Coexistence of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and fibropolycystic liver disease

Perioperative Complications and Long-Term Follow-Up of Liver Transplantation in Hemorrhagic Hereditary Telangiectasia: Report of Three Cases and Systematic Review

The aim was to describe three patients with hemorrhagic hereditary telangiectasia (HHT) requiring liver transplantation (LT) and to perform a systematic review focusing on surgical complications and long-term follow-up. Unrestricted searches of the Medline and Embase databases were performed through February 2022. Forty-five studies were selected including 80 patients plus the three new reported patients, 68 (81.9%) were female and mean age was 50 (27–72) years. Main indications for LT were high-output cardiac failure (n = 40; 48.2%), ischemic cholangitis (n = 19; 22.9%), and a combination of both conditions (n = 13;15.6%). Mean cold ischemic time and red blood cell units transfused during LT were 554 (300–941) minutes and 11.4 (0–88) units, respectively. Complications within 30 days were described in 28 (33.7%) patients, mainly bleeding complications in 13 patients, hepatic artery (HA) thrombosis in four and hepatic vein thrombosis in one. Mean follow-up was 76.4 (1–288) months, and during it, four new patients developed thrombotic complications in HA, HA aneurysm, celiac artery, and the portal–splenic–mesenteric vein. HHT relapse in the transplant allograft was detected in 13 (17.1%) patients after 1–19 years (including two fatal recurrences). Overall mortality was 12%. In conclusion, previous assessment of HA anatomy and hyperdynamic circulatory state could reduce LT complications. The risk of relapse in the hepatic graft supports a multidisciplinary follow-up for HHT patients with LT.

De Novo Vascular Lesions After Liver Transplant in a Case With Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and Fibropolycystic Liver Disease: Long-Term Follow-Up With Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Angiography

We report a case of a 62-year-old woman who received a liver transplant 19 years previously for end-stage liver disease due to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and fibropolycystic liver disease. During long-term follow-up 8 years after the liver transplant, de novo vascular lesions were detected with magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography. Hepatic vascular lesions had slowly progressed, despite no symptoms. To our knowledge, there are few reports in the English literature of de novo vascular lesions after liver transplant in patients with hepatic telangiectasias.

The Role of Liver Transplantation in the Treatment of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Short Literature Review

The liver is involved in up to 73% of patients suffering from hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), but only some of them become symptomatic. Although management is often conservative, sometimes a more aggressive approach is required. The role of surgery is still undefined. Open ligation, banding, or closure of the arteriovenous malformation feeding artery have been proposed but rejected, as they are followed by an unacceptably high incidence of complications, derived from ischemia of the biliary tree. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has been successfully attempted in 28 patients with cardiac, biliary, or portal hypertension as well as mixed clinical presentations. Twenty-four were alive at time of data collection. Cardiovascular and pulmonary functions have improved after the operation in most cases. Intrahepatic relapse of the hallmark lesion of the disease (telangiectasia and arterovenous malformation) has been recently described in two cases. OLT represents a valuable therapeutic option for hepatic-based HHT, provided early diagnosis and referral to a specialized unit.

Liver involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)

Liver involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) consists of extensive intrahepatic vascular malformations associated with blood shunting (arteriovenous, arterioportal and/or portovenous). It is a rare disorder that nevertheless can result in significant systemic and hepatobiliary abnormalities. Although hepatic vascular malformations are present in a majority of patients with HHT, symptoms occur in a only a minority with a clear predominance for the female gender. Symptoms from liver vascular malformations are often misdiagnosed and this can lead to potentially harmful interventions. In this review article, clinical findings of liver involvement in HHT and their pathophysiology are discussed as well as diagnostic methodologies, therapies used and their outcome. Data presented is based on a review of the literature performed in October 2006 using the following MEDLINE search terms: (hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia [ALL] OR Rendu-Osler-Weber [ALL]) AND (liver OR hepatic [ALL]). Papers were considered if they were published in English and if they included specific cases that were sufficiently described.

Liver transplantation for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: Report of the European liver transplant registry

BACKGROUND

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) or Rendu-Osler-Weber disease is a rare disease characterized by the presence of arteriovenous malformations. Hepatic involvement can lead to life-threatening conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty patients, reported to the European Liver Transplant Registry, were analyzed to define the role of liver transplantation in the treatment of the hepatic disease form. Indications for transplantation were classified according to Garcia-Tsao: cardiac failure (14 patients), biliary necrosis causing hepatic failure (12 patients), severe portal hypertension (5 patients), cardiac failure and biliary necrosis (6 patients), cardiac failure and portal hypertension (2 patients), and cardiac failure associated with biliary necrosis and portal hypertension (1 patient). Eighteen (81%) of 22 patients had pulmonary artery hypertension. Twelve (30%) patients had pretransplant hepatic interventions. Follow-up was complete for all patients with a mean of 69 months (range, 0-230 months).

RESULTS

One-, 5- and 10-year actuarial patient and graft survival rates are 82.5%. Six of the 7 pretransplant procedures performed on the hepatic artery were severely complicated. Cardiovascular function documented in 24 patients improved in 18 patients and remained stable in 5 patients; 1 patient died perioperatively of acute heart failure. Twenty-four (60%) patients had post-transplant complications, all but one occurring within the first 4 posttransplant months. Seven (17.5%) patients died perioperatively, 6 of them due to bleeding and 1 due to cardiac failure; 1 (2.5%) patient died late due to chronic rejection. There were 2 possible recurrences. Quality of life markedly improved in all 32 surviving patients.

CONCLUSION

The results of the largest reported transplant series in the treatment of hepatic-based HHT are excellent. Elimination of hepatobiliary sepsis and reversal of cardiopulmonary changes dramatically improve quality of life of the recipients. LT should be proposed earlier in the course of symptomatic hepatic HHT presenting with life-threatening conditions. Palliative interventions, especially on the hepatic artery, should be avoided in view of their high (infectious) complication rate.

Liver transplantation for cardiac failure in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Liver involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia may lead to high-output cardiac failure. Few data have been reported on orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for these patients. In this paper, we describe two patients treated by OLT as a salvage procedure for cardiac failure, and we review literature on this subject. Our two patients resumed normal cardiac function after OLT. This procedure appears to be a promising therapy with good long-term results despite dissection difficulties encountered due to the collateral arterial network reorganization.

Hepatic artery embolization for treatment of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and symptomatic hepatic vascular malformations

At present there is no established therapy for treating patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and symptomatic hepatic involvement. We present the results of a prospective study with 15 consecutive patients who were treated with staged hepatic artery embolization (HAE). Branches of the hepatic artery were selectively catheterized and embolized in stages using polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA) and platinum microcoils or steel macrocoils. Prophylactic antibiotics, analgesics and anti-emetics were administered after every embolization. Clinical symptomatology and cardiac output were assessed before and after therapy as well as at the end of follow-up (median 28 months; range 10-136 months). Five patients had abdominal pain and four patients had symptoms of portal hypertension. The cardiac output was raised in all patients, with cardiac failure being present in 11 patients. After treatment, pain resolved in all five patients, and portal hypertension improved in two of the four patients. The mean cardiac output decreased significantly ( P<0.001) from 12.57+/-3.27 l/min pre-treatment to 8.36+/-2.60 l/min at the end of follow-up. Symptoms arising from cardiac failure resolved or improved markedly in all but one patient. Cholangitis and/or cholecystitis occurred in three patients of whom two required a cholecystectomy. One patient with pre-existent hepatic cirrhosis died as a complication of the procedure. Staged HAE yields long-term relief of clinical symptoms in patients with HHT and hepatic involvement. Patients with pre-existing hepatic cirrhosis may be poor candidates for HAE.

Liver disease in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, is an hereditary disorder that results in fibrovascular dysplasia with the development of telangiectasias and arteriovenous malformations. It predominantly involves the skin, mucous membranes, viscera, lungs, and brain. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia shows great genetic heterogeneity, and its phenotypes have been classified based on the recently identified mutated genes: endoglin (HHT-1) and activin-like kinase receptor-1 (HHT-2). Other families with phenotypic HHT do not bear these mutations; therefore, other genes are probably involved as well. Liver involvement is reported in up to 30% of persons affected by HHT. Large arteriovenous malformations in the liver can lead to significant complications, including high-output congestive heart failure, portal hypertension, hepatic encephalopathy, biliary ischemia, and liver failure. Embolization of large arteriovenous malformations in the liver remains controversial; however, liver transplantation can successfully eradicate these complications.

Splenic vascular malformations and portal hypertension in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: sonographic findings

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, or Osler-Rendu-Weber disease, is an autosomal dominant disorder in which a variety of vascular dysplasias occur throughout the organ systems. We report the gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic findings in a case of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Gray-scale sonographic examination revealed massive splenomegaly, multiple dilated intrasplenic vascular structures (some with adjacent punctate calcifications), an aneurysmal dilatation of the splenic vein, dilated intrahepatic portal branches, and marked atrophy of the right hepatic lobe. Color Doppler sonography showed dilatation of the truncus coeliacus and high-velocity flow in the splenic artery. There were significant aliasing in the splenic hilum and an abnormal, arterialized flow in intrasplenic branches of the splenic vein. The splenic vein was massively enlarged with increased flow velocity and contained an isolated aneurysmal dilatation in the hilum. There were multiple serpiginous retroperitoneal collateral vessels, and the left gastric vein was dilated with hepatofugal flow. The patient had portal hypertension that developed secondary to the increased portal flow.

Study of the malformation of ductal plate of the liver in Meckel syndrome and review of other syndromes presenting with this anomaly

Meckel syndrome (MIM 249.000) is an autosomal recessive disorder with a variable spectrum of anomalies. Since the first reports of this syndrome, very broad diagnostic criteria have been proposed, but the process of defining them continues. It is probable that at least two of three manifestations, including cystic kidney dysplasia, occipital encephalocele or other anomaly of the central nervous system, and postaxial polydactyly occur in most cases. Arrest of the development of intrahepatic bile ducts at the stage of the bilaminar plate formation or ductal plate malformation is considered of high diagnostic value in Meckel syndrome, but there is no complete agreement in the literature about its occurrence. The aims of this investigation were to study the prevalence and morphologic patterns of ductal plate malformation of the liver in Meckel syndrome by evaluating the dilatation of primitive biliary structures and the increase in connective tissue of the portal tract. Archival data files from four German centers (Berlin, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Mainz) were reviewed. Liver sections of 30 well-studied fetuses with Meckel syndrome were immunostained with antibodies against cytokeratins (intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton) and factor VIII (an endothelial cell marker) and were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. Cystic kidney dysplasia, occipital encephalocele, and postaxial polydactyly were found in 100%, 90%, and 83.3% of the fetuses, respectively. Ductal plate malformation of the liver was a constant anomaly in Meckel syndrome, seen as frequently as renal lesions. We observed essentially two kinds of hepatic lesions: 23 cases showed mainly a cystic dilatation of primitive biliary structures with little portal fibrosis, while 7 cases showed mainly rings of interrupted curved lumina around a central fibrovascular axis and pronounced portal fibrosis. In these seven cases an abnormal pattern of the portal vein, with many small and closely spaced branches of the portal vein (the so-called pollard willow pattern), was also seen. With respect to other fetal developmental anomalies, no difference between the two types of lesions was found. We also provide a potentially useful comprehensive review of other genetic syndromes in which ductal plate malformations may occur.

Liver disease in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

BACKGROUND

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, or Rendu-Osler-Weber disease, is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by angiodysplastic lesions (telangiectases and arteriovenous malformations) that affect many organs. Liver involvement in patients with this disease has not been fully characterized.

METHODS

We studied the clinical findings and results of hemodynamic, angiographic, and imaging studies in 19 patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and symptomatic liver involvement.

RESULTS

We evaluated 14 women and 5 men who ranged in age from 34 to 74 years. All but one of the patients had a hyperdynamic circulation (cardiac index, 4.2 to 7.3 liters per minute per square meter of body-surface area). In eight patients, the clinical findings were consistent with the presence of high-output heart failure. The cardiac index and pulmonary-capillary wedge pressure were elevated in the six patients in whom these measurements were performed. After a median period of 24 months, the condition of three of the eight patients had improved, four were in stable condition with medical therapy, and one had died. Six patients had manifestations of portal hypertension such as ascites or variceal bleeding. The hepatic sinusoidal pressure was elevated in the four patients in whom it was measured. After a median period of 19 months, the condition of two of the six patients had improved, and the other four had died. Five patients had manifestations of biliary disease, such as an elevated alkaline phosphatase level and abnormalities on bile duct imaging. After a median period of 30 months, the condition of two of the five had improved, the condition of one was unchanged, heart failure had developed in one, and one had died after an unsuccessful attempt at liver transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and symptomatic liver-involvement, the typical clinical presentations include high-output heart failure, portal hypertension, and biliary disease.

Liver transplantation for hepatic arteriovenous malformation with high-output cardiac failure in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: hemodynamic study

We describe a case of orthotopic liver transplantation used as a therapeutic method to correct high output cardiac failure related to a liver arteriovenous fistula due to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Detailed hemodynamic changes as they occurred during liver transplantation are described.