Hepatic Flow Research Articles

Role of surgeon intuition and computer-aided design in Fontan optimization: A computational fluid dynamics simulation study

ObjectiveCustomized Fontan designs, generated by computer-aided design (CAD) and optimized by computational fluid dynamics simulations, can lead to novel, patient-specific Fontan conduits unconstrained by off-the-shelf grafts. The relative contributions of both surgical expertise and CAD to Fontan optimization have not been addressed. In this study, we assessed hemodynamic performance of Fontans designed by both surgeon's unconstrained modeling (SUM) and by CAD. MethodsTen cardiac magnetic resonance imaging datasets were used to create 3-dimensional (3D) models of Fontans. Baseline computational fluid dynamics simulations assessed Fontan indexed power loss (iPL), hepatic flow distribution, and percentage of conduit surface area with abnormally low wall shear stress for venous flow (<1 dyne/cm2). Fontans not meeting thresholds were redesigned using 2 methods: SUM (ie, original venous anatomy without the Fontan was 3D printed and sent to surgeon for Fontan redesign with clay modeling) and CAD (ie, the same 3D geometry was sent to engineers for iterative Fontan redesign guided by computational fluid dynamics). Both groups were blinded to each other's results. ResultsEight Fontans were redesigned by SUM and CAD methods. Both SUM and CAD redesigns met iPL thresholds. SUM had lower iPL, whereas CAD demonstrated balanced hepatic flow distribution and lower wall shear stress percentage. Wall shear stress percentage shared an inverse relationship with iPL, preventing oversized Fontan designs. ConclusionsCustomized Fontan conduits with low iPL can be created by either a surgeon or CAD. CAD can also improve hepatic flow distribution and prevent oversized Fontan designs. Future studies should investigate workflows that combine SUM and CAD to optimize Fontan conduits.

What is the difference in ablation zone of multi-bipolar radiofrequency ablation between liver cirrhosis and normal liver background? – a prospective clinical study

Purpose To explore the differences in ablation zone between liver cirrhosis and normal liver background and investigate the effect of hepatic blood flow on ablation zone of RFA. Methods Between 2017 and 2019, 203 patients who had liver malignancies and underwent percutaneous RFA with Celon bipolar electrodes enrolled into this study. There were 90 patients had liver cirrhosis and 113 patients had normal liver background. They were 63 females and 140 males with average age of 59.0 ± 10.9 years old. Contrast-enhanced CT/MRI was used to evaluate the ablation zone in one month after RFA. The hepatic flow measurements on CDFI and CEUS were performed before RFA. Correlations between ablation zone versus hepatic flow were assessed using multiple linear regression analysis. Results The average ablation zone in cirrhotic liver was significantly larger than those in normal liver background with 3 cm tip of RF electrodes (length 3.5 ± 0.5 vs 3.1 ± 0.4 cm, p = 0.001; width 2.6 ± 0.3 vs 2.2 ± 0.3 cm, p < 0.001; thickness 2.5 ± 0.3 vs 2.0 ± 0.2 cm, p < 0.001). The similar result was found with three 4 cm tip of RF electrodes (width 3.6 ± 0.5 vs 3.1 ± 0.5 cm, p = 0.019; thickness 3.3 ± 0.5 vs 2.7 ± 0.5 cm, p = 0.002). The multiple linear regression analysis showed arrive time of hepatic vein and portal vein was statistically associated with ablation zone with 3 cm electrodes (p < 0.001, p = 0.001), but explained part of the variance (Adjusted R2=0.294, adjusted R2=0.212). Conclusion The ablation zones of RFA with multi-bipolar electrodes in liver cirrhosis were significantly larger than those in normal liver background, being up to 6 mm in thickness. The hepatic flow parameters partly contributed to the ablation zone.

Correlation of Maternal BMI with Foetal Liver Blood Flow and Neonatal Adiposity in Normal Pregnancies and Pregnancies Complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Foetal Growth Restriction

Introduction: The foetus exhibits a wide array of structural and functional adaptations in response to intrauterine conditions, towards protection of vital organs and maintaining the supply of essential nutrients. When oxygen is limited, foetal adaptations prioritise brain growth, irrespective of whether other essential nutrients are limited or not. The hypothesis for this study was that fatty acid synthesis occurs in foetal liver therefore if adaptive changes occur in the hepatic and umbilical flow it will affect fat deposition which will manifest as neonatal adiposity. Aim: Correlation of maternal Basal Metabolic Index (BMI) with Foetal liver blood flow and neonatal adiposity in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Foetal Growth Restriction (FGR) .Materials and Methods: An observational pilot study was carried out in a tertiary care referral hospital of Northern India. Antenatal women were recruited in three groups of singleton uncomplicated pregnancies (40), Women with GDM (31) and women with FGR (29). Maternal characteristics including pre-pregnancy BMI and obstetric ultrasound doppler study were recorded at 35 weeks gestation. The time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMX) was calculated for Umbilical Vein (UV) and Ductus Venosus (DV) as (Vmax) UV and (Vmax) DV. Blood flow (Q) was calculated as Q=h×(D/2)2×p×TAMX. The neonatal biometry and Skin Fold Thickness (SFT) was measured. Statistical techniques used were t-tests for analyses of dichotomous outcomes, Pearson’s correlation (r) and multivariate regression. Results: In mothers with higher DV shunting neonatal adiposity was significantly lower in the FGR group. In the uncomplicated group about 46% of variation in adiposity was explained by all the study variables and overall regression equation was statistically significant (p=0.004). Conclusion: Mothers with low BMI and normal umbilical and middle cerebral doppler flow had higher foetal hepatic flow to improve substrate deposition. DV shunting was significantly higher in hypoxic foetuses with reduced hepatic flow.

1099 Constrictive pericarditis:a challenge in Cardiology

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements none A 50-year old woman had complained about dyspnea and leg swelling despite taking furosemide 80 mgr per day. Her past medical history had included radiation therapy for Hodgkin"s lymphoma, prosthetic heart valves (mechanical MV, AV- INR = 3,2) and permanent pacemaker. Also her coronary vessels were normal. On clinical examination she was non-febrile, the arterial pressure was 120/80mmHg,there was atrial fibrillation at 70 pulses/min at rest and oxygen saturation was 96%. The chest x-ray finding was left pleural effusion. The patient also had ascites. Kidney function was normal without proteinuria. The diagnostic paracentesis and biochemical analysis of ascitic fluid was indicative of transudative fluid.Cytologic analysis was negative for malignancy. Moreover,needle biopsy specimen was subjected to histopathology,which was negative for malignancy. Echocardiography had revealed normal size and function of left ventricle ( LV = 46mm-EF = 60%). The mechanical valves had normal function, without paravalvular leak or masses. Also right ventricle was normal. The pulmonary artery pressure measured by echocardiography was in the normal range (RVSP = 35mmHg), but the inferior vena cava was dilated.There were also dilated hepatic veins and hepatic vein flow reversal.There was variation&amp;gt; 25% in triscupid inflow with respiration. TEE had confirmed the findings of transthoracic echo with regard of prosthetic valves. CT of chest and abdomen findings were no pathologic lymphadenopathy,no pulmonary embolism and absence of tumor compressing inferior vena cava. Chest CT scan had demonstrated pericardium thickening,indicative of constrictive pericarditis. CMR was not performed because of permanent pacemaker. The final step in diagnostic algorithm was cardiac catheterization: a)the pulmonary artery systolic pressure measured during right heart catheterization was 35mmHg. b)dip &amp; plateau’ pattern or ‘square root sign of right ventricle, i.e. pattern of accentuated early dip in diastolic pressure, followed by plateauing in mid-late diastole. c)prominent y wave of right atrium- absent x wave because of AF. d)left ventriculography was not performed because of mechanical aortic valve. At the end constrictive pericarditis was confirmed by the surgical report. According to ESC guidelines a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis is based on the association of signs and symptoms of right heart failure and impaired diastolic filling due to pericardial constriction by one or more imaging methods, including echocardiography, CT, CMR, and cardiac catheterization. However,the most important step is the suspicion of constrictive pericarditis, especially in patients with history of radiation therapy and heart surgery. Abstract 1099 Figure.

Design and realization of a normothermic perfusion system for laboratory tests on pig liver.

Ex vivo testing is a fundamental step in the development of new medical devices; indeed without it, it is impossible to proceed with in vivo tests. At the University of Florence, a robotic tool for microwave thermal ablation is under development. Up to now, the thermoablation tests for the validation of the tool were carried out on non-perfused ex vivo livers, providing results that inevitably differ from those obtainable with an in vivo liver. The aim is to design, and consequently create, a compact and transportable system which allows to perfuse a swine liver with physiological solution and heparin. This device should also allow the organ to be transported from the explantation place to the laboratory, keeping it under normothermal condition. The perfusor was designed to simulate the physiological flow within the liver in the most realistic way possible. The design, construction, and optimization of the perfusor have been addressed using the physiological values of hepatic flow and pressure identified in the literature, neglecting in the first instance any load losses. Therefore, open circuit tests were conducted, validated through perfusion tests on freshly explanted pig liver; during these tests, the surface temperature of the organ was recorded using an infrared camera, and the fluid temperature was verified using an immersion probe. The perfusion test showed a good alignment with the open circuit tests, demonstrating the validity of the simplifications adopted to treat the complex vascular structure of the liver.

Characterization of Doppler spectrum of hepatic veins and correlation with structural and functional variables of the right ventricle in healthy dogs.

BackgroundSpectral Doppler assessment of hepatic veins may provide information on heart function.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo assess the normal pattern of hepatic venous flow using spectral Doppler ultrasound examination; to correlate this information with structural and functional variables of the right ventricle (RV), and to analyze the impact of age, sex, body weight quartiles, heart rate, cardiac rhythm, and systolic arterial pressure on the results in healthy dogs.AnimalsSixty‐five healthy dogs.MethodsCross‐sectional observational study. The direction and maximum velocity of each of the 4 possible components of venous flow were determined from pulsed‐wave Doppler examination of the hepatic veins. In addition, structural and functional parameters (TAPSE, longitudinal strain, FAC%, S′, Et/At, and E′t/ A′t) of the RV were evaluated.ResultsThe same phase patterns for different waves were seen in all animals: A and V were retrograde waves, and S and D were anterograde waves. The velocity of the spectral waves increased with body weight (P < .05) and could be correlated with functional indices of the RV. A significant difference was found when comparing morphometric indices with body weight quartiles (P < .05). In addition, intra‐and inter‐observer assessments showed low variability. The mean duration of the examinations was 5.2 minutes.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceHepatic spectral Doppler findings can be correlated with systolic and diastolic indices of the RV and vary with body weight.

Hepatic Flow Redistribution is Feasible in Patients with Hepatic Malignancies Undergoing Same-Day Work-Up Angiography and Yttrium-90 Microsphere Radioembolization.

To assess the feasibility of performing same-day vascular flow redistribution and Yttrium-90 radioembolization (90Y-RE) for hepatic malignancies. From November 2015 to February 2019, patients undergoing same-day hepatic flow redistribution during work-up angiography, 99mTechnetium-labeled macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) SPECT/CT and 90Y microsphere-RE, were recruited. Within 18h following the delivery of 90Y resin microspheres, an 90Y-PET/CT study was performed. According to patients' vascular anatomy, flow redistribution was performed by microcoil embolization of extrahepatic branches (group A), intrahepatic non-tumoral vessels (group B) and intrahepatic tumoral arteries (group C). The accumulation of 99mTc-MAA particles and microspheres in the redistributed areas was qualitatively evaluated using a 5-point visual scale (grade 1 = < 25% accumulation; grade 5 = 100% accumulation). Differences in the distribution of microspheres among groups were assessed with Mann-Whitney U test. Twenty-two patients were treated for primary (n = 17) and secondary (n = 5) hepatic malignancies. The MAA-SPECT/CT showed uptake in all the redistributed areas. Regarding the accumulation of microspheres within the redistributed segments in all the groups, perfusion patterns were classified as 2 in 1 case, 4 in 6 cases and 5 in 15 cases. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups A and B-C (U value = 34, p = 0.32) and between groups B and C (U value = 26, p = 0.7). Mean predicted absorbed doses by the tumoral and normal hepatic tissues were 163.5 ± 131.2Gy and 60.4 ± 69.3Gy, respectively. Mean total procedure time (from work-up angiography to 90Y delivery) was 401 ± 0.055min. Performing same-day redistribution of the arterial hepatic flow to the target and 90Y-microsphere delivery is feasible in the treatment of liver tumors. Clinical Trials Registry NCT03380130.

Hepatic vein flow index during orthotopic liver transplantation as predictive factor for postoperative early allograft dysfunction

Hepatic vein flow index during orthotopic liver transplantation as predictive factor for postoperative early allograft dysfunction

Intraoperative Assessment of Hepatic Vein Tracings in Constrictive Pericarditis During Surgical Pericardiectomy

CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS is characterized by progressive inflammation and fibrosis of the pericardium. It manifests with symptoms of heart failure. The only effective treatment is surgical pericardiectomy. The assessment and diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis with echocardiography is well described with spontaneous ventilation. However, there are limited data on constrictive pericarditis assessment with transesophageal echocardiography with positive pressure ventilation. Also, intraoperative hepatic venous Doppler flow mostly is used intraoperatively to assess the severity of tricuspid regurgitation by focusing on the flow reversal during systole. In this e-challenge, the authors focus on the hepatic vein Doppler tracing as a means to show improvement in diastolic function during positive pressure ventilation in a patient undergoing pericardiectomy. This case demonstrates a severely blunted diastolic flow pattern in the hepatic vein that is reversed after successful pericardiectomy. Also, it shows blunted flow during systole compared to diastole post-pericardiectomy, indicating high right atrial pressure.

TianJiu therapy for α-naphthyl isothiocyanate-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in rats treated with fresh Ranunculus sceleratus L.

TianJiu (TJ) therapy, one type of cold moxibustion, applies to specific acupuncture points with herbal patches of hot nature, providing a constant irritant to the skin until the presence of hyperemia and blistering. Traditional and clinical reports suggest that TJ is an effective therapy for the treatment of jaundice with fresh Ranunculus sceleratus L. (RS), in which protoanemonin is one of the main irritant constituents. However, the therapeutic effect of TJ treatment with fresh RS against intrahepatic cholestasis has not been studied in animal experiments. Present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of TJ treatment with fresh RS against intrahepatic cholestasis in rats and provide an experimental basis for the underlying mechanism of TJ therapy. Male intrahepatic cholestatic Sprague-Dawley rats induced by 2% α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT, 80 mg/kg B.W.) were treated by TJ therapy with fresh RS. The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin (DBIL), total bilirubin (TBIL), total bile acid (TBA), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric monoxide (NO), as well as hepatic body ratio, bile flow and hepatic histopathological assay were measured and evaluated to investigate the therapeutic effect of TJ treatment with fresh RS. Phytochemical analysis of fresh and dried RS was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). After TJ treatment with fresh RS, the abnormally elevated levels of serum AST, ALT, ALP, DBIL, TBIL and TBA, as well as hepatic MDA and NO at 108 h were reduced significantly (versus model group, P < 0.01). The hepatic body ratio, bile flow and hepatic pathological change of cholestatic rats at 108 h in TJ group were restored when compared with those of model group. Thirty-one compounds including lactones, flavonoids and phenolic acids were identified and determined by GC-MS analysis. The content of protoanemonin in fresh RS (9.49%) was about 25-fold higher than that in dried RS (0.38%). TJ treatment with fresh RS exhibited good therapeutic effect on ANIT-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in rats, which may be due to the attenuated oxidative stress in the liver tissue. It is rational for the ancients to choose fresh RS as TJ herbal patches because of its abundant protoanemonin with the character of irritant. The qualitative and quantitative results of GC-MS analysis provided the chemical basis of TJ therapy with fresh RS, which can be regarded as a simple and efficient method for the treatment of cholestasis hepatitis.

6067Right ventricular global longitudinal strain predicts cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation

Abstract Background Functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) and its increasing severity are well-known factors associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension or left heart diseases. Purpose To assess the main clinical and echocardiographic determinants of outcome in patients with various causes of FTR. Methods A total of 140 patients (pts) (72±14 years, 40% men) with FTR of diverse etiologies underwent complete 2D and additional 3D echocardiography acquisitions and were followed for a median of 5.2 years (interquartile range 2.1 - 6.7 years). Severe FTR was defined by ≥2 parameters: (1) coaptation defect; (2) vena contract ≥7; (3) PISA radius &gt;9 mm; (4) hepatic vein systolic flow reversal. The primary composite outcome was defined as death from cardiovascular causes and hospitalization due to right-sided heart failure (HF). Results 74 pts (53%) developed the primary composite outcome. Death occurred in 31 pts (22%), while hospitalization due to right-sided HF occurred in 66 pts (47%). At baseline, patients who developed the primary composite outcome, compared to those who did not, had more symptoms, more severe FTR, higher pulmonary systolic pressure (60±27 vs 43±16 mmHg), larger right atrium (69±34 vs 51±22 mL/mm2), right ventricular (RV) basal diameter (29±6 vs 24±4 mm/m2), larger RV end-diastolic (102±45 vs 76±25 mL/m2) and end-systolic (62±37 vs 43±17 mL/m2) volumes, larger tricuspid annulus area (7.7±1.8 vs 6.8±1.8 cm2/m2), lower RV systolic function (RVEF [42±11 vs 46±8%], TAPSE [18±4 vs 21±4], S' [11±3 vs 12±2], RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) [16±5 vs 19±4], RV free wall longitudinal strain [19±7 vs 23.5]); all p-values &lt;0.03. There were no significant differences in age, body size or comorbidities. After multivariable Cox regression analysis, FTR grade severity (hazard ratio [HR]=2.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.14–4.06, p&lt;0.001) and RVGLS (HR= 0.91, 95% CI 0.86–0.95) were the only independent predictors of mortality. A cutoff of −17.5 for RVGLS had 57% sensitivity, 73% specificity and a HR of 2.34 (95% CI of 1.42–3.88, p-value=0.001). The Kaplan Meier survival curve showed that patients with an RVGLS ≥ −17.5 had a higher probability of developing the primary composite outcome, especially at an earlier phase of the follow up when compared to those with higher LS (log rank test chi-square = 13.0, p&lt;0.001) (Figure). At the end of follow up, 60% of patients with a RVGLS ≥-17.5 did not developed the primary composite outcome vs 29% in the group with a LS lower than −17.5. Kaplan-Meier curve of outcome by RVGLS Conclusions In patients with FTR, a decreased RVGLS, with a cutoff of −17.5, proved to be an independent prognostic factor for the development of HF hospitalizations and death from cardiovascular causes.

5938Mortality risk stratification in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation - Insights from the Tricuspid Regurgitation REgistry (TRuE)

Abstract Background/Introduction Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with progressive right atrial (RA) and ventricular (RV) dilation, dysfunction and increased mortality. Risk factors impacting the long-term prognosis in patients with severe TR are largely undetermined. Purpose Herein, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with long-term mortality in patients with severe TR and implement a novel risk stratification strategy based on an individual five-year mortality prediction score. Methods From January 2013 to December 2017, 1238 patients with severe functional TR were enrolled in the TRuE-registry, of which 914 with a complete dataset were included in the present study. Echocardiographic quantification of RV-function and size included measurements of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), the end-diastolic basal (RVDbasal) and longitudinal diameters (RVDlong) and the RA-volume index (RAVI). The cohort was randomly divided into a development (n=610) and validation (n=304) sample. A risk stratification model was developed using a multivariable Cox regression. Results The variables statistically significant to predict five-year-mortality, included in the final model and used as score parameters were: age, COPD, dialysis, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, RAVI, TAPSE RVDbasal, RVDlong and systolic hepatic vein flow reversal (sHVFR). Progressive enlargement of RV and RA and concomitant sHVFR was associated with higher values of hazard ratios (HR, Figure A). Based on the HR values, a risk score with 3 categories was developed (Figure B): low (0–2), intermediate (3–5), high (6–16). Among the risk groups, Kaplan Meier estimates of all-cause mortality at 5 years were 18%, 52% and 84% respectively (p&lt;0.001; https://thetruerisk.com). The score showed good discrimination, with a concordance index of 0.75. At internal validation, a good agreement between the derivation and validation datasets indicated a good calibration of the survival curves. Implementation of a long term risk score Conclusion The present study demonstrates the prognostic impact of comorbidities and right heart remodeling on long-term mortality in patients with severe TR. The presented risk score provides an easy and accurate estimation of long-term mortality and may thus help to guide therapeutic decision-making in this difficult group of patients.

Impact on the hepatic flow velocity after pediatric combined liver-kidney transplantation compared to isolated pediatric liver transplantation-A matched-pair analysis.

Combined liver-kidney transplantation (CLKT) in children is still a rarely performed procedure. Our aim was to analyze the effect of the simultaneous transplantation of the kidney in pediatric CLKT on the liver graft flow velocity, and vascular complications compared to singular liver transplantation (LTX) in children. All pediatric CLKT performed at our institution from 1998 to 2016 were matched with singular LTX and retrospectively analyzed. Overall 30 CLKT were performed in 28 children (median age 8years, range 1-16) and matched with 30 children undergoing singular LTX (median age 7.9years, range 1-16). No significant differences were found concerning the systolic peak flow velocity of the hepatic artery (HA) or the resistance index (RI). Vascular complications of the hepatic vessels occurred in 16.7% (CLKT) and 6.7% (LTX). The 1-/5- and 10-year patient survival was 93.3%/93.3% and 93.3% (CLKT) and 100%/100% and 92.9% (LTX). 1-/5-and 10-year liver graft survival was 76.7%/73.2% and 73.2% (CLKT) and 84.4%/75.9% and 69.6% (LTX). The simultaneous transplantation of the kidney in CLKT had no negative impact on hepatic flow velocity or vascular complications. Frequent Doppler ultrasound examinations, accurate volume management, and avoidance of abdominal pressure might be an explanation for the results and an excellent graft- and patient survival.

Hepatic Bile Formation: Canalicular Osmolarity and Paracellular and Transcellular Water Flow.

The purpose of this minireview is to show that a new paradigm is developing regarding hepatic bile flow. The focus thus far has been on carrier-mediated transport of bile acids and other solutes, such as glutathione, which create an osmotic gradient for the transcellular and paracellular flow of water into canaliculi. In addition to the physicochemical properties of bile acids, which govern the osmotic gradient, data now exist showing that the tight junctions governing paracellular water flow and Aquaporin-8 water channels governing transcellular water flow are regulated independently. Thus, the rate of water flow into the canaliculus in response to bile acid transport is variable and determines canalicular bile acid concentration, which affects the production and solubilization of cholesterol-lecithin vesicles. These new considerations modify thinking regarding the occurrence of cholestasis and its progression and reorient the design of experimental studies that can distinguish the different determinants of bile flow. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The paradigm that water flow into the canaliculus is determined only by the rate of carrier-mediated transport has been challenged recently by the changes that occur in hepatic bile composition in the Claudin-2 knockout mouse and with the cholestatic effect of estradiol 17β-d-glucuronide. Thus, a respective reduction in paracellular or transcellular canalicular water flow, probably via Aquaporin 8, has no significant effect on bile acid excretion.

Hepatic flow is an intraoperative predictor of early allograft dysfunction in whole-graft deceased donor liver transplantation: An observational cohort study.

BACKGROUNDEarly allograft dysfunction (EAD) after liver transplantation (LT) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. To ensure adequate graft function, a critical hepatocellular mass is required in addition to an appropriate blood supply. We hypothesized that intraoperative measurement of portal venous and hepatic arterial flow may serve as a predictor in the diagnosis of EAD.AIMTo study whether hepatic flow is an independent predictor of EAD following LT.METHODSThis is an observational cohort study in a single institution. Hepatic arterial blood flow and portal venous blood flow were measured intraoperatively by transit flow. EAD was defined using the Olthoff criteria. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the intraoperative predictors of EAD. Survival analysis and prognostic factor analysis were performed using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models.RESULTSA total of 195 liver transplant procedures were performed between January 2008 and December 2014 in 188 patients. A total of 54 (27.7%) patients developed EAD. The median follow-up was 39 mo. Portal venous flow, hepatic arterial flow (HAF) and total hepatic arterial flow were associated with EAD in both the univariate and multivariate analyses. HAF is an independent prognostic factor for 30-d patient mortality.CONCLUSIONIntraoperative measurement of blood flow after reperfusion appears to be a predictor of EAD; Moreover, HAF should be considered a predictor of 30-d patient mortality.

Tricuspid regurgitation and long-term clinical outcomes.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a frequent echocardiographic finding; however, its effect on outcome is unclear. The objectives of current study were to evaluate the impact of TR severity on heart failure hospitalization and mortality. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive echocardiograms performed between 2011 and 2016 at the Tel-Aviv Medical Center. TR severity was determined using semi-quantitative approach including colour jet area, vena contracta width, density of continuous Doppler jet, hepatic vein flow pattern, trans-tricuspid inflow pattern, annular diameter, right ventricle, and right atrial size. Major comorbidities, re-admissions and all-cause mortality were extracted from the electronic health records. The final analysis included 33305 patients with median follow-up period of 3.34 years (interquartile range 2.11-4.54). TR (≥mild) was present in 31% of our cohort. One-year mortality rates were 7.7% for patients with no/trivial TR, 16.8% for patients with mild TR, 29.5% for moderate TR, and 45.6% for patients with severe TR (P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated a positive correlation between TR severity and overall mortality and rates of heart failure re-admission after adjustment for potential confounders. The proportional hazards method for overall mortality showed that patients with moderate [hazard ratio (HR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.3, P = 0.024] and severe TR (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.08-1.88, P = 0.011) had a worse prognosis than those with no or minimal TR. The presence of any degree of TR is associated with adverse clinical outcome. At least moderate TR is independently associated with increased mortality.

Cross-Sectional Magnetic Resonance and Modeling Comparison From Just After Fontan to the Teen Years

Little is known of baseline anatomic, hemodynamic, and fluid dynamic cardiac magnetic resonance data in single-ventricle patients immediately after Fontan. A comparison from that time point to the teen years can demonstrate clinical course, potentially predict future events, and may shed some light regarding how to optimize outcome. This cross-sectional study is meant to characterize these variables from just after Fontan to the teenage years. The anatomy, flows, and computational fluid dynamic modeling of 22 patients 3 to 9 months after Fontan (age 3 ± 1.1 years) and 25 teens (age 16 ± 1.8 years) were compared. Significance was defined as P less than .05. The percentage of Fontan pathway stenosis was greater with cardiac index and fenestration flow while caval return was lower in teens than in younger patients (for Fontan pathway stenosis, 43% vs 21%, P= .009); however, hepatic flow distribution was more evenly distributed in older patients. Pulmonary artery size kept up with somatic growth. In the teen group, indexed power loss (R= .39), percentage of Fontan pathway stenosis (R= .62), and particle resident time (R= .42) deteriorated as time from Fontan increased (P < .04 for all). There are mostly aspects of deterioration with a few bright spots of stability in anatomy, blood flow, and fluid dynamic variables in Fontan patients from the postoperative period to the teenage years. Most notably, Fontan pathway stenosis increases with decreasing flows while pulmonary artery size and hepatic flow distribution remain stable or improved. These data may be aid in designing improved Fontan reconstruction to optimize clinical outcome and to understand future complications.

One-year survival impact of early right ventricular diastolic dysfunction after lung transplantation

Introduction Right ventricular (RV) diastolic dysfunction is known to be associated with increased mortality in heart failure or cardiac surgical patients (pts). However, after lung transplantation (LTx), the impact of early RV diastolic dysfunction on 1-year survival, in a population without pulmonary hypertension, is not well documented. Methods We routinely perform a comprehensive transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) after ICU admission of LTx patients (pts) to check the pulmonary veins’ patency. After exclusion of pts transplanted for pulmonary hypertension and of pts under ECMO, we retrospectively reviewed the diastolic RV parameters acquired during this TOE. At that time, all pts were mechanically ventilated. RV diastolic function was explored by tricuspid peak early and late velocities (E and A waves) (pulsed-wave Doppler (PW) through the tricuspid valve), early diastolic peak velocity (Ea) of the lateral tricuspid annulus (PW-TDI), hepatic venous flow (HVF) pattern (PW Doppler), and characterized as normal or abnormal according to the algorithm validated by Shi et al. One-year survival status was recorded. Continuous variables are presented as median [interquartile range] and analysed with Mann-Whitney U test. Dichotomous variables are presented as numbers (%) and analysed with Chi-Squared test. Results From May 2008 to March 2018, RV diastolic data were available in 69 pts. Indications for LTx were COPD in 51 pts (73.9%), fibrosis in 12 (17.4%), bronchiectasis in 1 pt (1.5%) and other indications in 5 (7.2%). RV diastolic function was categorized as abnormal in 47pts. One-year survival rate was 72.3% (34/47) in the group with early RV diastolic dysfunction and 95.4% (1/22) in the group with normal RV diastolic function (P = 0.027). Discussion Based on these retrospective TOE data in this single-center experience, occurrence of early RV diastolic dysfunction after LTx seems to be associated with impaired 1-year survival. Further prospective data are needed to confirm these preliminary observations.

Comparative study on selective hepatic vascular exclsion and total hepatic vascular exclusion for hepatic trauma with major hepatic vein injury

Objective To compare the effect of selective hepatic vascular exclsion (SHVE) and total hepatic vascular exclusion (THVE) in the treatment of hepatic trauma with major hepatic vein injury. Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 42 patients with hepatic trauma accompanied by hepatic vein injury admitted to multiple centers from April 2000 to December 2017. There were 30 males and 12 females, aged 14-65 years [(40.2±18.8)years]. Blood flow exclusion was operated through HVE in 22 patients (SHVE group) and through THVE in 20 patients (THVE group). SHVE group included 22 patients (16 males and six females), aged (40.1±19.4)years. There were 10 patients with grade IV and 12 with grade V according to American Association of Traumatic Surgery (AAST) classification of liver injury. In terms of the hepatic vein injury, there were 13 patients with type I, eight with type III, and one with type IV. THVE group included 20 patients (14 males and six females), aged (39.9±18.2)years. There were nine patients with grade IV and 11 with grade V according to AAST classification of liver injury. In terms of the hepatic vein injury, there were 11 patients with type I, seven with type III, and two with type IV. The operation approach, operation time, hepatic warm ischemia time, blocking time of hepatic vein blood flow, amount of abdominal hemorrhage, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, intraoperative infusion, total blood transfusion, length of ICU stay after operation, length of hospital stay after operation, function of liver and kidney after operation, incidence of complications and mortality were compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences in the amount of abdominal hemorrhage, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, perioperative blood transfusion, surgical procedure, and postoperative liver and kidney function between the two groups (P>0.05). The THVE group had significantly longer operation time, hepatic warm ischemia time, hepatic venous blood flow blocking time, postoperative ICU time and postoperative hospital stay than the SHVE group (P<0.05). The amount of infusion in the SHVE group was less than that in the THVE group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in SHVE group was 27% (6/22), lower than that in THVE group [60% (12/20)] (P<0.05). The mortality of SHVE group was 14% (3/22), lower than that of THVE group [45% (9/20)](P<0.05). Conclusions SHVE and THVE can effectively control bleeding in the treatment of hepatic trauma with main hepatic vein injury. SHVE has more advantages over THVE in shortening operation time, warm ischemia time of liver, blocking time of hepatic vein blood flow, ICU stay after operation, hospital stay after operation and reducing intraoperative infusion volume, and can reduce the incidence of complications and mortality. Key words: Digestive system diseases; Liver; Hepatic veins; Hepatic vascular exclusion

A computational model for hepatotoxicity by coupling drug transport and acetaminophen metabolism equations.

The spatial distributions of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and glutathione (GSH) in liver lobules determine the heterogeneous hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen (APAP). Their interplay in conjunction with blood flow is not well understood. In this paper, we integrate a cellular APAP metabolism model with a sinusoidal blood flow to simulate the temporal-spatial patterns of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The heterogeneous distribution of CYP450 and GSH is modeled by linearly varying their reaction rates along the portal triad to the central vein axis of a sinusoid. We found that the spatial distribution of GSH, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), and CYP450 all contributes to the high acetaminophen protein adduct formation at zone 3 of the lobules. The reversed spatial gradients of CYP450 and GSH cause quick depletion of GSH, which is further accelerated by the distribution of GST. The hepatic flow congestion and hyperperfusion however do not seem to play a significant role in the zonal hepatotoxicity. The simulation results may be useful for understanding the APAP-induced hepatotoxicity and associated pharmaceutical treatment.