Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy. Comparison before and after orthotopic liver transplantation

Sixty-two patients were evaluated before and after liver transplantation on a battery of neuropsychologic tests measuring hepatic encephalopathy. Compared to controls, deficits were found on tasks measuring memory and visuospatial capacity prior to transplantation. Most of these deficits were ameliorated following the surgery. It is concluded that functional psychological capacity is restored to a large extent, but not completely, following orthotopic liver transplantation.     

The value of intraoperative Doppler-flowmetry in assessment of blood flow after the hepatic artery reconstruction during the orthotopic liver transplantation

The practical relevance of volumetric blood flow in the hepatic artery during orthotopic liver transplantation was determined. From May 2009 to January 2011 25 patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. Volumetric blood flow in the hepatic artery is routinely measured using a Doppler flow meter during the operation. In 15 cases out of 25 (60%) the blood flow rate immediately after the formation of arterial anastomosis was 150 ml/min (190 +/- 40 ml/min) and increased to adequate with repeated measurements. In 2 cases out of 25 (8%) the blood flow rate reduced in repeated measurements, but by the end of operation the blood flow to the hepatic artery was at the satisfactory level. Blood flow less than 150ml/min immediately after the formation of arterial anastomosis was found in 8 cases out of 25 (32%). The cause of inadequate blood flow was identified and corrected. There were no cases of hepatic artery thrombosis at the early postoperative period. The routine use of intraoperative blood flow measurements allows timely determination of insufficient arterial blood supply of the transplant and elimination of its causes.     

肝移植术后肝动脉狭窄的防治策略

目的 探讨肝移植术后不同肝动脉狭窄类型治疗时机的选择和疗效.方法 2003年10月至2007年5月,本院共有21例肝移植病人术后发生肝动脉狭窄,其中19例接受肝动脉支架放置术,2例定期随访观察;同时监测介入治疗前后肝功能、肝动脉通畅程度变化及病人临床转归等情况.结果 肝移植术后肝动脉狭窄发生率为3.43%(21/613),诊断中位时间146 d.6例早期肝动脉狭窄病人均接受介入治疗,其中病死2例,存活4例病人中有2例再移植.15例晚期肝动脉狭窄病人中,13例接受介入治疗,其中病死4例,再移植2例,7例存活但肝功能反复出现异常.另外2例在肝门及肝内分支形成良好的侧支循环,肝功能维持稳定.结论 移植术后应根据肝动脉狭窄类型、胆道缺血损伤程度以及有无良好侧支循环代偿等综合因素采取个体化治疗策略.     

Direct measurement of hepatic blood flow during living donor liver transplantation in children

Background

The changes in liver blood flow associated with living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in children have not yet been studied. The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in hepatic hemodynamics before and after pediatric partial liver transplantation.

Methods

In 7 pediatric recipients with congenital cholestasis and native liver Child-Pugh classes B and C, portal vein flow (PVF) and hepatic arterial flow (HAF) were measured using an ultrasonic transit time flow meter before removal of the native liver and after transplantation and compared with donor left PVF and donor left HAF.

Results

The mean portal contribution to total hepatic blood flow was markedly decreased in the recipient native liver compared with that in the donor (69% ± 15% vs 32% ± 15%; P = .0003) and after reperfusion changed to almost the same ratio as that in the donor liver (73% ± 18%; P < .0001).

Conclusion

The extreme imbalance between PVF and HAF that is common in implanted partial liver in adult LDLT recipients was not observed in pediatric LDLT. After transplantation of an appropriately sized liver graft, the portal contribution to total liver blood flow normalized to the value for normal liver.     

Intraoperative hepatic artery blood flow predicts early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation

Hepatic artery complications after orthotopic liver transplantation are associated with a high rate of graft loss and mortality (23% to 35%) because they can lead to liver ischemia. The reported incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after adult liver transplantation is 2.5% to 6.8%. Typically, these patients are treated with urgent surgical revascularization or emergent liver retransplantation. Since January 2007, we have recorded the postanastomotic hepatic artery flow after revascularization. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between hepatic blood flow on revascularization and early HAT. Retrospectively, we reviewed perioperative variables from 110 consecutive liver transplantation performed at the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital (Seville, Spain) between January 2007 and October 2010. We evaluated the following preoperative (donor and recipient) and intraoperative variables: donor and recipient age, cytomegalovirus serology, ABO-compatibility, anatomical variations of the donor hepatic artery, number of arterial anastomoses, portal and hepatic artery flow before closure, cold ischemia time, and blood transfusion. These variables were included in a univariate analysis. Of the 110 patients included in the study, 85 (77.7%) were male. The median age was 52 years. ABO blood groups were identical between donor and recipient in all the patients. The prevalence of early HAT was 6.36% (7 of 110). Crude mortality with/without HAT was 22% versus 2% (P = .001), respectively. Crude graft loss rate with/without HAT was 27% versus 4% (P = .003), respectively. Early HAT was shown to be primarily associated with intraoperative hepatic artery blood flow (93.3 mL/min recipients with HAT versus 187.7 mL/min recipients without HAT, P < .0001). No retransplantation showed early HAT. In our experience, intraoperative hepatic artery blood flow predicts early HAT after liver transplantation.     

Intraoperative flow measurement of native liver and allograft during orthotopic liver transplantation in children

Hepatic hemodynamic changes during liver transplantation (OLT) in children have not yet been studied. We measured intraoperative portal vein flow (PVF) and hepatic arterial flow (HAF) (mL/min) in 53 children and 58 grafts during OLT. Flows were measured in the native organ and in the allograft. In the native liver, PVF and HAF are similar; after transplantation they return to the physiological situation. No flow differences were seen between whole and partial grafts. Among the 8 (14%) portal vein thromboses, PVF was lower in both the native liver and the graft than in the no thrombosis group (P < .05). PVF <5 mL/min/kg was a risk factor to develop PV thrombosis. No graft loss occurred in 3 cases without PVF at the time of OLTs despite the observation that repermeabilization was not possible. In 4 patients with PVF <5 mL/min/kg, after tying a spontaneous spleno-renal shunt (n = 3) or performing a porto-renal vein anastomosis (n = 1), PVF reached >20 mL/min/kg, avoiding thrombosis. In conclusion, PVF and HAF measurements during pediatric OLT may predict patients at high risk for development of PV thrombosis.     

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目的探讨肝移植术后肝动脉并发症的危险因素以及肝动脉并发症的预防和治疗手段：方法回顾性分析2004年中山大学附属第一医院实施的181例同种原位肝移植病人的临床资料。结果181例肝移植病人中与动脉相关的并发症共12例，发生率为6．6％（12／181）;术后近期发生的7例动脉相关并发症中，5例为动脉血栓形成，2例为误伤右副肝动脉而继发的大面积肝坏死；术后远期发生的5例动脉相关并发症中，动脉血栓形成2例和动脉广泛狭窄3例。所有12例与动脉相关的并发症中，接受再次肝脏移植者7例，3例行急诊肝动脉取栓术并重建肝动脉血流；2例进行溶栓治疗。因肝动脉并发症导致死亡6例，占该组肝移植病人死亡的28、6％（6／21）。结论显微外科技术在肝动脉吻合中的应用以及预防或及时纠正血液高凝状态，可以降低动脉并发症的发生率。肝动脉相关并发症的处理应采用个体化治疗方案，再血管化手术或再次肝移植是治疗肝动脉并发症的最常用方案。对已估计到即使行再动脉化术后肝功能也不能逆转的病人，应积极准备再次肝移植，且应在移植肝功能衰竭和严重感染出现之前进行.     

Diagnosis and treatment of hepatic artery stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Multidetector Computed Tomographic Angiography (MDCTA) to detect hepatic artery (HA) stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and the efficacy of treatment using percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with OLT underwent MDCTA for evaluation of HA, followed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) (gold standard). Source images (Ax) were processed, obtaining multiplanar reformations (MPRs), maximum intensity projections (MIPs), and volume renderings (VRs). Images were evaluated to identify the following: (1) arterial depiction (celiac axis, anastomosis, and left [LHA] and right [RHA] HA), (2) detection of stenoses, and (3) grading of stenoses. Indications for PTA were set at MDCTA and DSA, and PTA was performed when appropriate. RESULTS: MDCTA depicted the celiac axis and anastomoses in all patients; LHA and RHA were visualized in 21 of 22 patients with Ax, MPRs, and MIPs, and in 17 of 22 with VRs. All reconstruction modalities enabled correct diagnosis of celiac (n = 3) and anastomotic stenoses (n = 14). Of 6 LHA and RHA stenoses, 4 (66.7%) were visualized with Ax, MPRs, and VRs, and 5 (83.3%) were visualized with MIPs. Stenosis was overestimated in 9 (39.1%) cases with VRs and in 3 (13%) with the other modalities. PTA was performed in 8 cases, with 1 case of arterial dissection requiring re-OLT. At a median follow-up of 28 months, the primary and secondary patency rates were 71.4% (5 of 7) and 85.7% (6 of 7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MDCTA and accurate postprocessing enable confident depiction of the arterial anatomy and detection of stenosis after OLT. PTA is safe and allows allograft saving, at least until another suitable donor becomes available.     

The importance of orthotopic liver transplantation in acute hepatic failure

Selection of patients with acute hepatic failure for liver transplantation remains difficult, and there is no definite proof of a survival effect. We therefore did a retrospective study in 75 consecutive patients referred over a 12-year period. In two-thirds we identified a cause, mostly viruses or drugs. Patients were grouped by the Clichy and King's College criteria. In 20 there was no indication for transplantation. Of the 5 with autoimmune hepatitis, 3 died, significantly differing from the other 15 ( P = 0.009). The remaining 55 met our criteria, except 1. All 9 patients with absolute contraindications died. Of the 46 enlisted, 7 died without transplantation. One-year survival after transplantation was 69%, compared with 58% by "intention to treat." For patients enlisted, transplantation reduced mortality by 78% ( P = 0.069). The Clichy and King's College criteria reliably predict survival without transplantation, except in autoimmune hepatitis. Our study strongly suggests that transplantation improves survival.     

同种异体原位肝移植的肝动脉重建

目的 总结同种异体原位肝移植术中肝动脉吻合的经验。方法 回顾悸分析20例原位肝移植术中影响肝动脉吻合的因素和处理技巧。结果 16例行供、受者肝固有动脉端端吻合，3例供者肝总动脉与受者肝固有动脉吻合，1例供者肝总动脉与受者脾动脉吻合；术后彩色多普勒超声监测显示肝动脉血流通畅，均未发现有血栓形成或肝动脉狭窄，全部病例未发生胆道并发症，现存活15例。结论 合理选择吻合用血管是避免术后发生血栓形成和动脉狭窄的关键。     

肝移植术后早期动脉并发症的治疗与预后

目的 探讨原位肝移植术(OLT)后动脉并发症的危险因素和诊治策略.方法 回顾性分析2005年1月至2007年9月180例原位肝移植临床资料.比较肝良性疾病与原发性肝癌原位肝移植术后动脉并发症的发生率.观察动脉并发症受者的长期生存率.结果 180例中,12例(6.7％)发生动脉并发症,其中肝动脉血栓(HAT)3例,肝...     

肝移植术后肝动脉并发症的治疗

目的 探讨肝移植术后肝动脉并发症治疗方式与时机的选择.方法 总结2003年10月至2007年3月中山大学附属第三医院肝脏移植中心25例肝移植术后肝动脉并发症的临床资料,分析介入溶栓、经皮腔内血管成形(PTA)、支架植入和再次肝移植对肝动脉并发症预后的影响.结果 本组患者肝移植术后肝动脉血栓形成(hepatic artery thrombosis,HAT)5例,2例患者因肝功能衰竭行再移植治疗,术后均存活;3例接受介入溶栓治疗后,1例肝功能恢复正常,1例死亡,1例再次出现HAT,并再次移植术后因多器官功能衰竭死亡.术后1个月内出现肝动脉狭窄(hepatic arterystenosis,HAS)者12例,因肝功能衰竭行再移植2例;支架植入10例(治疗后因胆道缺血性改变行再移植4例);6例再移植患者存活4例,因颅内出血和感染死亡2例.术后1个月后出现HAS者8例,行肝动脉支架植入5例,肝功能好转.因胆道缺血性改变接受再移植1例.另外2例行保守治疗,情况稳定未作处理.结论 肝移植术后肝动脉并发症的治疗应根据并发症采用个体化的治疗方案.HAT的治疗以再次肝移植为主,HAS以介入治疗为主,一旦出现胆道缺血性改变,应及时行再次肝移植.     

Hepatic artery thrombosis and intraoperative hepatic artery flow rates in adult orthotopic liver transplantation

Introduction: Thrombosis of the hepatic artery following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) can be a devastating com­plication impacting on recipient outcome. The utility of routine intraoperative flow measurements of the hepatic artery in predicting subsequent hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is presented in this study. Methods: Data on all adult OLT recipients between July 1995 and May 2000 were analysed. This included the routine intra­operative flow measurements of both the hepatic artery and portal vein using a Doppler flow meter. Results: Thirteen out of 198 (6.6%) instances of OLT were complicated by HAT. The mean and median flow rates of the hepatic artery in the OLT with HAT were 262 mL/min and 220 mL/min, respectively. These were significantly lower than the respective values of 436 mL/min and 400 mL/min in the OLT without HAT (P = 0.0036). This was independent of recipient age, sex, weight and intraoperative portal flow rates. However there was extensive overlap for the intraoperative hepatic artery flow rates obtained between the HAT and non‐HAT groups. The risk of HAT was increased by a factor of 6 if the intraoperative hepatic artery flow rate was less than 200 mL/min. The average allograft survival was significantly lower in the HAT group at 373 days vs the non‐HAT group at 763 days (P = 0.026). Conclusion: The routine use of intraoperative flow measurements of the hepatic artery may be a useful adjunct in identifying the hepatic artery reconstruction, which is at risk of subsequent HAT.     

原位肝移植术后再手术的原因分析

目的探讨导致原位肝移植术后再手术的原因。方法回顾性分析4年间所施行225例原位肝移植的临床资料，对其中病例需行再手术的原因进行分析总结。结果225例患者中，有27例患者肝移植后因出血等原因需再次手术，其中5例接受2次再手术，再手术率为14．2％（32／225）。再手术原因包括：腹腔内出血17例次，占再手术总例次的53．1％（17／32）；胆道并发症11例次，占再手术总例次的34．3％（11／32）；肝动脉栓塞2例次，占再手术总例次的6．3％（2／32）；其它2例次，其中上消化道出血1例、胸腔出血1例，占再手术总例次的6．3％（2／32）。再手术方式包括缝扎出血点、渗血创面电凝、胆道吻合口重建、肝动脉重建及再次肝移植等。27例再手术病例中，7例患者再手术后死亡，死亡率为25．9％（7／27）。结论原位肝移植术后再手术的原因是多方面的，其中腹腔内出血及胆道并发症是两大主要原因；认识术后再手术的原因，并采取正确的处理，对降低原位肝移植患者的死亡率具有重要意义。     

Evaluation of hepatic function after orthotopic liver transplantation: a comparative study using Belzer and Collins solutions

Belzer and Collins are solutions used in liver transplantation. The purpose of this study was to compare liver function after utilization of two different schemes of graft preservation using both solutions. Between December 2004 and September 2005, 43 liver transplantations were performed. Twenty-three of these used 2 L of Collins solution and 2 L of Belzer solution as the preservation solution. The others used three L of Collins and 1 L of Belzer solution as the preservation solution. The cold ischemia time of both groups was similar. We analyzed liver function using the serum ALT, AST, bilirubin and international normalized ratio. On the first day after the transplantation, the level of international normalized ratio of the group of patients that used 1 L of Belzer was significantly higher than the other group (P<.05). The levels of ALT, AST, and bilirubin were not different on day 7 after transplantation. We concluded that using only 1 L of Belzer solution is as efficient with the advantage that it is less expensive.     

Portal blood flow and liver regeneration in auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation in a canine model

Functional competition has been shown to lead to a detrimental outcome in auxiliary liver transplantation. We evaluated the interaction in auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation between the native liver and the graft in terms of portal flow and regeneration. The need for diversion of the portal flow to the graft was also assessed. Reduced-size liver grafts were transplanted orthotopically after partial hepatectomy in beagles. There were two groups: the preserved group, where portal inflow to the native liver was preserved, and the ligated group, where it was interrupted. Portal flow was measured serially and liver regeneration was evaluated on postoperative day 5. Functional competition was not observed in the preserved group. On the other hand, ligation of the native liver portal vein had no obviously detrimental effects on the remnant native liver. This leads to the conclusion that the portal vein to the native liver can be safely ligated to prevent functional competition.