Diagnosis and outcomes of collateral arterial formation after irreversible early hepatic artery thrombosis in pediatric liver recipients

Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence imaging to predict early hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation

The purpose of this study was to propose an innovative intraoperative criterion in a liver transplantation setting that would judge arterial flow abnormality that may lead to early hepatic arterial occlusion, that is, thrombosis or stenosis, when left untreated and to carry out reanastomosis. After liver graft implantation, and after ensuring that there is no abnormality on the Doppler ultrasound (qualitative and quantitative assessment), we intraoperatively injected indocyanine green dye (0.01 mg/Kg), and we quantified the fluorescence signal at the graft pedicle using ImageJ software. From the obtained images of 89 adult patients transplanted in our center between September 2017 and April 2019, we constructed fluorescence intensity curves of the hepatic arterial signal and examined their relationship with the occurrence of early hepatic arterial occlusion (thrombosis or stenosis). Early hepatic arterial occlusion occurred in 7 patients (7.8%), including 3 thrombosis and 4 stenosis. Among various parameters of the flow intensity curve analyzed, the ratio of peak to plateau fluorescence intensity and the jagged wave pattern at the plateau phase were closely associated with this dreaded event. By combining the ratio of peak to plateau at 0.275 and a jagged wave, we best predicted the occurrence of early hepatic arterial occlusion and thrombosis, with sensitivity/specificity of 0.86/0.98 and 1.00/0.94, respectively. Through a simple composite parameter, the indocyanine green fluorescence imaging system is an additional and promising intraoperative modality for identifying recipients of transplant at high risk of developing early hepatic arterial occlusion. This tool could assist the surgeon in the decision to redo the anastomosis despite normal Doppler ultrasonography.

Treatment strategies for hepatic artery complications after pediatric liver transplantation: A systematic review

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments for hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) after pediatric liver transplantation. We systematically reviewed studies published since 2000 that investigated the management of HAT and/or HAS after pediatric liver transplantation. Studies with a minimum of 5 patients in one of the treatment methods were included. The primary outcomes were technical success rate and graft and patient survival. The secondary outcomes were hepatic artery patency, complications, and incidence of HAT and HAS. Of 3570 studies, we included 19 studies with 328 patients. The incidence was 6.2% for HAT and 4.1% for HAS. Patients with an early HAT treated with surgical revascularization had a median graft survival of 45.7% (interquartile range, 30.7%-60%) and a patient survival of 61.3% (interquartile range, 58.7%-66.9%) compared with the other treatments (conservative, endovascular revascularization, or retransplantation). As for HAS, endovascular and surgical revascularization groups had a patient survival of 85.7% and 100% (interquartile range, 85%-100%), respectively. Despite various treatment methods, HAT after pediatric liver transplantation remains a significant issue that has profound effects on the patient and graft survival. Current evidence is insufficient to determine the most effective treatment for preventing graft failure.

The Impact of Hepatic Artery Thrombosis on the Outcome of Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantations

The aim of our study was to assess risk factors for hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and to evaluate the impact of HAT management on long-term outcomes after pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We retrospectively analyzed 400 patients who underwent primary LDLT between 1999 and 2020. We compared preoperative data, surgical factors, complications, and patient and graft survivals in patients with HAT (HAT Group) and without HAT (non-HAT Group). A total of 27 patients (6.75%) developed HAT. Acute liver failure, a hepatic artery (HA) anastomosis diameter below 2 mm, and intraoperative HA flow dysfunction were significantly more common in the HAT Group (p < 0.05, p = 0.02026, and p = 0.0019, respectively). In the HAT Group, 21 patients (77.8%) underwent urgent surgical revision. The incidence of biliary stenosis and retransplantation was significantly higher in the HAT Group (p = 0.00002 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Patient and graft survivals were significantly worse in the HAT Group (p < 0.05). The close monitoring of HA flow with Doppler ultrasound during the critical period of 2 to 3 weeks after LDLT and the immediate attempt of surgical revascularization may attenuate the elevated risk of biliary stenosis, graft loss, and the need for retransplantation due to HAT.

Management and outcome of hepatic artery thrombosis after pediatric liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Pediatric LT are at particular risk of HAT, and its management still constitutes a matter of debate. Our purpose was to study predisposing factors and outcome of HAT post-LT, including the impact of surgical revisions on survival and biliary complications.

METHODS

Among 882 primary pediatric LT performed between 1993 and 2015, 36 HAT were encountered (4.1%, 35 fully documented). Each HAT case was retrospectively paired with a LT recipient without HAT, according to diagnosis, age at LT, type of graft, and era.

RESULTS

Five-year patient survivals were 77.0% versus 83.9% in HAT and non-HAT paired groups, respectively (P = .321). Corresponding graft survivals were 20.0% versus 80.5% (P < .001), and retransplantation rates 77.7% versus 10.7%, respectively (P < .001). One-year biliary complication-free survivals were 16.6% versus 83.8% in the HAT and non-HAT groups, respectively (P < .001). Regarding chronology of surgical re-exploration, only HAT cases that occurred within 14 days post-LT were re-operated, fourteen of them being explored within 7 days post-LT (revascularization rate: 6/14), versus two beyond 7 days (no revascularization). When revascularization was achieved, graft and biliary complication-free survival rates at 1 year were 33.3% and 22.2%, respectively, both rates being 0.0% in case of failure.

CONCLUSIONS

The pejorative prognosis associated with HAT in terms of graft survival is confirmed, whereas patient survival could be preserved through retransplantation. Results suggest that HAT should be re-operated if occurring within 7 days post-LT, but not beyond.

Time is of the essence: A single-center experience of hepatic arterial supply impairment management in pediatric liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Impairment of hepatic arterial flow including hepatic arterial thrombosis (HAT), hepatic arterial stenosis (HAS), and splenic artery steal syndrome (SASS) is potentially life-threatening complications. The proposed early diagnosis and urgent treatment strategy of graft arterial flow reduction aim to decrease morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

Pediatric patients with known hepatic arterial flow impairment were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped by occlusive (HAT) and non-occlusive (HAS/SASS) arterial flow reduction. Patients with HAT were further divided in two groups based on the estimated maximal hepatic artery occlusion time ≤8 and >8 hours.

RESULTS

Impairment of hepatic arterial flow developed in 32 of 416 pediatric liver transplant recipients. HAT, HAS, and SASS incidences were 4.1% (n = 17), 2.2% (n = 9), and 1.4% (n = 6), respectively. Neither graft loss nor death occurred in the non-occlusive group. The probabilities of sepsis (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.14-2.53; P=.008) and graft loss or death (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.04-1.92; P=.046) were higher in the occlusive group. Patients with estimated maximal duration of hepatic artery occlusion ≤ 8 hours (n = 7; 41.2%) did not have ischemic-type biliary lesions and sepsis (P=.044 and 0.010, respectively) but had excellent 3-year graft survival compared with > 8 hours group (100% vs 40%; P=.037). Multivariate analysis revealed HAT manifestation by fever was associated with increased chances of graft loss or death.

CONCLUSION

Occlusive arterial complications impose higher risks of graft loss and death. Thorough arterial supply monitoring by Doppler ultrasonography and urgent endovascular arterial flow restoration may salvage both graft and the recipient.

An Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Patient Survived Without Hepatic Artery Flow Due to Thrombosis: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), a serious complication after orthotopic liver transplantation, almost always leads to morbidity and mortality without urgent revascularization or retransplantation, especially if HAT occurs within a few days after transplantation.

CASE PRESENTATION

Herein we describe a case report of an orthotopic liver transplantation patient surviving without hepatic artery flow due to HAT on postoperative day 1. Reanastomosis, thrombectomy, and intra-arterial thrombolysis were performed, but only retrograde arterial flow by Doppler ultrasound, not by angiography, could be demonstrated in the hepatic artery. This case report is in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the Declaration of Istanbul.

CONCLUSION

Based on the evidence from this patient, we believe that patients with failed revascularization can experience a long-term survival with conservative treatment. Retransplantation should be evaluated based on laboratory findings because graft function in individual patients can recover.

Pediatric Hepatobiliary Interventions in the Setting of Intrahepatic Vascular Malformations, Portal Hypertension, and Liver Transplant

Within the broad spectrum of pediatric hepatobiliary disorders, hepatic vascular malformations, portal hypertension, and hepatic transplant interventions pose numerous challenges. The role of interventional radiology within each of these conditions is discussed herein, beginning with endovascular management of high flow hepatic vascular malformations. Next, while becoming less common in adult populations, surgical portoportal and portosystemic shunts remain prevalent in many pediatric centers. Shunt anatomy is reviewed along with endovascular management techniques for shunt dysfunction. Next, the growing experience with pediatric transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement is reviewed along with tips for success in pediatric patients. Finally, pediatric hepatic transplant interventions are discussed with technical notes pertinent to split liver anatomy.