no routine' to ,three times a day.' The median time to detection was at day seven. The overall retransplantation rate was 53.1% and was higher in children (61.9%) than in adults (50%, p < 0.03). The overall mortality rate of patients with eHAT was 33.3% (range: 0,80%). Mortality in adults (34.3%) was higher than in children (25%, p < 0.03). The reported risk factors for eHAT were, cytomegalovirus mismatch (seropositive donor liver in seronegative recipient), retransplantation, arterial conduits, prolonged operation time, low recipient weight, variant arterial anatomy, and low volume transplantation centers. eHAT is associated with significant graft loss and mortality. Uniform definitions of eHAT and uniform treatment modalities are obligatory to confirm these results and to obtain a better understanding of this disastrous complication. [source] Hepatic Resection in Liver Transplant Recipients: Single Center Experience and Review of the LiteratureAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2005Olaf Guckelberger Biliary complications such as ischemic (type) biliary lesions frequently develop following liver transplantation, requiring costly medical and endoscopic treatment. If conservative approaches fail, re-transplantation is most often an inevitable sequel. Because of an increasing donor organ shortage and unfavorable outcomes in hepatic re-transplantation, efforts to prolong graft survival become of particular interest. From a series of 1685 liver transplants, we herein report on three patients who underwent partial hepatic graft resection for (ischemic type) biliary lesions. In all cases, left hepatectomy (Couinaud's segments II, III and IV) was performed without Pringle maneuver or mobilization of the right liver. All patients fully recovered postoperatively, but biliary leakage required surgical revision twice in one patient. At last follow-up, two patients presented alive and well. The other patient with persistent hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), however, demonstrated progression of disease in the right liver remnant and required re-transplantation 13 months after hepatic graft resection. Including our own patients, review of the literature identified 24 adult patients who underwent hepatic graft resection. In conclusion, partial graft hepatectomy can be considered a safe and beneficial procedure in selected liver transplant recipients with anatomical limited biliary injury, thereby, preserving scarce donor organs. [source] Living related liver transplantation in children,BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 7 2008N. Heaton Background: Living related liver transplantation (LRLT) has become established for treating children with end-stage liver disease. The aim of this study was to review a single-centre experience of left lateral segment liver transplants from living donors in children. Methods: Fifty left lateral segment LRLT procedures have been performed since 1993. There were 17 girls and 33 boys, of median age 1·5 years (range 0·5 to 13 years), with a median weight of 10 (range 0·7,44) kg. Donors included 23 mothers, 26 fathers and one uncle, with a median age of 33 (range 19,46) years. Results: At a median follow-up of 86 months, there was no donor mortality and low morbidity. Patient and graft survival rates were 98, 96 and 96 per cent, and 98, 96 and 93 per cent at 1, 3 and 5 years respectively. Three children had a second transplant at a median of 9 years after the first. The incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis, portal vein thrombosis and biliary complications was 6, 4 and 14 per cent respectively. Conclusion: Living related liver transplantation has good long-term results in children. Copyright © 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Use of donor aorta for arterial reconstruction in paediatric liver and multivisceral transplantationBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 6 2004S. Nishida Background: Arterial reconstruction remains the most important technical issue in paediatric transplantation. The arteries of paediatric donors as well as recipients are small and friable. The aim of this study was to assess the use of the donor aorta as a conduit for arterial reconstruction in paediatric liver and multivisceral transplantation. Methods: Between June 1994 and January 2002, 284 paediatric transplants, including 197 cadaveric liver and multivisceral transplants, were performed in children at this centre. Of these, 41 (20·8 per cent), including nine cadaveric liver transplants and 32 multivisceral transplants, were revascularized by donor aortic reconstruction. Patient demographics, types of donor arterial reconstruction, technical complications and incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis were reviewed. Results: None of the 41 donor aortic reconstructions used in revascularization of paediatric liver and multivisceral transplants thrombosed. There were no bleeding complications and no pseudoaneurysms developed. Conclusion: Arterial reconstruction using donor aorta is a useful option with a low incidence of thrombosis in paediatric transplantation. Copyright © 2004 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Use of cadaveric superior mesenteric artery as interpositional vascular graft in orthotopic liver transplantationBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 1 2001P. Muiesan Background: Hepatic artery thrombosis remains the most common technical complication that causes graft failure following orthotopic liver transplantation. The development of split liver and living related liver transplantation has led to the use of shorter and smaller arteries for arterial reconstruction to the graft. The present aim was to assess the effectiveness of the superior mesenteric artery as an interpositional graft in arterial reconstruction during liver transplantation. Methods: Cadaveric superior mesenteric artery was used to reconstruct small and short or multiple hepatic arteries in 35 liver transplants including 29 split, three living related, two whole liver transplants and one emergency revascularization post-transplantation. Results and conclusion: A low incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (one of 35 patients) was achieved utilizing cadaveric superior mesenteric artery as an interpositional vascular graft in liver transplantation. © 2001 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source] Liver transplantation for sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (veno-occlusive disease): case report with review of the literature and the UNOS databaseCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2008Fernando E. Membreno Abstract:,Background:, Severe sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) is a life-threatening complication of stem cell transplantation. We report the case of a young man transplanted for SOS. Method:, A single chart review with query of the United Network of Organ Sharing database and review of the medical literature. Case:, A 23-yr-old male diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia underwent a matched unrelated stem cell transplant. The conditioning regimen included high-dose cyclophosphamide and busulfan. Within one month, he developed painful hepatomegaly, jaundice, ascites, and weight gain, and was diagnosed with biopsy-proven SOS. Despite therapy with defibrotide, he continued to deteriorate with the development of progressive renal failure and encephalopathy. The patient underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. After surgery, he developed cytomegalovirus infection and six wk later presented with a bile leak, hepatic artery thrombosis, and a liver abscess. A repeat bone marrow biopsy showed no evidence of recurrent disease. Although the patient was listed for re-transplantation, he succumbed prior to an organ becoming available. Conclusion:, Severe SOS in the setting of bone marrow transplantation portends a poor prognosis. Careful patient selection, timing, and perhaps less immunosuppression should be considered when performing a liver transplantation in the setting of severe SOS. [source] Factor V Leiden and hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantationCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2006Ty B Dunn Abstract:, Factor V Leiden (FVL) and other thrombophilias can be acquired during liver transplantation and can have a significant impact on clinical outcomes as well as cost. Standard practice does not include screening deceased donors for heritable thrombophilias, even if they have a personal history of thrombosis. Here we report a case of hepatic artery thrombosis in a liver recipient whose native and donor livers were heterozygous for FVL. The patient subsequently underwent a successful retransplant. FVL and its variants are expressed phenotypically as activated protein C (APC) resistance. We believe that testing liver donors (deceased or living) for APC resistance , a surrogate marker for the most common liver-based thrombophilia , will reduce the incidence of thrombotic events by identifying a need for posttransplant prophylactic anticoagulation in patients at risk. The estimated cost of testing all liver donors in the US for APC resistance is less than the cost of two complications secondary to thrombosis. Testing for APC resistance may further improve outcome and reduce cost after liver transplantation. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||