Proximal Splenic Artery Embolization for Refractory Ascites and Hydrothorax Post-Liver Transplant.

PURPOSE: Proximal splenic artery embolization (pSAE) has been advocated as a valuable tool to ameliorate portal hyper-perfusion (PHP). The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of pSAE to treat refractory ascites (RA) and/or refractory hydrothorax (RH) in the setting of PHP post-liver transplant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients who underwent pSAE for RA and/or RH after liver transplantation (LT) between January 2007 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into groups according to the time frame from pSAE to clinical resolution in order to identify predictors of RA/RH response to the procedure. RESULTS: Twenty-four (80%) patients responded to pSAE within three months, whereas 6 (20%) still required additional treatments for RA/RH at three months post-pSAE. In all cases clinical symptoms resolved within six months. Complications after pSAE were as follows: 2 cases of splenic infarction (6.6%), one case of post-splenic embolization syndrome (3.3%), one case of hepatic artery thrombosis (3.3%) and one case of portal vein (PV) thrombosis (3.3%). Increased intraoperative PV flow volume and increased pre-pSAE PV velocity, as well as higher estimated glomerular filtration rate were associated with early RA/RH resolution. CONCLUSION: pSAE is safe and effective in treating RA and RH due to PHP after LT. This study suggests that clinical parameters indicating more severe PHP and better kidney function are possible predictors for early response to pSAE.

Liver graft-to-spleen volume ratio as a useful predictive factor of the early graft function in children and young adults transplanted for biliary atresia: a retrospective study.

A graft volume/standard liver volume ratio (GV/SLV) > 35% or graft/recipient weight ratio (GRWR) > 0.8% has been considered as a standard criteria of graft selection. Even if the graft size meets these selection criteria, small-for-size syndrome can still occur depending on the portal venous flow (PVF). The aim of this study was to identify other factors contributing to portal hyperperfusion and the post-transplant course, focusing on the graft volume-to-spleen volume ratio (GV/SV). Thirty-seven BA patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation were reviewed retrospectively. First, we evaluated the preoperative factors contributing to portal hyperperfusion. Second, we evaluated the factors contributing to post-transplant complications, such as thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, and coagulopathy. The GV/SLV was >35% in all cases; however, portal hyperperfusion (≥250 ml/min/100 g graft) was found in 12 recipients (35.3%). Furthermore, although the GRWR was >0.8% in over 90% of cases, portal hyperperfusion was found in 10 recipients (32.3%). In contrast, the GV/SV showed a significant correlation with the PVF after reperfusion. If the GV/SV was <0.88, about 80% of recipients developed portal hyperperfusion. Furthermore, the GV/SV also showed a significant correlation with post-transplant persistent thrombocytopenia and hyperbilirubinemia. The GV/SV < 0.88 predicts portal hyperperfusion, post-transplant persistent thrombocytopenia, and hyperbilirubinemia.

Impact of preserved collateral veins on small-for-size grafts in living donor liver transplantation.

AIM: Graft size is a critical issue in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We hypothesized that too much portal flow could possibly be diverted into pre-existing collateral veins, alleviating small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) in LDLT. This study evaluated the impact of the preserved collateral veins in the outcomes of LDLT using a small-for-size graft. METHODS: For patient safety, a graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) <0.8% was strictly confined to patients with collateral veins (group A), and the patient group was compared in a 1:3 ratio to a matched group of patients with GRWR ≥0.8% (group B) using propensity score analysis. RESULTS: Forty and 120 patients were included in group A and B, respectively. No significant differences in baseline patient characteristics were observed between the two groups except for graft weight and GRWR. The lowest GRWR was 0.4%. The graft portal inflow showed no significant differences for 7 days after graft implantation, ranging from 1668 to 5100 mL/min. Small-for-size syndrome occurred in no patients (0.0%) in group A and in 10 (8.3%) in group B (P = 0.067). Overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were not different between the two groups (85.0%, 82.5%, and 82.5% vs. 92.5%, 86.7%, and 85.0%, respectively; P = 0.670). CONCLUSION: Pre-existing collateral veins saved during surgery may have a reserve buffer for excessive portal flow to obviate SFSS in LDLT.

Octreotide therapeutic strategy to attenuate portal hyperperfusion resulted from small-for-size graft in infant liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To explore the effectiveness of octreotide therapeutic strategy to attenuate portal hyperperfusion resulted from small-for-size graft in infant liver transplantation.Methods A total of 22 infants received small-for-size liver graft (defined as GV/SLV＜0.5,and GV＜ 150 g) in our hospital from December 2013 to August 2016.Twelve cases (octreotide group) were treated with intravenous octreotide infusion (300 g daily for 24-96 h) to attenuate the portal hyperperfusion after transplantation,and the rest 10 cases given liver transplantation at the early stage did not receive the intervention of octreotide and served as control group.Results The initial portal vein flows (PVFs) in octreotide group and control group were (413.43 ± 76.24) (390.83 ± 107.89) ml/(min 100 g),and there was no significant difference between two groups (P＞0.05).The PVFs on postoperative day (POD) 3 and POD5 in octreotide group and control group were (334.90 ± 96.67) and (441.04 ± 117.41),and (322.20 ± 81.04) and (423.23 ± 100.81) mL/(min 100 g) respectively (P＜0.05 for all).However,there were no significant differences in serum AST and bilirubin levels at four time points (initial,POD3,POD5 and POD7) after transplantation between two groups (P＞0.05).The incidence of hepatic artery occlusion,and biliary complications in octreotide group and ontrol group was 33.33％ and 44.44％,and 33.33％ and 11.11％ respectively (P ＞ 0.05 for all).Conclusion Octreotide treatment attenuated portal hyperperfusion resulted from small-for-size graft in infant liver transplantation.However,the effects of octreotide therapy on graft biochemical tests,the hepatic artery and biliary complications were still unclear,and further investigation is needed.

Octreotide therapeutic strategy to attenuate portal hyperperfusion resulted from small-for-size graft in infant liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To explore the effectiveness of octreotide therapeutic strategy to attenuate portal hyperperfusion resulted from small-for-size graft in infant liver transplantation.Methods A total of 22 infants received small-for-size liver graft (defined as GV/SLV＜0.5,and GV＜ 150 g) in our hospital from December 2013 to August 2016.Twelve cases (octreotide group) were treated with intravenous octreotide infusion (300 g daily for 24-96 h) to attenuate the portal hyperperfusion after transplantation,and the rest 10 cases given liver transplantation at the early stage did not receive the intervention of octreotide and served as control group.Results The initial portal vein flows (PVFs) in octreotide group and control group were (413.43 ± 76.24) (390.83 ± 107.89) ml/(min 100 g),and there was no significant difference between two groups (P＞0.05).The PVFs on postoperative day (POD) 3 and POD5 in octreotide group and control group were (334.90 ± 96.67) and (441.04 ± 117.41),and (322.20 ± 81.04) and (423.23 ± 100.81) mL/(min 100 g) respectively (P＜0.05 for all).However,there were no significant differences in serum AST and bilirubin levels at four time points (initial,POD3,POD5 and POD7) after transplantation between two groups (P＞0.05).The incidence of hepatic artery occlusion,and biliary complications in octreotide group and ontrol group was 33.33％ and 44.44％,and 33.33％ and 11.11％ respectively (P ＞ 0.05 for all).Conclusion Octreotide treatment attenuated portal hyperperfusion resulted from small-for-size graft in infant liver transplantation.However,the effects of octreotide therapy on graft biochemical tests,the hepatic artery and biliary complications were still unclear,and further investigation is needed.

Split liver transplantation: What's unique?

The intraoperative management of split liver transplantation (SLT) has some unique features as compared to routine whole liver transplantations. Only the liver has this special ability to regenerate that confers benefits in survival and quality of life for two instead of one by splitting livers. Primary graft dysfunction may result from small for size syndrome. Graft weight to recipient body weight ratio is significant for both trisegmental and hemiliver grafts. Intraoperative surgical techniques aim to reduce portal hyperperfusion and decrease venous portal pressure. Ischemic preconditioning can be instituted to protect against ischemic reperfusion injury which impacts graft regeneration. Advancement of the technique of SLT is essential as use of split cadaveric grafts expands the donor pool and potentially has an excellent future.