Primary Stent Angioplasty of the Inferior Vena Cava After Liver Transplantation and Liver Resection

Abstract

This study evaluated technical efficacy and safety of stent angioplasty of the inferior vena cava (IVC) after liver transplantation or liver resection and analysis of changes in creatinine levels and patients' weight. Between October 2004 and February 2011, 16 patients (mean age, 52.6years) with symptomatic IVC stenoses after liver transplantation (n=10) or liver resection (n=6) were subjected to stent angioplasty. Enrollment criteria included edema and/or ascites. The smallest diameter of the IVC, serum creatinine values, and patients' weight were assessed before and after stent placement and respective values were compared. Technical and clinical success, patency rates, related complications, and patients' survival were analyzed. Stent placement was technically successful in 16 patients (100%). Clinical success was achieved in 13 patients (81.25%), reflecting two patients with early restenosis and one patient suffering from thrombosis distal to the stent. Mean follow-up was 372days. Primary patencies were 75% (n=12). Primary assisted patencies were 93.75% (n=15). Serum creatinine levels decreased significantly (p=0.01) from 1.68mg/dl before to 1.08mg/dl after stent placement. Patients' weight decreased (mean 2.1%). No angioplasty-related complications occurred. Stent angioplasty of the IVC is an effective and safe treatment of stenoses after liver transplantation and resection and has a positive effect on creatinine levels.