Budd–Chiari syndrome after liver transplantation resulting from inferior vena cava occlusion at the suture line

Abstract

A 64-year-old male with Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) due to inferior vena cava (IVC) occlusion after liver transplant presented with massive ascites and lower extremity edema. He was found to have chronic total occlusion of the supra-hepatic IVC with thrombosis in the infra-hepatic IVC, hepatic, renal, and iliac veins. Attempts to recanalize the occlusion by multiple operators failed. He was not a surgical candidate.The patient underwent venography of the IVC, and placement of a McNamara catheter for catheter-directed thrombolysis on the first day. The second day, he underwent right internal jugular access with contrast injections to mark the superior aspect of the occlusion via a Multipurpose catheter. An adult transseptal needle (Bard Electrophysiology Division C. R. Bard, Inc., Lowell, MA, USA) was used to create a tract through a 6French Raabe Sheath and traverse the occlusion. A 10-mm Snare (Cook, Bloomington, IN, USA) cranially retracted the guidewire. Intravascular ultrasound was performed to further delineate the diameter of the IVC at the lesion before dilation with a 6.0mm×40mm PTA balloon and a 10mm×29mm Palmaz Stent (Cordis Corporation, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) deployment. The patient lost 24.6kg in 2 weeks with resolution of ascites and pedal edema.<Learning objective: This case provides a unique approach to percutaneous intervention of inferior vena cava chronic total occlusion in the setting of Budd–Chiari syndrome post-liver transplant. There was use of an inferior and superior marker followed by use of transseptal needle to transverse the occlusion followed by balloon dilation and stent placement. While the disease and intervention have been described, the use of dual cranial/caudal markers and use of transseptal needle is unique to this particular case.>