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Mataya LA, Srinivasan V, Rand EB, Alcamo AM. Multiple organ involvement and ICU considerations for the care of acute liver failure (ALF) and acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) in children. Transl Pediatr 2021; 10:2749-2762. [PMID: 34765498 PMCID: PMC8578785 DOI: 10.21037/tp-20-375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver disease results in approximately 15,000 pediatric hospitalizations per year in the United States and is a significant burden to child health. Major etiologies of liver failure and indications for transplantation in children include: biliary atresia, metabolic/genetic conditions, toxins, infections, tumors, and immune-mediated liver/biliary injury. Children requiring transplantation are placed on the United Network of Organ Sharing waitlist including those with acute liver failure (ALF) and acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF). ALF is a clinical syndrome in which a previously healthy child develops rapid-onset hepatic dysfunction, and becomes critically ill with multiple organ dysfunction within days. ACLF, by contrast, is generally described as an acute decompensation of pre-existing chronic liver disease (CLD) brought on by a precipitating event, with higher risk of mortality. Children with ALF and ACLF receive multidisciplinary care in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) due to multiple organ system involvement and high risk of decompensation in these patients. The care of these patients requires a holistic approach that addresses the complex interplay between hepatic and extra-hepatic organ systems. This review will define and describe ALF and ACLF in the pediatric population, and outline the effects of ALF and ACLF on individual organ systems with diagnostic and management considerations in the ICU while awaiting liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Mataya
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vijay Srinivasan
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth B Rand
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alicia M Alcamo
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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2
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Aragon Pinto C, Iyer VN, Albitar HAH, Anderson A, Cajigas H, Simonetto DA, Krowka MJ, DuBrock HM, Gallo de Moraes A. Outcomes of liver transplantation in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome in the pre and post-MELD eras: A systematic review. Respir Med Res 2021; 80:100852. [PMID: 34418867 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmer.2021.100852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of large hepatopulmonary syndrome cohorts undergoing liver transplantation (LT) has resulted in limited information about post-LT outcomes and expectations. METHODS The long and short-term outcomes of LT in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) were evaluated before and after the implementation of Model for Endstage Liver Disease (MELD) score in 2002, granting exception points for patients with HPS. PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for published and unpublished studies from 01/1990 to 04/2019. Studies that included HPS patients who underwent LT and reported post-LT outcomes and HPS severity were reviewed. After reviewing the full text of 1421 articles, 30 were included in the pre-MELD era (before 2002) and 60 in the post-MELD era. RESULTS A total of 598 patients (210 children and 388 adults) with HPS who underwent LT were included in this systematic review. In children, 5-year survival probability was similar in the pre and post-MELD groups (85.7% vs. 97.4; p = 0.09). Median post-transplant PaO2 in room air was higher in the post-MELD group (71 [53-87] vs. 97 [80-108] mmHg: p = 0.008). In adults, 5-year survival probability was higher in the post-MELD era (73 vs. 87.3%; p = 0.008). Median post-transplant PaO2 in room air was higher in post-MELD group (75 [63-85] vs. 87 [75-95] mmHg; p = 0.001).. CONCLUSIONS After MELD exception implementation, survival rates and post-transplant oxygenation improved in adult patients with HPS who underwent liver transplantation, whereas only post-transplant oxygenation improved in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Aragon Pinto
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Mayo Epidemiology and Translational Research in Intensive Care group (METRIC), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Vivek N Iyer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Alexandra Anderson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Hector Cajigas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Douglas A Simonetto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Michael J Krowka
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Hilary M DuBrock
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alice Gallo de Moraes
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Mayo Epidemiology and Translational Research in Intensive Care group (METRIC), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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3
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Sonavane AD, Bagde A, Raut V, Marar S, Sawant A, Shah K, Raj A, Thorat A, Chaksota H, Biradar V, Vasanth S, Nagral A, Mirza D. Therapeutic coil embolization of dominant shunt in hepatopulmonary syndrome enhances post-liver transplant respiratory recovery. Pediatr Transplant 2020; 24:e13729. [PMID: 32436643 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Coil embolization of the atypical enlarged pulmonary artery/arteriole with visible shunting may improve hypoxemia in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). When used selectively in cases with large shunts, either pre- or post-liver transplantation (LT), it can aid an early recovery and reduce morbidity. We present a case where a large intrapulmonary shunt was embolized preoperatively to improve hypoxemia associated with HPS and enhance post-operative recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amey D Sonavane
- Department of Adult and Pediatric Hepatology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Abhijit Bagde
- Department of Adult and Pediatric Hepatology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Vikram Raut
- Department of Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Shaji Marar
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Ambreen Sawant
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Ketul Shah
- Department of Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Amruth Raj
- Department of Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Ashok Thorat
- Department of Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Harshit Chaksota
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Vishnu Biradar
- Department of Adult and Pediatric Hepatology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Suresh Vasanth
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Aabha Nagral
- Department of Adult and Pediatric Hepatology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Darius Mirza
- Department of Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India
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4
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Warner S, McKiernan PJ, Hartley J, Ong E, van Mourik ID, Gupte G, Abdel-Hady M, Muiesan P, Perera T, Mirza D, Sharif K, Kelly DA, Beath SV. Hepatopulmonary Syndrome in Children: A 20-Year Review of Presenting Symptoms, Clinical Progression, and Transplant Outcome. Liver Transpl 2018; 24:1271-1279. [PMID: 30066494 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in stable patients with cirrhosis can easily be overlooked. We report on the presenting symptoms, disease progression, and outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) in children with HPS. Twenty patients were diagnosed with HPS between 1996 and 2016. The etiologies were as follows: biliary atresia (n = 9); alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (n = 2); cryptogenic liver disease (n = 3); and others (n = 6). HPS presentations were as follows; dyspnea (n = 17) and pneumonia (n = 3). For diagnostic confirmation, the following techniques were used: technetium-99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scan (n = 13) or contrast echocardiogram (n = 7). There were 16 patients listed for LT, with a median age at HPS diagnosis of 10 years and an average wait from listing to LT of 9 weeks. A marked rise in hemoglobin (Hb; median, 125-143.5 g/L) and modest decrease in oxygen saturation (SpO2 ; median 91% to 88% room air) were evident over this time. Patients' need for assisted ventilation (1 day), pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay (3 days), and total hospital stay (20 days) were similar to our general LT recipients-the key difference in the postoperative period was the duration of supplementary O2 requirement. Hb of ≥130 g/L on the day of LT correlated with a longer PICU stay (P value = 0.02), duration of supplementary O2 (P value = 0.005), and the need for the latter beyond 7 days after LT (P value = 0.01). Fifteen patients had resolution of their HPS after LT. The 5-, 10-, and 20-year survival rates were unchanged at 87.5%. None had a recurrence of HPS. In conclusion, HPS is a life-threatening complication of cirrhosis which usually develops insidiously. This combined with the often-stable nature of the liver disease leads to delays in diagnosis and listing for LT. Progressive polycythemia extends the need for supplementary O2 and PICU stay. We advocate screening for HPS with a combination of SpO2 and Hb monitoring to facilitate earlier recognition, timely LT, and shortened recovery periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suz Warner
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Liver Research and National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit in Liver Disease, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick J McKiernan
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Hartley
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Evelyn Ong
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Indra D van Mourik
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Girish Gupte
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mona Abdel-Hady
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Muiesan
- University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Thamera Perera
- University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Darius Mirza
- University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Khalid Sharif
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Deirdre A Kelly
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Susan V Beath
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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5
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International Liver Transplant Society Practice Guidelines: Diagnosis and Management of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome and Portopulmonary Hypertension. Transplantation 2017; 100:1440-52. [PMID: 27326810 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000001229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Two distinct pulmonary vascular disorders, hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) may occur as a consequence of hepatic parenchymal or vascular abnormalities. HPS and POPH have major clinical implications for liver transplantation. A European Respiratory Society Task Force on Pulmonary-Hepatic Disorders convened in 2002 to standardize the diagnosis and guide management of these disorders. These International Liver Transplant Society diagnostic and management guidelines are based on that task force consensus and should continue to evolve as clinical experience dictates. Based on a review of over 1000 published HPS and POPH articles identified via a MEDLINE search (1985-2015), clinical guidelines were based on, selected single care reports, small series, registries, databases, and expert opinion. The paucity of randomized, controlled trials in either of these disorders was noted. Guidelines are presented in 5 parts; I. Definitions/Diagnostic criteria; II. Hepatopulmonary syndrome; III. Portopulmonary hypertension; IV. Implications for liver transplantation; and V. Suggestions for future clinical research.
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6
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Postoperative Care of the Liver Transplant Recipient. ANESTHESIA AND PERIOPERATIVE CARE FOR ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION 2017. [PMCID: PMC7120127 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6377-5_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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7
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Hartleif S, Lang P, Handgretinger R, Feuchtinger T, Fuchs J, Königsrainer A, Nadalin S, Sturm E. Outcomes of pediatric identical living-donor liver and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Pediatr Transplant 2016; 20:888-897. [PMID: 27241476 DOI: 10.1111/petr.12725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chronic IS is associated with significant morbidity in transplant recipients. Moreover, IS does not prevent chronic graft failure frequently. Allograft immune tolerance in LT can be induced by complete donor chimerism through allogenic HSCT combined with identical LDLT. This approach may exempt patients from chronic lifelong IS. However, it is unclear whether its benefits justify its risks. Here, we present three cases from our institution and analyze seven additional reports of children treated with HSCT/LDLT, all receiving HSCT due to hemato-oncological indications. In eight of 10 cases, donor macrochimerism resulted in allograft tolerance. Nine patients survived. One patient died due to fulminant ADV infection. Further complications were GvHD (n = 3) and bone marrow failure (n = 2). In conclusion, donor-specific allograft tolerance can be achieved by identical-donor HSCT/LDLT. However, at present, this approach should generally be limited to selected indications due to a potentially unfavorable risk-benefit ratio. Novel toxicity-reduced conditioning protocols for HSCT/LDLT in the absence of malignant or non-hepatic disease may prove to be a sufficiently safe approach for inducing graft tolerance in children receiving a LDLT in the future. This concept may reduce the burden of lifelong IS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Hartleif
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Peter Lang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Rupert Handgretinger
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Feuchtinger
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Fuchs
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Alfred Königsrainer
- Department of Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Silvio Nadalin
- Department of Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ekkehard Sturm
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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8
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Lee HJ, Lee JM, Jung CW, Lee J. Anesthetic management of a pediatric patient with pulmonary arteriovenous fistula undergoing liver transplantation - a case report. Pediatr Transplant 2016; 20:711-716. [PMID: 27126572 DOI: 10.1111/petr.12716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
For patients with HPS who require anesthesia for a procedure, HPV should be maintained to prevent worsening hypoxemia. Here, the case of a 9-yr-old girl who was scheduled for a living donor liver transplantation is presented. The patient suffered from end-stage liver disease with HPS due to biliary atresia, which contributed to the development of a diffuse pulmonary AVF. Consequently, anesthetic management of this patient involved two different types of pulmonary shunt. It is important to maintain HPV, not only to prevent worsening of the hypoxia caused by HPS but also to inhibit an increase in PVR that could cause an increase of shunt flow through the pathological fistula. A TIVA technique was performed, and a nitrous oxide inhaler was prepared in case of a possible increase in PVR during the reperfusion period. There were no adverse events during the operation. Thus, anesthesiologists should be aware of the pathophysiological status of HPS and its potential to progress to a pulmonary AVF in order to meticulously determine an anesthesia plan that accounts for the hypoxia and PVR that are associated with HPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Jin Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Man Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chul-Woo Jung
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jiwon Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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9
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Nayyar D, Man HSJ, Granton J, Lilly LB, Gupta S. Proposed management algorithm for severe hypoxemia after liver transplantation in the hepatopulmonary syndrome. Am J Transplant 2015; 15:903-13. [PMID: 25649047 PMCID: PMC5132094 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is defined as the triad of liver disease, intrapulmonary vascular dilatation, and abnormal gas exchange, and is found in 10-32% of patients with liver disease. Liver transplantation is the only known cure for HPS, but patients can develop severe posttransplant hypoxemia, defined as a need for 100% inspired oxygen to maintain a saturation of ≥85%. This complication is seen in 6-21% of patients and carries a 45% mortality. Its management requires the application of specific strategies targeting the underlying physiologic abnormalities in HPS, but awareness of these strategies and knowledge on their optimal use is limited. We reviewed existing literature to identify strategies that can be used for this complication, and developed a clinical management algorithm based on best evidence and expert opinion. Evidence was limited to case reports and case series, and we determined which treatments to include in the algorithm and their recommended sequence based on their relative likelihood of success, invasiveness, and risk. Recommended therapies include: Trendelenburg positioning, inhaled epoprostenol or nitric oxide, methylene blue, embolization of abnormal pulmonary vessels, and extracorporeal life support. Availability and use of this pragmatic algorithm may improve management of this complication, and will benefit from prospective validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Nayyar
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's HospitalTorontoCanada
| | - H. S. J. Man
- Department of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada,Division of RespirologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - J. Granton
- Department of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada,Division of RespirologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - L. B. Lilly
- Department of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada,Division of Gastroenterology and MultiOrgan Transplant ProgramUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - S. Gupta
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's HospitalTorontoCanada,Department of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada,Division of RespirologyDepartment of MedicineSt. Michael's HospitalTorontoCanada
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10
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The successful use of inhaled nitric oxide in the management of severe hepatopulmonary syndrome after orthotopic liver transplantation. Case Reports Hepatol 2014; 2014:415109. [PMID: 25374726 PMCID: PMC4208388 DOI: 10.1155/2014/415109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 12/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is characterized by pulmonary vasodilation and subsequent hypoxemia in the setting of hepatic dysfunction. There is currently no pharmacologic intervention that has been shown to significantly affect outcomes and liver transplantation remains the mainstay of therapy. Unfortunately, patients undergoing liver transplantation are at high risk of significant hypoxemia and mortality in the early postoperative period. In the following case series, we present two cases of patients with severe HPS who underwent liver transplantation and experienced marked hypoxemia in the early postoperative period. In both cases, we successfully treated the patients with inhaled nitric oxide for their severe refractory life-threatening hypoxemia which led to immediate and dramatic improvements in their oxygenation. Although the use of inhaled nitric oxide in patients with HPS has been sporadically reported in pediatric literature and in animal studies, to our knowledge, our cases are the first recorded in adult patients.
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11
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Nayyar D, Man HSJ, Granton J, Gupta S. Defining and characterizing severe hypoxemia after liver transplantation in hepatopulmonary syndrome. Liver Transpl 2014; 20:182-90. [PMID: 24142412 DOI: 10.1002/lt.23776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatopulmonary syndrome is defined as a triad of liver disease, intrapulmonary vascular dilatations, and abnormal gas exchange, and it carries a poor prognosis. Liver transplantation is the only known cure for this syndrome. Severe hypoxemia in the early postoperative period has been reported to be a major complication and often leads to death in this population, but it has been poorly characterized. We sought to propose an objective definition for this complication and to describe its risk factors, incidence, and outcomes. We performed a systematic literature search and reviewed our single-center experience to characterize this complication. On the basis of the most commonly applied definition in 27 identified studies, we objectively defined severe postoperative hypoxemia as hypoxemia requiring a 100% fraction of inhaled oxygen to maintain a saturation ≥ 85% and out of proportion to any concurrent lung process. Nineteen of the 27 reports (70%) fulfilled this definition, as did 4 of the 21 patients (19%) at our center. We determined the prevalence and mortality of this complication from reports including 10 or more consecutive patients and providing sufficient postoperative details to determine whether this complication had occurred. In these reports, the prevalence of this complication was 12% (25/209). For the 11 cases with reported outcomes, the posttransplant mortality rate was 45% (5/11). There was a trend toward an increased risk of developing this complication in patients with very severe preoperative hypoxemia, defined as a partial pressure of arterial oxygen ≤ 50 mm Hg (8/41 with very severe hypoxemia versus 3/49 without severe hypoxemia, P = 0.053), and there was a significantly increased risk for patients with anatomic shunting ≥ 20% (7/25 with anatomic shunting ≥ 20% versus 1/25 without anatomic shunting ≥ 20%, P = 0.049). In conclusion, increased preoperative vigilance for this common complication is required among high-risk patients, and further research is required to identify the best management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhruv Nayyar
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada
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12
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Abstract
Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a serious vascular complication of liver disease that occurs in 5-32% of patients with cirrhosis. The presence of HPS markedly increases mortality. No effective medical therapies are currently available and liver transplantation is the only established treatment option for HPS. The definition and diagnosis of HPS are established by the presence of a triad of liver disease with intrapulmonary vascular dilation that causes abnormal arterial gas exchange. Experimental biliary cirrhosis induced by common bile duct ligation in the rat reproduces the pulmonary vascular and gas exchange abnormalities of human HPS and serves as a pertinent animal model. Pulmonary microvascular dilation and angiogenesis are two central pathogenic features that drive abnormal pulmonary gas exchange in experimental HPS, and thus might underlie HPS in humans. Defining the mechanisms involved in the microvascular alterations of HPS has the potential to lead to effective medical therapies. This Review focuses on the current understanding of the pathogenesis, clinical features and management of HPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlan Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 4.234, Houston, TX 77030-1501, USA
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