Abstract
Background and aim: Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) occurs in 3% to 11% of all liver transplantations Some authors have reported good outcomes with early thrombectomy To investigate the impact of re-vascularization on graft survival
Methods: A total of 566 primary, cadaveric, single organ, adult liver transplants were performed Hepatic arterial Doppler was performed routinely and patients with abnormal findings during the first two post-operative weeks were re-explored Abnormal findings after this time-point were verified by non-invasive angiogram The 47 patients that were diagnosed with arterial thrombosis, either intra-operatively or by angiogram, were divided into three groups No further action was taken for group A. thrombectomy alone was performed for group B I, thrombectomy and anastomotic revision was employed for group 132
Results: Arterial thrombosis was diagnosed in 47 (8 3%) patients Mean patient survival was 42, 62 and 98 months for groups A. B1 and B2 respectively (p 0 0629) Mean graft survival was 24, 29 and 60 months for groups A, 131 and 132 respectively (p 0.3386) Re-transplant incidence was 8 7%. 40% and 28 6% for groups A. 131, and B2 respectively (p 0 035)
Conclusions: Early diagnosis of HAT by surveillance Doppler may lead to improved recipient survival secondary to earlier re-transplantation and not because of successful graft re-vascularization Hippokratia 2010, 14 (2) 115-118