Orthotopic heart transplantation in a child with severe heart failure and chylous ascites.

We report a case of a heart transplantation in a 12-year-old girl 9 years after extensive lung resection and adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy for intra-thoracic embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma. She had restrictive cardiomyopathy with severe heart failure and chylous ascites. She was treated successfully with orthotopic heart transplantation and her symptoms of chylous ascites subsided gradually after transplantation. Her abdominal girth decreased from 79 cm before the transplant to 53 cm 9 months after the transplant.     

Massive ascites due to right heart failure after cardiac transplantation and its treatment: a case report

Ascites is a common clinical condition during right heart failure. In this short report we have presented a patient with massive ascites due to right heart failure after cardiac transplantation who was previously operated for Ebstein's anomaly and pulmonary stenosis as well as mitral and tricuspid valve repairs. Right heart failure increases the accumulation of ascites which decreases the preload of the heart and cardiac output. Aggressive paracentesis may be a definitive solution for this type of patient.     

Incarceration of umbilical hernia following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for the treatment of ascites.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective therapy for patients with medically refractory ascites. Many patients with refractory ascites have umbilical herniation. Incarceration of umbilical hernia has been reported following diuresis, paracentesis, and peritoneovenous shunting. We report 2 cases of umbilical hernia incarceration following resolution of ascites after TIPS.     

Emergency Liver Transplantation After Umbilical Hernia Repair: A Case Report

We report a rare case of acute liver failure due to embolization of the liver after an umbilical hernia repair in a patient with Child B liver cirrhosis and status posttransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS). This patient initially presented with a symptomatic umbilical hernia. His umbilical vein was open (Cruveilhier–Baumgarten syndrome). After hernia repair the patient developed thrombosis of the umbilical vein with consequent partial embolization to, and acute failure of, the liver. The patient underwent successful emergency liver transplantation. This disease needs close collaboration among surgeons, gastroenterologists, hepatologists, radiologists, nutritionists, and transplant teams to establish an effective treatment plan.     

脐疝合并腹水的疝修补手术治疗

目的 探讨脐疝合并腹水时腹水的控制、手术时机及手术方式的选择.方法 回顾性分析21例脐疝合并腹水患者的临床资料,少量腹水以口服利尿药为主,中等量腹水以联合利尿为主,顽固性腹水给予腹腔放液(3000 ml/次)治疗,同时给予适量的白蛋白和羟乙基淀粉静脉扩容及小剂量的多巴胺和联合利尿等综合治疗,如腹水重新有积聚,间隔2～4 d再次腹腔放液.待腹壁张力下降,腹围缩小,疝囊壁松软出现皱缩,再开始手术.术前经过1～2次放液治疗后如仍有较明显的腹水,术中需缓慢腹腔放液控制在4000 ml以下,术后继续联合利尿巩固治疗.本组21例,行传统缝合修补1例,无张力疝修补20例.结果 本组21例手术均顺利,手术时间25～90 min,平均45 min.术后切口感染1例,为脐疝破裂患者,3周后死于肝功能衰竭;血清肿1例自愈;余患者末发现肝肾及心脑肺并发症.术后随访19例,失访1例.随访时间2～52个月,平均23个月,无复发病例.结论 对脐疝合并腹水的患者,加强围手术期处理,把握好手术时机,无张力疝修补术同样具有手术安全、术后恢复快、疗效满意和复发率低等优点.     

脐疝嵌顿伴肝硬化腹水15例的治疗体会

目的 总结对肝硬化腹水患者之嵌顿性脐疝的治疗经验.方法 回顾性分析2002年6月至2007年6月收治的嵌顿性脐疝伴肝硬化腹水15例患者的手术方法、围手术期处理及随访资料.15例患者均行急诊手术,11例因脐部皮肤坏死而行局部皮肤切除,探查疝内容物后发现11例疝内容物坏死,给与切除,其中小肠坏死5例、大网膜坏死6例.彻底冲洗术野后应用聚丙烯补片进行疝修补,其中对11例疝环最长径超过3 cm患者行Sublay修补,对4例疝环最长径小于3 cm者行Onlay修补,同时在围手术期补充人血白蛋白及新鲜冰冻血浆、利尿、放腹水等治疗.结果 15例患者均顺利完成手术,手术时间90～185 min,平均122 min.2例患者术后出现皮下积液,1例发生切口感染,均经穿刺、换药等保守治疗治愈;1例患者术后因多脏器功能衰竭而死亡,其余治愈出院,住院日在15～30 d,平均21.5 d.14例生存者均获得随访,随访时间1～5年,平均3.5年.无脐疝复发,无局部不适,其中1例患者术后2年因肝功能衰竭死亡.结论 肝硬化腹水患者的嵌顿性脐疝可行急诊手术用聚丙烯补片完成一期无张力疝修补,但须注意彻底清除感染灶、选择合适的手术方式、及在围手术期针对肝硬化腹水进行有效治疗.     

Liver Cirrhosis From Chronic Hypervitaminosis A Resulting in Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Herein we report a case of liver dysfunction caused by consumption of vitamin A supplements leading to liver transplantation. The patient was a 48-year-old male with a medical history of congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma in treatment with vitamin A until 12 years of age, at which point he discontinued the supplements because he had developed ascites. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed as secondary to hypervitaminosis A on the basis of histologic examination of liver biopsy and the absence of other potential causes of chronic liver disease. Despite interruption of administration of vitamin A, the patient continued to deteriorate over the years, with development of portal hypertension signs. His medical conditions were aggravated with the development of hepatic insufficiency manifested by refractory ascites, renal insufficiency, and severe encephalopathy and he underwent orthotopic liver transplantation, followed by disappearance of all signs of portal hypertension. This case highlights the need to take a careful history of consumption of vitamin A when evaluating a patient with liver failure.     

Peritoneovenous shunt therapy for leaking ascites in the cirrhotic patient.

Review of clinical and operative records of 86 patients at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and Mount Sinai Hospital undergoing peritoneovenous (PV) shunt for intractable ascites revealed a subgroup of patients (n = 9) who developed leaking ascites prior to shunting. The etiology of leaking ascites was as follows: 1) ruptured umbilical hernia ( UH ) (four patients), 2) repeated paracentesis (three patients), and 3) postoperative incisional ascitic fluid leak (two patients). Initial therapy included local sterile compression dressing, intravenous antibiotics, and management of fluid and electrolytes. All nine patients underwent subsequent closure of the fascial defect and PV shunt to prevent reaccumulation of ascites (simultaneous procedures were performed in five patients). No patient developed postoperative septic complications, organ failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, or encephalopathy. There were no early deaths; however, three late deaths (18 months, 2, and 4 years) were due to variceal bleeding and/or liver failure. Ascites was well controlled in seven patients with PV shunt alone, the other two ultimately responding to medical therapy. We conclude that peritoneal fluid leaks can be treated successfully by repairing the fascial defect and placing a PV shunt. In the absence of infected ascites and clinical peritonitis, PV shunt may be performed simultaneously with closure of UH , thus preventing the reaccumulation of ascites during the immediate postoperative period.     

Development of Refractory Ascites during Amiodarone Therapy in a Hemodialysis Patient with Nephrogenic and Cardiogenic Ascites

In this report, the clinical characteristics of a 65-year-old female patient with tricuspid regurgitation, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and chronic renal failure were retrospectively evaluated. Laboratory studies revealed cardiogenic ascites coincided with nephrogenic ascites and subclinical amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism. The ascites of the patient was responsive to management of congestive heart failure and therapeutic paracentesis during the first episode, add-on therapy with intensified hemodialysis during the second episode, and add-on therapy with low-dose eltroxin during the third episode. When nephrogenic ascites and cardiogenic ascites of maintenance hemodialysis patients become refractory, hypothyroidism should be examined in these patients.     

Development of Refractory Ascites during Amiodarone Therapy in a Hemodialysis Patient with Nephrogenic and Cardiogenic Ascites

In this report, the clinical characteristics of a 65-year-old female patient with tricuspid regurgitation, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and chronic renal failure were retrospectively evaluated. Laboratory studies revealed cardiogenic ascites coincided with nephrogenic ascites and subclinical amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism. The ascites of the patient was responsive to management of congestive heart failure and therapeutic paracentesis during the first episode, add-on therapy with intensified hemodialysis during the second episode, and add-on therapy with low-dose eltroxin during the third episode. When nephrogenic ascites and cardiogenic ascites of maintenance hemodialysis patients become refractory, hypothyroidism should be examined in these patients.     

Vitamin A toxicity: when one a day doesn't keep the doctor away.

Vitamin A toxicity has been reported to cause severe liver disease and, occasionally, liver failure. Herein we present the case of a 60-year-old male with symptoms of muscle soreness, alopecia, nail dystrophy, and ascites. He continued to deteriorate with the development of refractory ascites, renal insufficiency, encephalopathy, and failure to thrive. A liver biopsy demonstrated presence of Ito cells and vacuolated Kupffer cells without the presence of cirrhosis. His clinical history revealed ingestion of large doses of vitamin A. His worsening clinical situation ruled out the possibility of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. The patient underwent orthotopic liver transplantation with resolution of symptoms. Vitamin A toxicity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of noncirrhotic portal hypertension. In conclusion, liver transplantation is a valid option if no improvement occurs in spite of cessation of the medication.     

Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation Nine Years After Liver Transplantation—A Case Report

In this case report we have described a patient suffering from sclerosing cholangitis, diabetes mellitus type I, and consequent end-stage renal disease who was successfully treated with simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation 9 years after orthotopic liver transplantation.     

Successful treatment of Nocardia nova bacteremia and multilobar pneumonia with clarithromycin in a heart transplant patient

Nocardia is an opportunistic pathogen in solid organ transplantation for which long-term sulfonamide therapy is considered the treatment of choice. We report a patient 7 months status post-orthotopic heart transplantation with Nocardia nova bacteremia and pneumonia. Initial treatment consisted of intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which cleared blood cultures, but the patient subsequently went into renal failure and required alternative therapy. This report describes the first case of N nova bacteremia after orthotopic heart transplantation successfully treated with clarithromycin. All therapy should be guided by antibiotic sensitivity, and combination therapy should be considered in acutely ill patients and cases where in vitro synergy has been documented. This case suggests that clarithromycin can be an alternative treatment in cases of sulfonamide resistance, intolerance, or allergy.     

Laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernia after left ventricular assist device

This case report describes a patient with a symptomatic diaphragmatic hernia that developed after orthotopic heart transplantation and explantation of a left ventricular assist device. The hernia was repaired laparoscopically, and at 6-month follow-up, she is without evidence of recurrence.     

Umbilical paracentesis for incarcerated umbilical hernia in patients with end-stage liver disease

Purpose

Patients with cirrhosis and ascites are prone to abdominal wall complications largely predominate by umbilical hernia. Elective surgery is indicated in select patients but a high morbidity and mortality rate occurs if it is performed in emergency conditions.

Methods

We present a clinical case of a patient with advanced alcoholic liver disease who came to the emergency room for an acutely incarcerated umbilical hernia. Due to the high surgical risk, we had to discuss other treatment options.

Results

The use of umbilical paracentesis for incarcerated hernia reduction in cirrhotic patients with tense ascites is a safe and reproducible technique.

Conclusions

Umbilical paracentesis could be considered as an alternative to emergency surgery in these high-risk patients.

     

Orthotopic cardiac transplantation 30 months after successful dynamic cardiomyoplasty

Reports of cardiac transplantation after successful cardiomyoplasty are rare. We report the case of a 63-year-old man with intractable heart failure who underwent successful orthotopic cardiac transplantation 30 months after dynamic cardiomyoplasty.     

Monotherapy With Tacrolimus for Heart and Liver Transplant: A Case Report

Background

Multiple-organ transplantation cases are rare, partly due to the shortage of donor organs. However, recent reports of outcomes of multiple-organ transplantations show encouraging survival rates for recipients as compared to single-organ transplant recipients.

Case report

A 33-year-old female who was a known hepatitis B carrier and who had been diagnosed with peripartum dilated cardiomyopathy was experiencing end-stage heart failure. The patient received orthotopic heart transplantation. After heart transplantation, the recipient received prednisolone, cyclosporine, and mycophenolate mofetil for immunosuppressive therapy. Seventy-one days later, the recipient began to develop progressive jaundice, ascites, and hepatoencephalopathy and was re-admitted to the hospital. Fulminant hepatitis was diagnosed. She was referred for emergency cadaveric liver transplantation 110 days after the heart transplantation because of her critical condition. After transplantation, she was improved and her condition maintained by a single immunosuppressive therapy, tacrolimus, with mean dose of 0.06 mg/kg/d.

Conclusion

We presented a case that was complicated by fulminant hepatitis after heart transplantation and successfully rescued by liver transplantation.     

Late failure of double-inlet left ventricle septation: treatment by orthotopic heart transplantation

We report a patient in whom orthotopic heart transplantation was performed after late failure of ventricular septation for double-inlet left ventricle. This case shows that orthotopic heart transplantation represents a valid therapeutic alternative in children with previous correction of complex congenital heart defects not amenable to further intracardiac repair.     

动静脉内瘘关闭修复术在肾移植中的应用

目的：探讨动静脉内瘘关闭修复术对心功能的影响,以扩大同种异体肾移植适应证。方法：对８例长期血液透析反复出现心力衰竭者在肾移植前５个月行动静脉内瘘关闭修复术。结果：心腔恢复正常７例,心腔内径在正常上限１例。肾移植成功６例,肝功能衰竭死亡１例,自发性肾破裂作肾切除１例。结论：肾移植前先行动静脉内瘘关闭修复术有利于改善患者心、肺功能,扩大手术适应证,减少并发症,为肾移植创造有利条件。     

Successful Bridging to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation by Azacitidine and Venetoclax in a Case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia With t(3;3)(q21.3;q26.2) Developed Early After Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

A 48-year-old male patient developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(3;3)(q21.3;q26.2) chromosomal mutation 8 months after orthotopic heart transplantation from a human leukocyte antigen-unmatched brain-dead donor for cardiac sarcoidosis. He had sequelae of stroke and chronic renal failure at the time of AML diagnosis. He received 3 cycles of azacitidine and venetoclax induction therapy and achieved complete hematological remission with incomplete count recovery without causing severe complications, including infection. He sequentially underwent allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from a HLA-8/8 matched, ABO-blood matched, unrelated female donor and successfully achieved donor cell engraftment. His transplanted heart was viable, and the coronary vessels were not damaged even after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Although AML relapsed afterward, azacytidine/venetoclax was a tolerable bridging therapy even for early-onset AML after heart transplantation.