Hepatic Artery Stenosis Research Articles

Stent Placement in Pediatric Patients With Hepatic Artery Stenosis or Thrombosis After Liver Transplantation

Hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) and thrombosis (HAT) after orthotopic liver transplantation remain significant causes of graft loss. Postoperative HAT follows approximately 5% to 19% of orthotopic liver transplantation. It is seen more frequently in pediatric patients. In the past, repeat transplantation was considered the first choice for therapy. Recently, interventional radiological techniques, such as thrombolysis, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, or stent placement in the hepatic artery, have been suggested, but little data exist related to stent placement in the thrombosed hepatic artery during the early postoperative period in pediatric patients. Between March 2000 and March 2005, percutaneous endoluminal stent placement was performed in seven pediatric liver transplant patients. HAT or HAS initially diagnosed in all cases by Doppler ultrasound then confirmed angiographically. We intervened in four cases of hepatic artery stenosis and three cases of hepatic artery occlusion. Stents were placed in all patients. Three ruptures were seen during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the hepatic artery using a covered coronary stents on the first, fifth day, or 17th postoperative day. In one patient, dissection of the origin of the common hepatic artery developed owing to a guiding sheath, and a second stent was placed to cover the dissected segment. The other two hepatic artery stents remained patent. In one stent became occluded at 3 months after the intervention with no clinical problems. Follow-up ranged from 9 to 40 months. In conclusion, early and late postoperative stent placement in the graft hepatic artery was technically feasible.

Liver Transplantation: Experience With Our First 100 Cases

Objectives Our goal was to evaluate the results of the first 100 liver transplants performed in our institution. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the first 100 liver transplants undertaken in adults from November 2001 to August 2005. Results The mean age of the recipients was 50 years (20 to 69) and 73% were men. The mean waiting time was 35 days. The mean age of the donors was 60 years (15 to 87), and 60% were men. One-year patient and graft survival rates were 93% and 90%, respectively. Three-year patient and graft survival rates were 85% and 82%, respectively. The need for retransplantation was 3%. Surgical complications included hepatic artery stenoses, 2%; hepatic artery thromboses, 2%; biliary leaks, 6%; and biliary stenoses, 14%. Conclusions These results are no different from the overall results for liver transplantation in Spain during the same period.

Hemodynamic monitoring of postoperative hepatic artery stenosis and interventional treatment in liver transplantation with color Doppler ultrasonography

目的 探讨彩色多普勒超声在肝移植术后发生肝动脉狭窄及其围介入治疗中的监测作用.方法 回顾性分析71例原位肝移植病人的超声检查资料,其中发生肝动脉狭窄并进行介入治疗的5例,并与同期血管造影对照.结果 发生肝动脉狭窄病人彩色多普勒血流显像(CDFI)可见肝动脉纤细迂曲,多呈间断性星点闪烁状;近狭窄处肝动脉血流峰速(S1)升高(163.62±14.66)cm/s,远端动脉血流峰速(S2)降低(19.10±3.91)cm/s;阻力指数(RI)降低(0.38±0.07);收缩期血流加速时间(SAT)延长(98.00±9.41)ms;行经皮血管成形术,当狭窄部分、全部解除时,肝动脉各段血流峰速均相应不同程度向正常恢复,S1为(73.68±8.81)cm/s;S2为(37.18±4.80)cm/s,而阻力指数仍长时间维持降低(0.42±0.06),SAT长时间维持延长(98.20±6.80)ms.结论 彩色多普勒超声在肝移植术后发生肝动脉狭窄及其围介入治疗中具有较高监测价值。

The use of coronary stent in hepatic artery stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation

Purpose This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of coronary stent placement in hepatic artery stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Materials and methods Of 430 consecutive adult orthotopic liver transplant recipients between November 2003 and September 2005, 17 had hepatic artery stenosis (HAS). Fourteen of them underwent coronary stent placement in the HAS. The technical results, complications, hepatic artery patency and clinical outcome were reviewed. Results Technical and immediate success was 100%. After a mean follow-up of 159.4 days (range, 9–375 days), all patients obtained patent hepatic arteries except 2 patients occurred hepatic artery restenoses at 26 and 45 days after stent placement, respectively. Kaplan–Meier curve of patency showed cumulated stent patency at 3, 6, and 12 months of 78%, 58% and 45%, respectively. During the follow-up, 8 patients survived, 5 died of septic multiple-organ failure, 1 received retransplantation because of refractory biliary infection. Hepatic artery dissection induced by a guiding catheter occurred in one patient and was successfully treated with a coronary stent. Conclusion Hepatic artery stenosis after OLT can be successfully treated with coronary stent placement with low complication rate and an acceptable 1-year hepatic artery patency rate.

Risk Factors for Graft Dysfunction After Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for graft dysfunction after adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Thirty-nine adults with chronic cirrhosis underwent LDLT between 1999 and 2004. Their postoperative courses were uneventful with no vascular or bile duct complications early after LDLT, except one mild hepatic artery stenosis. The preoperative MELD scores were significantly higher in the failed graft group ( n = 5) than the functioning graft group ( n = 34; P = .004), while the graft liver weight/standard liver volume ratio was similar between these groups. We concluded that a high preoperative MELD score was associated with postoperative graft failure and that graft size had little impact on graft outcome. Although large grafts would seem intuitively more suitable for sick recipients, we did not show a benefit among this cohort; the MELD score was the best predictor, a finding that is also most consistent with donor safety.

Hyponatremia Impairs Early Posttransplantation Outcome in Patients With Cirrhosis Undergoing Liver Transplantation

Hyponatremia is associated with reduced survival in patients with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation. However, it is not known whether hyponatremia also represents a risk factor of poor outcome after transplantation. We aimed to assess the effects of hyponatremia at the time of transplantation on posttransplantation outcome in patients with cirrhosis. Two-hundred forty-one consecutive patients with cirrhosis submitted to liver transplantation during a 4-year period (January 2000-December 2003) were included in the study. The main end point was survival at 3 months after transplantation. Secondary end points were complications within the first month after transplantation. Patients with hyponatremia (serum sodium lower than 130 mEq/L) had a greater incidence of neurologic disorders, renal failure, and infectious complications than patients without hyponatremia (odds ratio; 4.6, 3.4 and 2.7, respectively) within the first month after transplantation. By contrast, hyponatremia was not associated with an increased incidence of severe intra-abdominal bleeding, acute rejection, or vascular and biliary complications. Hyponatremia was an independent predictive factor of early posttransplantation survival. Three-month survival of patients with hyponatremia was 84% compared with 95% of patients without hyponatremia (P < .05). Survival was similar after 3 months. In patients with cirrhosis, the presence of hyponatremia is associated with a high rate of neurologic disorders, infectious complications, and renal failure during the first month after transplantation and reduced 3-month survival. In cirrhosis, hyponatremia should be considered not only a risk factor of death before transplantation but also a risk factor of impaired early posttransplantation outcome.

Prophylaxis and treatment of operation-correlated complications in orthotopic liver transplantation

To investigate the common reasons, prophylaxis and treatment of operation-correlated complications in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Six hundred and forty-seven patients who underwent OLT from Apr 1993 to Dec 2004 were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively. There were totally 39 cases (6.0%, 39/647) of vascular complications including 23 cases (3.6%) of hepatic artery complications, 6 cases (0.9%) of portal vein complications and 10 cases (1.5%) of vena cava complications. All vena cava complications were occurred in the patients of non-cavaplasty. The success rate of stent placement in treatment of hepatic artery stenosis was 2/2; for patients with hepatic artery thrombosis, the success rate of retransplantation was 4/6, that of revasculation and balloon dilation were 3/7 and 2/7 respectively. Stent placement can treat both anastomotic strictures and venae cavae stricture with the cure rate of 3/3 and 10/10 respectively. There were 34 cases of biliary complications, in which 27 cases were in patients with T tube, and 7 cases in without T tube. The incidence of biliary leak and biliary infection was significantly different between these two groups. The modified piggyback (cavaplasty) technique could prevent the incidence of venae cavae complications effectively. Stent placement is an effective way to treat vascular stenosis. And retransplantation should be performed in early hepatic artery thrombosis. It is important to protect the blood supply of biliary system, and choledochostomy without T tube is the first choice for biliary reconstruction.

Bile duct strictures after liver transplantation: A changing landscape of the Achilles' heel

Bile duct strictures after liver transplantation: A changing landscape of the Achilles' heel

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for hepatic artery stenosis after living donor liver transplantation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for treatment of hepatic artery stenosis after living donor liver transplantation. Eighteen patients with hepatic artery stenosis after living donor liver transplantation were included in this study. The success rate and complications of PTA and recurrent stenosis of the hepatic artery were evaluated. Seventeen of 18 patients (94.4%) were successfully treated without complication by a first PTA procedure. Recurrence of hepatic artery stenosis occurred in 6 patients (33.3%). Repeated PTA was performed 12 times for the 6 patients. Two complications occurred as arterial dissection and perforation. As a consequence, the complication rate was 6.7%, involving 2 of 30 procedures in total. In conclusion, PTA is effective for treatment of hepatic artery stenosis after living donor liver transplantation without an increase in the complication rate.

Clinical outcomes from hepatic artery stenting in liver transplantation

Hepatic artery stenosis after liver transplantation may affect liver function and result in hepatic artery thrombosis. Surgical reconstruction has been the first choice for treatment. Interventional radiologic technique can be used, but there is no report on long-term outcome. The aim of this paper is to assess current outcome and complications of hepatic artery stenting. Twenty-six adult patients were stented for hepatic artery stenosis between 1998 and 2003. Nine patients had previous surgical reconstruction for hepatic artery stenosis. Seventeen patients suffered newly developed hepatic artery stenosis. Three patients were retransplanted. After stenting, the patients were followed by Doppler ultrasound at day 1, 1 month, and 6 months. Angiography was scheduled in 6 months. Four patients died within 2 months. The other 22 patients were followed for mean 31 +/- 14 months (8-71 months). One of 22 patients died from renal failure 2 years later. Twelve patients' hepatic arteries looked normal after stenting. Restenosis was seen in 8 patients (36%). Other complications were artery thrombosis (n = 1) and long segment stricture (n = 1). In 2 patients (25%) restenosis resulted in thrombosis. Six of the 8 patients who developed recurrent stenosis were successfully treated interventionally: restent (n = 5) and balloon dilation (n = 3). However, 3 patients (38%) restenosed. Kaplan-Meier complication-free survival was 54% at 1 year after stenting. In conclusion, hepatic artery stenting is a viable treatment for hepatic artery stenosis with reasonable results. Stenting is useful as adjuvant treatment after surgical revision.

Donation After Cardiac Death

To determine whether the outcomes of liver transplantation (LTx) from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors are equivalent to those from donation after brain death (DBD) donors. Because of the significant donor organ shortage, more transplant centers are using livers recovered from DCD donors. However, long-term, single-center outcomes of liver transplantation from DCD donors are limited. From January 1, 1993, to July 31, 2002, 553 liver transplants were performed from DBD donors and 36 were performed from DCD donors. Differences in event rates between the groups were compared with Kaplan-Meier estimates and the log-rank test. Differences in proportion and differences of means between the groups were compared with Fisher exact test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test, respectively. Mean warm ischemic time at recovery in the DCD group was 17.8 +/- 10.6 minutes. The overall rate of biliary strictures was greater in the DCD group at 1 year (33% versus 10%) and 3 years (37% versus 12%; P = 0.0001). The incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis, portal vein stenosis/thrombosis, ischemic-type biliary stricture (ITBS), and primary nonfunction were similar between groups. However, the incidence of both hepatic artery stenosis (16.6% versus 5.4%; P = 0.001) and hepatic abscess and biloma formation (16.7% versus 8.3%; P = 0.04) were greater in the DCD group. Trends toward worse patient and graft survival and increased incidence of ITBS were seen in DCD donors greater than 40 years compared with DCD donors less than 40 years. Overall patient survival at 1 year (DCD, 80%; versus DBD, 91%) and 3 years (DCD, 68%; versus DBD, 84%) was significantly less in the DCD group (P = 0.002). Similarly, graft survival at 1 year (DCD, 67%; versus DBD, 86%) and 3 years (DCD, 56%; versus DBD, 80%) were significantly less in the DCD group (P = 0.0001). Despite similar rates of primary nonfunction, LTx after controlled DCD resulted in worse patient and graft survival compared with LTx after DBD and increased incidence of biliary complications and hepatic artery stenosis. However, overall results of LTx after controlled DCD are encouraging; and with careful donor and recipient selection, LTx after DCD may successfully increase the donor liver pool.

Interventional radiological techniques in management of early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of interventional radiological techniques in management of early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Nine patients with HAT after OLT, 8 males and 1 female, aged 47.6 (32-63), presenting elevation of liver enzymes and bilirubin, whose diagnosis was suggested by Doppler ultrasonography and confirmed by angiography 16 hours to 10 days after the OLT, underwent interventional radiological techniques, including indwelling transcatheter hepatic artery (HA) thrombolysis with a low dose of urokinase, and stent placement into the stenotic segment of HA. Contemporaneous systemic low dose of heparin was given intravenously. Ultrasonography was performed every 12 hours during the intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis. HA flow was established in 7 of the 9 patients (78%) 12 hours to 9 days (on average 4.8 days) after the IA thrombolysis with significant improvement of liver functions. HA stenosis (HAS) at the anastomotic stoma was found in 6 of these 7 patients, and stent placement at the stenotic segment was performed successfully in 6 of them with a degree of stenosis over 90%. IA thrombolysis failed in 2 cases. One patient with intraperitoneal hemorrhage 12 hours after the treatment underwent emergent graft revision and the bleeding place was found at the HA anastomotic stoma. One patient remained completely occluded of the HA 7 days after the treatment; however, the collateral flow to the liver was identified. His liver function was improved without further intervention. Follow-up of 6 months (2-14 months) showed that the 7 patients with successful HA recanalization had a good clinical course with normal graft function. Transcatheter endovascular interventional techniques are effective on treatment of early HAT after OLT.

Vascular Complications After Liver Transplantation in Pediatric Patients

Vascular complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation, particularly in pediatric patients, owing to their smaller vascular diameters. Between September 2001 and June 2004, among 21 (16 boys and 5 girls) pediatric liver transplantations of mean age 8.3 ± 5.1 years, hepatic arterial thrombosis (HAT) was diagnosed in 2 (9.5%) patients, and hepatic arterial stenosis (HAS) in 4 (19.4%). Vascular patency was evaluated with Doppler ultrasonography every 12 hours in the first postoperative week and daily in the second postoperative week. When occlusion was suspected, conventional angiography was performed. Thrombectomy was performed in one patient, and thrombectomy and reanastomosis were performed in another patient with HAT. Two patients with HAS were treated with balloon angioplasty. A third patient was treated with balloon angioplasty and endoluminal stent placement at the same time. The last patient with HAS had an intimae dissection, which occurred 24 hours after balloon angioplasty, that was treated with subsequent endoluminal stent placement. Mean follow-up for the patients with vascular complications was 9.5 ± 5.7 months (range, 4 to 18 months). The overall mortality rate was 14.1% (3/21); however, no deaths were caused by vascular complication. Routine Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation is an effective choice for diagnosing vascular complications seen after liver transplantation. Immediate surgical intervention is required for acute vascular complications, whereas late complications may be treated with balloon angioplasty and/or endoluminal stent placement.

Twenty Cases of Adult-to-Adult Living-Related Liver Transplantation: Single-Center Experience in Saudi Arabia

Background The deceased donor organ shortage has forced surgeons to implement innovations, including living-related liver transplantation (LRLT). Objective To present the first 20 cases of adult LRLT in a single center in Saudi Arabia. Methods From November 2000 to May 2004, we performed 20 cases of LRLT. Eighteen donors were men and 2 were women. Their median age was 27 years. Seventeen of the recipients were men and 3 were women of median age 55 years. One patient received combined liver and kidney grafts. Results All cases had liver cirrhosis. Seven had hepatitis C; six, hepatitis B and C; three, hepatitis B; one, alcoholic cirrhosis; one, Bylar disease, one hepatic schistosomiasis, and one cryptogenic cirrhosis. Three cases had associated hepatocellular carcinomas. There was no donor mortality. In the recipients, the overall patient and graft survival was 85%. While 10 donors presented uneventful postoperative courses, 8 experienced minor complications and 2, major complications: biliary stricture and portal vein thrombosis. Recipients complications included biliary complications (35%), acute rejection (20%), hepatitis C reactivation (20%), hepatic vein stenosis (10%), hepatic artery stenosis (5%), and hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence (5%). Conclusions LRLT has become a standard option in adults with end-stage liver failure in our center.

Influence of HLA Compatibility on Success With Living-Related Pediatric Liver Transplantation

It is not clear how HLA compatibility influences acute rejection and postoperative complications in cadaveric liver transplantation. Even less is known about this factor in pediatric living-related liver transplantation (LRLT). This research assessed HLA compatibility relative to rejection rates and complications in pediatric LRLT. The study retrospectively investigated data from 14 pediatric LRLTs in which the donor and recipient HLA genotypes were determined preoperatively. Three recipients (21.4%) developed biliary complications (two biliary leakage, one bile duct stenosis). Three others (21.4%) developed vascular complications (two hepatic artery thrombosis, one hepatic artery stenosis). Eight recipients (57.1%) were diagnosed with acute rejection. The incidence of acute rejection was not correlated with the number of HLA mismatches ( P > .05), or with the number of HLA class I mismatches ( P > .05); however, it was negatively correlated with number of HLA class II mismatches ( P = .02). Arterial and biliary complications were not correlated with any of these categories of HLA compatibility. In conclusion, the data from this small group of patients provided no evidence that closeness of donor–recipient HLA matching influences outcome in pediatric LRLT.

Multi-detector computed tomography angiography of the hepatic artery in liver transplant recipients

To evaluate the ability of multi-detector row computed tomography angiography (CTA) in detecting hepatic artery complications in the follow-up of liver transplant patients, performing volume-rendering as reconstruction technique. The anatomy of hepatic artery was studied in 27 liver transplant recipients with a four-row CT scanner using the following parameters: collimation, 1 mm; slice width, 1 mm; table feed, 6-8 mm/s; spiral reconstruction time, 0.5 s; reconstruction interval, 0.5 mm; mAs, 160; kVp, 120. Before the study, the patients received 1000 ml of water as oral contrast agent to produce negative contrast in the stomach and the small bowel. A non-ionic contrast medium was infused intravenously at a rate of 5 ml/s with a bolus tracking system. Volume-rendering of hepatic artery was performed with the 3D Virtuoso software. The celiac trunk, the hepatic artery, and the right and left hepatic arteries were successfully displayed in high detail in all patients. Side branches, including small collaterals, and hepatic artery anastomosis could also be readily visualized. Volume-rendered CTA detected six hepatic artery stenoses, two hepatic artery thromboses, and two intrahepatic pseudoaneurysms. In two cases, CT detected hepatic artery stenosis with a diameter reduction of less than 50%, while digital subtraction angiography showed a normal artery. Volume-rendered multi-detector CTA is a promising non-invasive technique, since it allows images of high quality to be generated with excellent anatomical visualization of the hepatic artery and its complications in liver transplant recipients.

Diagnostic Value of Gadolinium-Enhanced 3D Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Patients With Suspected Hepatic Arterial Complications After Liver Transplantation

To evaluate the accuracy and clinical role of gadolinium-enhanced 3D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in patients with suspected hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation. Thirty-six consecutive MRA studies were performed in 33 liver transplant recipients after transplantation. MRA image quality was assessed subjectively. Thirty-two MRA studies were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with surgery (n = 2), conventional angiography (n = 18), or clinical follow-up (n = 12). MRA findings were also correlated with those of Doppler sonography in 30 of the cases. In 20 cases, concordance between MRA and surgery or conventional angiography was evaluated for each grade of hepatic artery stenosis (normal, mild [<50%], moderate [50-75%], severe [>75%], or occluded). MRA image quality was degraded 13 of 36 cases (36.1%) studies. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRA by consensus reading for more than 50% of hepatic artery stenosis or occlusion were 67%, 90%, and 81.3%, respectively. Of the 19 cases in which Doppler sonography was abnormal, MRA correctly characterized hepatic artery stenosis in 16 (84.2%). MRA also correctly identified all 5 occurrences of celiac artery stenosis. However, MRA overestimated the severity of hepatic arterial stenosis in 3 (15%) of 20 cases and underestimated 5 (25%) of 20 cases. MRA complements Doppler ultrasound to exclude significant hepatic artery stenosis. However, a substantial number of MRA studies were technically inadequate, and MRA demonstrated limited efficacy for correctly grading the severity of hepatic artery stenosis.

Biliary complications following early hepatic arterial insufficiency in liver transplantation

To explore the clinical feature and treatment efficiency of patients with early hepatic arterial insufficiency (HAI) and biliary complications (BC) following liver transplantation (LT). The clinical data of 240 patients receiving LT from February 1999 to February 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. End-to-end choledococholocostomy was applied to 236 patients as the major biliary reconstructive method. Hemodynamic monitoring of the hepatic artery was performed to discover HAT, including hepatic arterial thrombosis (HAT) or hepatic arterial stenosis (HAS) in the first 3 months after transplantation. In HAI Group, 7 cases of stricture of biliary tract and 4 cases of biliary leakage occurred; and 6 cases underwent endoscopic and/or intervention treatment, 4 cases underwent repair of anastomotic stoma and biliary drainage, 1 case underwent medication. Eight patients died and 3 were cured. A total of 32 patients (13.3%) developed biliary complications (BCs), Eleven of the 32 patients with BCs, biliary stricture in 8 cases and biliary leakage in 3 cases, had early HAI (HAI Group) with an incidence of 4.6% for BC with background of HAI (11/236). Another 21 patients with BCs (21/236, 8.7%) did not showed background of HAI (non-HAI Group). Preoperative serum total bilirubin levels were 373.3 +/- 93.9 micromol/L in HAI Group and 110.8 +/- 45.0 micromol/L in non-HAI Group (P = 0.008). Three cases with HAT underwent emergency thrombectomy then the hepatic arterial flow turned to normal. Two cases with HAS received short-term anticoagulant therapy. Recipients with BC underwent radiological and/or endoscopic interventional treatment (n = 6), surgical repair of leak site and biliary drainage (n = 4), and ordinary medication (n = 1). The 1 and 3-year survival rates of HAI Group were 54.6% and 16.4% respectively; both significantly lower than those of non-HAI Group (66.3% and 61.2%, both P = 0.042). The recipients with BC following early HAI are associated with poor outcome. The monitoring protocol of hepatic hemodynamics by color dopplar ultrasonography should be enhanced, which contributes to urgent revascularization or recovery of hepatic hemodynamics. Interventional therapies should be immediately applied and transferred to surgical treatment or even retransplantation when necessary for patients with BC following early HAI.

Hepatic Artery Stenosis in Liver Transplant Recipients: Primary Treatment with Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

To evaluate the efficacy of hepatic artery percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of hepatic artery stenosis (HAS). A retrospective analysis was performed of all cases of HAS documented by angiography from January 1995 to June 2003 at the authors' institution. Management was evaluated and long-term patency was documented by Doppler ultrasonography. The patency, restenosis, and hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) rates were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. The technical success of hepatic artery PTA was stratified according to the location of the stenoses relative to the anastomosis, as well as by the presence of associated hepatic arterial kinks. Thrombosis was seen in 65% +/- 13% of untreated HAS cases within 6 months. Stenotic lesions without associated arterial kinks had an improved technical success rate and a reduced complication rate of 94% and 10%, respectively, compared with lesions with associated hepatic arterial kinks treated with hepatic artery PTA (14% and 29%, respectively). The 1-year primary and primary assisted patency rates of hepatic artery PTA for all lesions were 44% +/- 12% and 60% +/- 11%, respectively, and were 65% +/- 10% and 80% +/- 8%, respectively, for lesions not associated with hepatic arterial kinks. The 1-year HAT rate and restenosis rate after hepatic artery PTA were 19% +/- 10% and 32% +/- 11%, respectively. The 1-year primary assisted patency rate for hepatic artery PTA with repeat PTA performed for restenosed lesions and surgical revascularization performed for failed PTA was 74% +/- 10%. Untreated HAS carries a high morbidity rate. Hepatic artery PTA can play a large role in the management of HAS by reducing the HAT rate more than threefold. With appropriate lesion selection, hepatic artery PTA will have better patency rates than those associated with hepatic artery stent placement.

Clinicopathological Review of 18 Cases of Liver Allografts Lost Due to Bile Duct Necrosis

Clinical, radiographic, and pathological features of 18 patients with biliary necrosis in their explanted liver allografts were reviewed. Twelve patients were men and ages ranged from 27 to 72 years. Indications for initial liver transplant (LT) were viral hepatitis ( n = 7), steatohepatitic cirrhosis ( n = 3), cryptogenic cirrhosis ( n = 3), secondary sclerosing cholangitis ( n = 2), primary sclerosing cholangitis ( n = 1), biliary atresia ( n = 1), and nodular regenerative hyperplasia ( n = 1). Donor age ranged from 16 to 75 years. Duct-to-duct biliary anastomoses were fashioned in 13 cases; warm and cold ischemia times were not significantly different from general LT population. Seventeen allograft biopsies after recirculation had no significant findings. Post-LT, clinical and radiographic evaluation indicated biliary strictures ( n = 7), bile leak ( n = 7), intrahepatic abscess ( n = 1), and duodenal perforation ( n = 1). Radiographic vascular studies suggested hepatic arterial thrombosis or stenosis in 11 cases. Biopsies prior to retransplantation were performed on 17 patients and showed acute rejection ( n = 10), biliary outflow impairment ( n = 4), normal histology ( n = 2), and centrilobular necrosis ( n = 1). Retransplantationwas performed 14 to 334 days after initial LT. Pathological examination of explants revealed perihilar duct necrosis in all cases, with bacterial colonies ( n = 10) and fungal organisms ( n = 2). Arterial thrombi were seen in 10 cases, and two had prominent arteriosclerosis. Infarction and centrilobular necrosis were seen in 9 and 13 cases, respectively. Four explants showed features of biliary outflow impairment. Twelve patients were alive 6 to 18 months following retransplantation. We conclude that post-LT biliary necrosis is associated with ischemia, and such a complication is rarely evident in allograft biopsies. Biliary and vascular imaging studies are essential in evaluating patients for this complication.