Diagnostic challenges in the evaluation of hepatic grafts from donors with HELLP syndrome: case report and review of the literature

Transfer of Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelets Syndrome by a Liver Graft From a Pregnant Female Donor to a Male Recipient: A Case Report

Eclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome is a rare complication of pregnancy. HELLP syndrome may occur up to a week postpartum in women with eclampsia. CASE REPORT: We report a case of liver transplantation with the organ procured from a pregnant (gestation week 28) female donor who suffered brain death after cerebellar hemorrhage owing to eclampsia. Liver function tests were normal at the time of liver procurement. The liver graft was matched to a 62-year-old man with primary sclerosing cholangitis. On day 7 after an uneventful transplantation, the recipient presented with increased aminotransferases and severe thrombocytopenia. The recipient also developed hypertension and hyperthermia and a clinical picture of HELLP syndrome. The patient underwent emergency liver retransplantation on day 12 after the first transplantation. Intraoperatively, massive necrosis of the liver graft with diffuse subcapsular hematomas was seen. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that in our case, HELLP syndrome was transferred to and occurred in a male recipient. Eclampsia in the donor without overt HELLP syndrome may persist and be transferred by liver graft, developing into HELLP syndrome even in a male recipient. Therefore, liver grafts from female donors with eclampsia should be used with caution. Emergency retransplantation may be necessary.