New possibilities for testing direct arterial liver perfusion after liver transplantation

The aim of the study was to show new promising possibilities of direct perfusion test for the transplanted liver.Materials and methods. We have performed 246 liver transplantations (1998–2020). Since 2015 arterial complications were detected in 24 (23%) patients after 105 transplantations complicated by liver hypoperfusion: splenic artery steal syndrome (n = 8), hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 7), combination of hepatic artery stenosis and steal syndrome (n = 6), hepatic artery stenosis (n = 3). Endovascular interventions were performed in these cases for revascularization. Direct perfusion test was performed in 8 patients.Results. The liver perfusion index increased from 0.27 (0.13–0.45) to 0.62 (0.33–0.89) after endovascular procedures. Sufficient perfusion was ≥0.65.Conclusion. Direct liver perfusion test makes possible to identify and objectify graft blood supply, timely and adequate correction, and reduces the risk of developing biliary ischemic complications.

Treatment of Hepatic Artery Stenosis in Liver Transplant Patients Using Drug-Eluting versus Bare-Metal Stents

Hepatic artery stenosis after liver transplant is often treated with endovascular stent placement. Our institution has adopted use of drug-eluting stents, particularly in small-caliber arteries. We aimed to compare patency rates of drug-eluting stents vs. traditional bare-metal stents. This was a single-institution, retrospective study of liver transplant hepatic artery stenosis treated with stents. Primary patency was defined as time from stent placement to resistive index on Doppler ultrasonography (<0.5), hepatic artery thrombosis, or any intervention including surgery. Fifty-two patients were treated with stents (31 men; mean age, 57 years): 15, drug-eluting stents; 37, bare-metal stents. Mean arterial diameters were 4.1 mm and 5.1 mm, respectively. Technical success was 100% (52/52). At 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 years, primary patency for drug-eluting stents was 80%, 71%, 71%, and 71%; bare-metal stents: 76%, 65%, 53%, and 46% (p = 0.41). Primary patency for small-caliber arteries (3.5–4.5 mm) with drug-eluting stents was 93%, 75%, 75%, and 75%; bare-metal stents: 60%, 60%, 50%, and 38% (p = 0.19). Overall survival was 100%, 100%, 94%, and 91%. Graft survival was 100%, 98%, 96%, and 90%. Stenting for hepatic artery stenosis was safe and effective. While not statistically significant, patency improved with drug-eluting stents compared with bare-metal stents, especially in arteries < 4.5 mm in diameter. Drug-eluting stents can be considered for liver transplant hepatic artery stenosis, particularly in small-caliber arteries.

Transplant Hepatic Artery Stenosis: Endovascular Treatment and Complications

Hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) is an infrequent complication of liver transplant; if left untreated, it can lead to hepatic artery thrombosis with high risk of biliary necrosis and graft loss. HAS is diagnosed with screening Doppler ultrasound, together with computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. Endovascular treatment with angioplasty ± stent placement is safe and effective with infrequent major complications; however, when complications occur, they can devastate long-term graft survival. Herein, we present two cases of HAS treated with balloon angioplasty with resultant major complications requiring operative intervention.