An Approach to Anesthetic Management of Venous Anomalies and Outflow Reconstruction in Liver Transplants.

Hepatic venous outflow is a pivotal factor in liver transplant. However, venous anomalies and the potential for hepatic venous congestion continue to remain major points of concern to ensure the viability of transplanted livers and maximize regenerative capacity. We present a 66-year-old patient undergoing liver transplantation who was found to have anomalous venous drainage requiring venous anastomoses. To ensure adequate venous flow and minimize the possibility of graft congestion and liver dysfunction, the anesthetic management of the patient's hemodynamic status was of utmost importance. The use of osmotic diuretics and intraoperative sonography was used to ensure adequate perfusion.

Liver Fibrosis Markers Represent Central Venous Pressure in Post-pubertal Patients With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background Central venous pressure (CVP) is one of the most important hemodynamic parameters in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). In adults, it is well-known that liver fibrosis markers reflect CVP, but this is not well-understood in children. We investigated the liver fibrosis markers in pediatric CHD patients and their ability to predict CVP. Methods We studied 160 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization in our hospital between January 2017 and December 2020. The levels of the fibrotic markers, including type IV collagen 7s, procollagen type III peptide, and hyaluronic acid, were measured. Results Procollagen type III peptide was markedly elevated in infants younger than one year of age. From one to 15 years of age, it was slightly lower than in the infant group, with a peak at around 10 years of age. In the age group of 16 years and older, most of its values were generally high. Type IV collagen 7s and hyaluronic acid levels were high in infants, with no significant differences at later ages. Procollagen type III peptide and hyaluronic acid showed no significant correlation with CVP in any of the age groups, whereas type IV collagen 7s significantly correlated with CVP in the age group above one year old. Conclusions We found that elevated liver fibrosis markers, particularly type IV collagen 7s, correlated with central venous pressure in CHD patients older than one year. Measurement of liver fibrosis markers may allow the early detection of changes in CVP and liver function in patients with CHD.

Spontaneous Hepatic Hemorrhage: An Unexpected Complication From Enoxaparin.

Spontaneous hepatic hemorrhage (SHH) is a rare condition that occurs due to a breach in the liver parenchyma in the absence of an external cause, most commonly from hepatocellular cancer. If a solid liver lesion is absent, then it has been linked with diffuse hepatic diseases or systemic diseases. Although SHH has been linked with the use of warfarin, it has not been thus far linked with enoxaparin. SHH can present with non-specific symptoms, and lab parameters can reveal substantial drops in hemoglobin. It is diagnosed most commonly with computed tomography (CT) imaging and conservative treatment is effective in the majority of cases. We present one such rare case of SHH.

Liver T1/T2 values with cardiac MRI during respiration.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the hepatic status of children with CHD is very important in the post-operative period. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of paediatric liver T1/T2 values and to evaluate the impact of respiration on liver T1/T2 values. METHODS: Liver T1/T2 values were evaluated in 69 individuals who underwent cardiac MRI. The mean age of the participants was 16.2 ± 9.8 years. Two types of imaging with different breathing methods were possible in 34 participants for liver T1 values and 10 participants for liver T2 values. RESULTS: The normal range was set at 620-830 msec for liver T1 and 25-40 ms for liver T2 based on the data obtained from 17 healthy individuals. The liver T1/T2 values were not significantly different between breath-hold and free-breath imaging (T1: 769.4 ± 102.8 ms versus 763.2 ± 93.9 ms; p = 0.148, T2: 34.9 ± 4.0 ms versus 33.6 ± 2.4 ms; p = 0.169). Higher liver T1 values were observed in patients who had undergone Fontan operation, tetralogy of Fallot operation, or those with chronic viral hepatitis. There was a trend toward correlation between liver T1 values and liver stiffness (R = 0.65, p = 0.0004); and the liver T1 values showed a positive correlation with the shear wave velocity (R = 0.62, p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: Liver T1/T2 values were not affected by breathing patterns. Because liver T1 values tend to increase with right heart overload, evaluation of liver T1 values during routine cardiac MRI may enable early detection of future complications.

Right-Sided Heart Failure and the Liver.

Currently, there are 6.2 million people with heart failure (HF) in the United States with 1 million new HF cases being diagnosed annually. Twenty to 30% of patients with acute heart failure also have liver dysfunction. The dual diagnoses of chronic heart and liver disease has significant prognostic implications.

Reduced theophylline clearance due to hepatic congestion secondary to right heart failure - A population pharmacokinetic study.

Theophylline, a beneficial drug with bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects, is used for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Pulmonary (PC) and hepatic congestion (HC) are secondary to the development of left- and right-sided heart failure (HF), respectively. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PC and HC on theophylline clearance (CL) by population pharmacokinetic (PPK) analysis with consideration of the severity of HF assessed by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. We obtained 710 minimum steady-state concentrations from 201 Japanese bronchial asthma patients with and without HF. PPK analysis was performed by NONMEM. In the analysis, the left ventricular ejection fraction, smoking (SMK), clarithromycin (CAM), sex, and age were also considered as covariates. The final model of apparent theophylline clearance (CL/F) was as follows: CL/F (L/hr/kg) = 0.0465 × 1.40SMK × 0.870CAM × 0.863HC(+)NYHA II × 0.634HC(+)NYHA III × 0.586HC(-)NYHA IV × 0.467HC(+)NYHA IV. SMK is a well-known factor that markedly enhances theophylline clearance through the induction of CYP1A enzymes, while CAM has been reported to inhibit CYP3A4. The final model indicates that HF patients with HC show reduced clearance of theophylline depending on the severity of HF. In this study, no effects of PC were observed.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of Liver Elastography in Heart Failure

Abstract Background: Hepatic congestion is a frequent finding in patients with heart failure (HF). Physical examination has limitations in quantifying systemic congestion and requires correlation with echocardiographic and laboratory data (usually B-type natriuretic peptide, BNP, or N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide, NT-proBNP). Hepatic elastography evaluates liver stiffness using a transducer that transmits low-frequency vibrations (50 Hz), and the speed of shear waves propagating through the tissues is measured by ultrasound. The faster the vibrations propagate in the hepatic parenchyma, the stiffer the liver, which, in case of HF, can be correlated with hepatic congestion. Objective: In this systematic review, case-controls, cohort studies, and randomized clinical trials were searched in MEDLINE, LILACS and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, to evaluate the use of elastography in the detection of hepatic congestion in patients with HF. Methods: From the 49 articles retrieved, seven were selected for review, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The most used methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of HF were echocardiography combined with BNP and NT-proBNP measurements. Results: Elastography performed at bedside was able to establish a significant correlation between increased liver stiffness and increased venous capillary pressure. In addition, liver elastography performed at hospital discharge was able to predict rehospitalization and mortality. Conclusion: Liver elastography is a non-invasive method that can be useful in predicting prognosis and mortality of individuals with HF, contributing to the clinical management of these patients.

Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma after tetralogy of Fallot repair: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis and cancer are serious hepatic complications for patients with congenital heart diseases. We present a rare case of combined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) (cHCC-CCA) after the repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old Japanese woman had undergone biventricular repair for TOF at 7 years old. She presented with abdominal distension. Abdominal CT revealed ascites and a 90-mm tumor involving the liver's left lobe. Tumor marker values were: alpha-fetoprotein, 16,208 ng/mL and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin, 33,920 mAU/mL. The preoperative diagnosis was malignant tumor of the liver (e.g., HCC or intrahepatic CCA). We performed a left lobectomy of the liver. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of two components growing in trabecular and irregular tubular patterns accompanied by a transitional area; the tumor was diagnosed as cHCC-CCA. The non-cancerous area showed fibrous change mainly surrounding a central vein and sinusoid, expanding toward the portal area without inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the details of our patient's cHCC-CCA that developed from fibrous congestive liver associated with right-sided heart failure after TOF repair, diagnosed based on histopathological features. We discuss liver fibrosis as a hepatic complication and a careful follow-up maneuver for improving the outcomes of patients with chronic hepatic congestion.

Hepatic resection for the right hepatic vein drainage area with indocyanine green fluorescent imaging navigation.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Right hepatic vein (RHV) drainage area resection is performed for intrahepatic tumors. However, borders of RHV drainage areas are difficult to identify. We evaluated the usefulness of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent images to identify the borders for RHV drainage area resection. METHODS: From January 2016 to May 2019, we included 12 patients who underwent hepatic resection of the RHV drainage area, which was evaluated using ICG fluorescence images after clamping the RHV and with or without clamping the proper hepatic artery (PHA). The resected liver volume was compared with the preoperative simulated resected liver volume by 3-dimensional computed tomography. RESULTS: Eleven borders of the RHV drainage area between the middle hepatic vein (MHV) or inferior RHV drainage area were confirmed using ICG fluorescent images in 12 patients. The borders were observable by only clamping the RHV. In one patient, the border could not be identified because there was a shunt between the RHV and MHV at the peripheral area. Resected liver volume was significantly correlated with the results of preoperative simulation. CONCLUSION: The RHV drainage area resection could be one of the options of hepatic resection for the tumor involving the root of the RHV. ICG fluorescent imaging in hepatic resection of the RHV drainage area is useful for determining areas of liver congestion and clamping the PHA is not always necessary.

Clinical and ultrasonographic investigations of 30 water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with hepatomegaly.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Knowledge of normal ultrasonographic dimensions of the liver and associated vascular structures is an important indicator for the diagnosis of hepatic diseases. Enlargement of the liver beyond its normal dimensions is the term of hepatomegaly and ultrasonography is the primary and the suitable diagnostic technique for this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the clinical and ultrasonographic findings of liver diseases causing hepatomegaly in 30 buffaloes as well as to provide a range of liver dimensions and its blood vessel measurements in normal and diseased buffaloes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 30 buffaloes that were admitted to the clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Zagazig University for investigation of clinical signs associated with gastrointestinal diseases such as anorexia, chronic weight loss, and variable degrees of diarrhea or constipation. The animals were subjected to thorough clinical and ultrasonographic investigations. In addition, 10 healthy buffaloes were investigated ultrasonographically and post-slaughtering for comparison of liver dimensions and physical appearance. RESULTS: Three conditions causing hepatomegaly were identified in this study as multiple focal hepatic lesions, diffuse fatty liver, and hepatic congestion. Clinically, it was difficult to differentiate between each condition while ultrasonography was the ideal tool for diagnosis after comparing with necropsy as a gold standard tool. Hepatomegaly was recorded in all affected animals with a significant decrease in the size of the portal vein (PV) and caudal vena cava (CVC) in animals affected with multiple focal hepatic lesions and fatty liver disease while the size of the PV and CVC was significantly increased in buffaloes with hepatic congestion. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography can aid to accurately identify buffaloes with hepatomegaly and differentiate between different lesions involved.

Extreme liver resections with preservation of segment 4 only.

AIM: To evaluate safety and outcomes of a new technique for extreme hepatic resections with preservation of segment 4 only. METHODS: The new method of extreme liver resection consists of a two-stage hepatectomy. The first stage involves a right hepatectomy with middle hepatic vein preservation and induction of left lobe congestion; the second stage involves a left lobectomy. Thus, the remnant liver is represented by the segment 4 only (with or without segment 1, ± S1). Five patients underwent the new two-stage hepatectomy (congestion group). Data from volumetric assessment made before the second stage was compared with that of 10 matched patients (comparison group) that underwent a single-stage right hepatectomy with middle hepatic vein preservation. RESULTS: The two stages of the procedure were successfully carried out on all 5 patients. For the congestion group, the overall volume of the left hemiliver had increased 103% (mean increase from 438 mL to 890 mL) at 4 wk after the first stage of the procedure. Hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (i.e., segment 4 ± S1) was higher than that of segments 2 and 3 (144% vs 54%, respectively, P < 0.05). The median remnant liver volume-to-body weight ratio was 0.3 (range, 0.28-0.40) before the first stage and 0.8 (range, 0.45-0.97) before the second stage. For the comparison group, the rate of hypertrophy of the left liver after right hepatectomy with middle hepatic vein preservation was 116% ± 34%. Hypertrophy rates of segments 2 and 3 (123% ± 47%) and of segment 4 (108% ± 60%, P > 0.05) were proportional. The mean preoperative volume of segments 2 and 3 was 256 ± 64 cc and increased to 572 ± 257 cc after right hepatectomy. Mean preoperative volume of segment 4 increased from 211 ± 75 cc to 439 ± 180 cc after surgery. CONCLUSION: The proposed method for extreme hepatectomy with preservation of segment 4 only represents a technique that could allow complete resection of multiple bilateral liver metastases.

Application value of contrast enhanced ultrasound for postoperative monitoring after split liver transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the application value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for postoperative monitoring after split liver transplantation. Methods Ten recipients undergoing split liver transplantation received conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and CEUS. Clinical prognosis of 10 recipients undergoing split liver transplantation was summarized. The findings of postoperative conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography, CDU and CEUS were analyzed. Results Among 10 recipients, 8 cases obtained favorable clinical prognosis, one died from the recurrence and metastasis of malignant tumors and multiple organ failure, and one died from sudden cardiac arrest. CDU detected the hepatic artery in 8 of 10 recipients(80%). CEUS revealed hepatic artery embolism in one recipient and normal hepatic artery in the other case. Conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography demonstrated abnormality of the hepatic parenchyma in 5 recipients including hyperecho in S5 segment in 1 case, hypoecho in S7 segment in 1 case, hyperecho in S4 segment in 1 case, hypoecho followed by hyperecho in S5 and S6 segments in 1 case and multiple hypoecho and slight hyperecho in 1 case. CEUS revealed significant asynchrony in the microcirculation blood perfusion between the normal and abnormal echo regions, manifested with imaging features of early perfusion and early regression, which was considered to be associated with hepatic venous back-flow obstruction. Evident asynchrony in microcirculation blood perfusion between the normal and abnormal echo regions was observed in 1 case, manifested with the imaging features of early perfusion and synchronous regression,suggesting that congestion and edema on the hepatic resection surface caused by hepatic venous back-flow obstruction and myocardial infarction. Multiple intrahepatic abnormal blood perfusion region of 'fast-in and fast-out' echo was noted in 1 case, which was probably correlated with postoperative recurrence of malignant tumors. Conclusions CEUS is an effective supplement of conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography and CDU for postoperative monitoring after split liver transplantation, which contributes to understanding of hepatic blood flow and blood perfusion and identifying early postoperative complications after split liver transplantation.

Role of portal venous pressure changes in the liver dysfunction caused by hepatic congestion after extended liver resection / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To explore the role of portal venous pressure changes in the liver dysfunction caused by hepatic congestion after extended liver resection.Methods The experimental study was adopted.According to the random number table,90 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups,30 in each group:30 rats in the non-congestion group received 70％ of liver resection (median lobe + left lobe),30 rats in the congestion group received 70％ of liver resection (median lobe + left lobe) with whole caudal lobe congestion by ligation of veins and 30 rats in the congestion + splenectomy group received 70％ of liver resection (median lobe + left lobe) with whole caudal lobe congestion by ligation of veins and splenectomy.(1) Twenty rats in each group were used to make postoperative survival analysis.Ten rats in each group were used for related experiments.The portal venous pressures (PVPs) of 5 rats in each group were detected at postoperative 12 hours and 24 hours,and then blood and liver specimens were collected.(2) PVP changes were detected at postoperative 12 hours and 24 hours.(3) Clinical and biochemical test:level of total bilirubin (TBil) was tested at postoperative 12 hours and 24 hours.(4) Pathological examination:liver pathological damage was detected by HE staining.(5) The expression of CD68 macrophagocyte was detected by immunohistochemical staining.(6) The relative expressions of Cleaved Casepase-3 and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) proteins at postoperative 24 hours were detected by Westein blot.(7) The relative expressions of mRNA of vascular regulation related genes (ET-1/eNOS) and inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).(8)The hyaluronic acid (HA) was measured by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA).Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as （x） ± s.Comparison among 3 groups was done using the ANOVA,and pairwise comparison was done by the LSD test.The postoperative 5-day survival curve was drawn by the KaplanMeier method,and the survival was compared using the Log-rank test.Results (1) Survival analysis:5-day survival rate in the non-congestion group,congestion group and congestion + splenectomy group were respectively 75％,10％ and 55％,with a statistically significant difference among the 3 groups (x2=18.21,P ＜0.05).(2)Changes of PVPs and TBil:levels of PVP and TBil in the non-congestion group,congestion group and congestion + splenectomy group were respectively (15.77 ±0.67)cmH2O,(18.33 ±0.28) cmH2O,(14.87 ± 0.58) cmH2O,(1.48 ±0.10)μmol/L,(1.76±0.15) μ mol/L,(1.62 ±0.11) μmol/L at postoperative 12 hours and (13.49 ± 0.45) cmH2 O,(16.96 ± 0.82) cmH2 O,(15.69 ± 0.85) cmH2 O,(1.47 ± 0.11) μmol/L,(1.94 ± 0.07) μmol/L,(1.67 ± 0.11) μmol/L at postoperative 24 hours,showing statistically significant differences among 3 groups (F =56.53,29.01,6.81,27.85,P ＜ 0.05).(3) Results of pathological examination:compared with noncongestion group,there were a lot of vacuolar cells with degeneration appearing in non-congestion liver tissues,severe liver cell swelling and hepatic sinus congestion in the congestion group at postoperative 24 hours.Compared with congestion group,vacuolar degeneration appearing in non-congestion liver tissues have some improvement in the congestion + splenectomy group.(4) Immunohistochemical staining:compared with non-congestion group and congestion + splenectomy group,the positive CD68 marked macrophages in the congestion group were increased at postoperative 24 hours.(5) Western blot assay:the relative expressions of Cleaved Casepase-3 and HIF-1α proteins in the non-congestion group,congestion group and congestion + splenectomy group were 0.63 ± 0.05,1.17 ± O.18,0.95 ± 0.17 and 0.63 ± 0.14,1.48 ± 0.08,1.13 ± 0.17,respectively,showing statistically significant differences among 3 groups (F =17.42,50.58,P ＜ 0.05).(6) Results of RT-PCR:the relative expression of mRNA of ET-1/eNOS in the non-congestion group,congestion group and congestion + splenectomy group was respectively 1.01 ± 0.63,2.09 ± 0.27,0.82 ± 0.12 at postoperative 12 hours and 0.73 ± 0.17,2.16 ± 0.94,0.80 ± 0.24 at postoperative 24 hours,showing statistically significant differences among 3 groups (F =62.91,10.65,P ＜0.05).The relative expression of mRNA of TNF-α in the non-congestion group,congestion group and congestion + splenectomy group was respectively 0.99 ± 0.08,127.80 ± 13.15,7.34 ± 1.56 at postoperative 12 hours and 0.99 ± 0.06,116.62 ± 13.32,58.62 ± 12.12 at postoperative 24 hours,showing statistically significant differences among 3 groups (F =436.77,154.54,P ＜ 0.05).The relative expression of mRNA of IL-6 in the non-congestion group,congestion group and congestion + splenectomy group was respectively 0.98 ±0.06,1.87 ±0.34,1.54 ±0.15 at postoperative 12 hours and 0.99 ±0.05,2.02 ±0.27,1.51 ±0.11at postoperative 24 hours,with statistically significant differences among 3 groups (F =22.08,46.71,P ＜ 0.05).(7) Results of ELISA:the level of HA in the non-congestion group,congestion group and congestion + splenectomy group was respectively (149 ± 9) ng/L,(200 ± 19) ng/L,(174 ± 9) ng/L at postoperative 12 hours and (136 ± 16) ng/L,(202 ± 13) ng/L,(91 ± 11) ng/L at postoperative 24 hours,with statistically significant differences among 3 groups (F =19.23,34.68,P＜0.05).Conclusions On the basis of extended liver resection,a wide range of liver congestion through increasing PVP causes hepatic microcirculation disorders,hypoxia,inflammation,vacuoles degeneration cells,increased cells apoptosis,aggravated damage of liver function and increased mortality of rats.Splenectomy could reduce PVP and then improve the liver tissues damage caused by liver congestion,meanwhile,increase the survival rate of rats.

Portal vein Doppler: a tool for non-invasive prediction of esophageal varices in cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Esophageal varices (EV), a major complication of liver cirrhosis, can lead to life threatening gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the gold standard for diagnosis and management of esophageal varices. However, it is not always available in resource-constrained settings.This study was aimed at evaluating portal vein indices (PVI) using Doppler on ultrasound abdomen, which is more widely available, as tools to predict the presence of EV. METHODS: A total of 50 adult patients with cirrhosis were included in the study. All subjects underwent a percutaneous liver biopsy, abdominal ultrasound and EGD along with other tests as part of the work up for cirrhosis. The portal vein indices that were studied included hepatic congestion index (HCI), portal vein diameter (PVD) and portal vein velocity (PVV). Their sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated using EGD as a gold standard. RESULTS: Association of PVD, PVV and HCI with presence of EV was statistically significant (p-value <0.01). PVV had the highest sensitivity 84% (95% CI 66.45%- 94.10%) for detecting the presence of EV. PVD and HCI had the highest specificity of 55% (95% CI 0.31-0.77) and the highest negative predictive value of 38%(95% CI 0.24-0.52). Positive predictive value was highest PVV at 76%. (95% CI 0.61-0.86). CONCLUSION: In resources- constricted settings where EGD is not available, PVI (PVV, PVD and HCI) on ultrasound abdomen can be used as non-invasive parameters to predict the presence of EV. Although EGD remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and management of EV, when this is not possible due to scarcity of resources, PVV may be used a tool to triage patients for referral for an EGD as it has the highest sensitivity of 84% (95% CI 66.45%-94.10%) and positive predictive value of 76% (95% CI 61.51%-86.47%) amongst the PVI studied for detecting the presence of EV.

Evaluation of the hepatotoxicity of Abarema cochliacarpos extracts in mice Mus musculus

Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby & J.W. Grimes, Fabaceae, is a native species of Brazil popularly known as "barbatimão", frequently found along the north coast of the state of Bahia. Local communities make an infusion from its stem bark, which is used to treat several diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of A. cochliacarpos extracts in mice Mus musculus. The bark infusion and hydroalcoholic extract were administered nasogastrically into two groups of eight animals (four male and four female each). After 45 days all mice were killed and the livers were collected for further histological analysis. Hepatic steatosis, congestion of the hepatic vessels and medicinal plantspresence of macrophages and lymphocytes infiltrates in the liver, were observed in both steatosis group of animals, additionally animals that received the stem bark infusion presented an accumulation of pigments. None of the animals belonging to the negative control group showed any of the symptoms described above. In conclusion, the hydroalcoholic extract and infusion of A. cochliacarpos stem bark were proven to cause intoxication in mice. The hepatotoxicity of the infusion was more aggressive in females. Further studies are necessary to isolate compounds responsible for the toxic characteristics of A. cochliacarpos.

Malposition of Double Lumen Bicaval Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV ECMO) cannula resulting in hepatic venous congestion.

Introduction: Optimal positioning of double lumen bicaval canula for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support used as a rescue measure in refractory hypoxaemia is essential to facilitate adequate oxygenation, prevent recirculation and avoid complications. Method: Echocardiography via transoesophageal or transthoracic windows can be used as guidance and as a surveillance technique to prevent cannula malposition. We describe a case of Double-Lumen Bicaval VV ECMO cannula malposition leading to a massive retrograde hepatic venous flow. Conclusion: Rapid echocardiographic diagnosis was pivotal in preventing potentially fatal complications.

Ischaemic hepatitis precipitated by recurrent episodes of atrial fibrillation.

We report a case of ischaemic hepatitis associated with recurrent fast atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes in a 59-year-old male who presented with shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting. The patient had a history of ischaemic cardiomyopathy. An emergency electrocardiogram showed fast AF with a ventricular rate of 190 min(-1). The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was 2222Ul(-1), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 1255Ul(-1), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was 1842Ul(-1) and serum creatinine was 150 µmoll(-1). An ultrasound of the abdomen showed an enlarged liver with hypoechoic lesions. The patient received digoxin. In the next few days, while liver enzymes and serum creatinine started to return to normal levels, the patient had two attacks of fast AF, each associated with elevated liver enzymes and a concomitant rise in serum creatinine. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit to improve control of his AF, after which his liver enzymes and renal function gradually returned to normal.

Liver Fibrosis Markers Reflect the Quality of Fontan Circulation / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<b>Background</b> : Several studies have shown that Fontan circulation may lead to liver congestion and possible structural liver alteration. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationships between biochemical fibrosis markers and hemodynamic parameters in the long term after the Fontan operation.<br><b>Methods</b> : The study enrolled 51 patients who underwent total cavopulmonary connection between March 1994 and July 2010. We analyzed the relationships between the 5 liver fibrosis markers (hyaluronic acid, retinol-binding protein, procollagen type III peptide, type IV collagen 7S, type IV collagen) and the 6 hemodynamic parameters (pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery index, pulmonary vascular resistance, ejection fraction, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, cardiac index).<br><b>Results</b> : Hyaluronic acid and type IV collagen 7S positively correlated with pulmonary artery pressure. Hyaluronic acid negatively correlated with ejection fraction, and type IV collagen 7S positively correlated with atrioventricular valve regurgitation in patients followed up for more than 8 years after Fontan completion. Pulmonary artery pressure was significantly higher in patients in whom type IV collagen 7S was elevated. Hyaluronic acid correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance (<i>p</i>=0.0035) and ejection fraction (<i>p</i>=0.014), as well as type IV collagen 7S with pulmonary artery pressure (<i>p</i>=0.0001) by multiple regression analysis.<br><b>Conclusion</b> : Hyaluronic acid and type IV collagen 7S reflected the degree of hepatic congestion, and cardiac function, in the long term after the Fontan operation.