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.     

Evaluation of Early and Late Effects of Surgical Treatment of Early Hepatic Artery Thrombosis After Liver Transplantation

BackgroundHepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is the most severe vascular complication after liver transplantation and one of the major causes of early graft loss and mortality after transplantation. The number of retransplantations and recipient deaths can be decreased with an urgent thrombectomy of the hepatic artery.The aim of the study was to analyze the early and long-term outcomes of the surgical revascularization of early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation.MethodsFour hundred eleven orthotopic liver transplantations in 380 patients were performed at our center between 2005 and 2020. A Doppler evaluation of the graft vessels patency was performed daily for the first 5 days after transplantation in all recipients. After angio–computed tomography confirmation, most of the cases of HAT qualified for surgical revascularization.ResultsEarly HAT was diagnosed in 20 cases (4.9%), occurring most frequently between the first and third day after transplantation. Sixteen patients underwent revascularization surgery. Among them, in the early post-transplantation period, 4 died and 2 more had retransplantation. Of the remaining 10 recipients, 2 had no biliary complications, 1 had bile leakage, and 7 had common bile duct stenosis, all treated endoscopically. Among 4 nonoperated patients, 1 died and the other 2 had retransplantation in the early post-transplantation period; the last of these 4 recipients had bile duct stenosis.ConclusionsThe urgent surgical revascularization in liver recipients with early HAT allows the avoidance of early retransplantation. However, these patients require intensified surveillance owing to the high risk of biliary complications that may affect shortened graft and patient survival.     

Continuous transcatheter arterial thrombolysis for early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation

Early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after orthotopic liver transplantation remains a significant cause of graft loss and patient death. The most effective treatment approach is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of continuous transcatheter arterial thrombolysis in the treatment of early HAT. Routine posttransplant color Doppler imaging (CDI) was performed to monitor hepatic artery blood flow. HAT was confirmed by arterial angiography in suspected cases. HAT was identified in 8 patients (8/287, 2.8%) which occurred on days 2 to 19 (mean, 5.2 days) after liver transplantation. Patients with HAT were treated with continuous transcatheter arterial thrombolysis using urokinase. Successful revascularization through thrombolysis was obtained in all eight cases. One patient died of a pulmonary infection at 2 months after liver transplantation. Another patient underwent retransplantation because of resistant allograft rejection and recurrence of HAT 6 months after the first operation, but died from multiple system organ failure 2 months later. The other six patients remained in good health during the follow-up period of 3 to 27 months. Our results demonstrate that CDI is an effective method to monitor the occurrence of early HAT after liver transplantation. Furthermore, continuous transcatheter arterial thrombolysis with urokinase could be a rational therapeutic approach to rescue the allograft following early HAT diagnosis confirmed by arterial angiography.     

成人肝移植术后早期肝动脉血栓形成的诊断与治疗

目的 探讨成人肝移植术后肝动脉血栓形成(hepatic artery thrombosis,HAT)的诊断与治疗,及其对患者预后的影响.方法 2007年6月至2010年10月我中心共实施成人尸体肝脏移植387例.术后采用床边彩色多普勒超声监测移植肝血流.疑有肝动脉血栓形成时,采用超声造影或肝动脉造影明确诊断,根据病情采用介入溶栓治疗、手术再血管化治疗及再次肝移植等治疗.结果 387例中术后共有10例患者发生HAT,发生率2.6％.发生HAT的中位时间为肝移植术后7(范围2～18)d.2例采用介入溶栓治疗,其中1例伴肝动脉狭窄放置支架,均痊愈;3例再次手术行肝动脉重建联合肝动脉局部溶栓治疗,其中1例术后再次出现HAT,死亡;2例行再次肝移植,痊愈;3例出现肝内脓肿,严重感染,肝功能恶化死亡.死亡率为40％(4/10).结论 肝移植术后常规彩色多普勒超声监测肝动脉血流是早期发现HAT的关键,超声造影及肝动脉造影可明确诊断;及时采用介入溶栓、手术再血管化及再次肝移植等治疗虽然可减少患者死亡,但预防HAT发生更为重要.     

Utility of Doppler Ultrasonography in Liver Transplantation With Celiac Axis Compression Syndrome: A Case Report

BackgroundCeliac axis compression syndrome (CACS) blocks adequate hepatic arterial flow and is a risk factor for hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation. We report a case of living donor liver transplantation in a 65-year-old Brazilian male with liver cirrhosis of Child-Pugh class C and hepatocellular carcinoma caused by hepatitis C virus infection.ResultsThe patient underwent living donor liver transplantation using the graft of his 34-year-old daughter. Stenosis of the celiac artery was detected on preoperative computed tomography (CT), and CACS was suspected. Maintaining blood supply through the hepatic artery to prevent potential graft loss is essential in liver transplantation. A decrease in common hepatic artery (CHA) flow due to CACS could disturb graft blood supply or lead to hepatic artery thrombosis. In this case, we confirmed CACS through dynamic CT and used intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography (US) to plan the surgical procedure. Three types of hepatic artery reconstruction have been described in liver transplantation for CACS, namely the release of the median arcuate ligament (MAL), aorto-hepatic graft reconstructions, and reconstruction preserving the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) without MAL release. We found that clamping the GDA completely abolished hepatic inflow, but clamping the CHA did not change the hepatic inflow. Therefore, we performed arterial reconstruction without division of the GDA. The patient's postoperative course was good, with excellent hepatic artery flow, as assessed by Doppler US.ConclusionsPreoperative dynamic CT evaluation, adequate preparation of surgical procedures, and intraoperative evaluation by Doppler US is recommended in liver transplantation patients with CACS.     

成人肝移植中的肝动脉搭桥术——澳大利亚 Australia National Liver Transplant Unit的经验

目的 介绍澳大利亚国家肝移植中心在成人肝移植中应用肝动脉搭桥术的经验。方法 对澳大利亚国家肝移植中心（Australia National Liver Transplant Unit，ANLTU）1986—2003年的31例行肝动脉搭桥的成人肝移植结果进行回顾行分析。31例需行肝动脉搭桥的原因有微小受者肝动脉、肝动脉血栓症、肝门严重粘连、肝动脉壁间动脉瘤、真菌性肝动脉瘤及前次植入肝的肝动脉因胆道出血而结扎。18例为首次移植，13例为再次或多次肝移植。结果 术后15例（48．4％）存活，平均存活时间为4．1年，16例（51．6％）死亡，平均存活时间为34．56d。两次和多次肝移植者的死亡率为76．9％，首次肝移植者的死亡率为33．3％（P〈0．05）。因肝动脉血栓症而搭桥者的死亡率最高，其次为肝门严重粘连者。死亡原因依次为败血症、围手术期大出血、颅内出血、肝动脉血栓形成、排斥反应、原发病复发以及心跳骤停。结论 成人肝移植行肝动脉搭桥的适应证主要是各种原因导致的受者肝动脉不适用，或因肝门部严重粘连而无法解剖者；患者术后转归与肝移植的次数及患者的术前状况有关。     

Non‐invasive ICG‐clearance: a useful tool for the management of hepatic artery thrombosis following liver transplantation

Levesque E, Hoti E, Azoulay D, Adam R, Samuel D, Castaing D, Saliba F. Non‐invasive ICG‐clearance: a useful tool for the management of hepatic artery thrombosis following liver transplantation.
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 297–301. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: The clinical presentation of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) post‐liver transplantation (LT) varies considerably. Doppler ultrasonography (Doppler US) is the first line investigation, with a diagnostic sensitivity for HAT as high as 92%. Because indocyanine green (ICG) elimination from the blood depends among other factors on the hepatic blood flow, we hypothesized that plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green (PDR‐ICG) can be influenced by the flow in the hepatic artery. Thus, we evaluated the role of PDR‐ICG measurement in HAT diagnosis in post‐LT patients. Patients and methods: Fourteen liver transplant patients with no visible flow in the hepatic artery (Doppler US) were identified. Of the 14, seven patients had HAT confirmed by CT‐angiography. The PDR‐ICG measurement, an investigation routinely used in our center, was performed in all 14 patients. Results: The PDR‐ICG in patients with HAT was significantly lower than in patients without HAT (5.8 ± 4.3 vs. 23.8 ± 7.4%/min, p = 0.0009). In patients with HAT, after the revascularization, the PDR‐ICG value increased (5.8 ± 4.3 vs. 15.6 ± 3.5%/min, p = 0.006). Conclusion: The ICG elimination may be an adjunct diagnostic tool in the management of patients with suspected HAT following LT.     

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目的 探讨原位肝移植术后肝动脉血栓形成的诊治经验。方法 总结３４例原位肝移植术后的临床资料,结合文献,分析肝移植术后肝动脉血栓形成的诊断和不同治疗方法的结果。结果 本组肝动脉血栓形成发生率为８．８％（３／３４）,３例均经彩超检查诊断,例１术后第５７天死于上消化道出血,经尸检证实,例２和例３经肝动脉造影证实后给予动脉内溶栓,球囊扩成形及放置血管内支架等介入治疗,病人分别在术后第１８,６５天死于感染和     

原位肝移植术后肝动脉血栓形成的诊断和治疗

目的探讨原位肝移植术后肝动脉血栓形成的诊断与治疗。方法回顾性分析我科1996年10月至2004年3月施行的98例次原位肝移植术．其中8例原发性肝癌患者术前有多次TACE史。结果本组病例仅术前有多次TACE史的患者发生肝动脉血栓5例,均经选择性血管造影证实。3例、1例和1例受者分别接受介入溶栓、再血管化手术和再次肝移植。与肝动脉栓塞有关的死亡率为60％(3／5)。结论术前多次TAcE史是移植术后发生肝动脉血栓的高危因素。彩色多普勒超声是监测血管并发症的首选方法。再血管化手术或再次肝移植是治疗肝动脉血栓的有效方案。     

Unconventional Extrahepatic Neovascularization After Transplant Hepatic Artery Thrombosis: A Case Report

Liver neovascularization preserves hepatic function and improves survival in the setting of post-transplant hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). In this report, we have presented a unique case of a neovascularized liver after subclinical HAT in a 46-year-old liver transplant patient in whom a collateral supply was recruited from three unconventional sources: The right colic, right intercostal, and right inferior adrenal arteries. We propose systematic angiographic evaluation of all potential sources of collateral vessel formation for patients with HAT to accurately assess patient risk and determine the need for further intervention or revascularization.     

An alternative method of arterial reconstruction after hepatic arterial thrombosis following living-related liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) remains an important cause of graft loss after liver transplantation. Emergency rearterialization methods are limited in cases of living-related liver transplantation in which the graft hepatic artery is thin and short. CASE: A 19-year-old woman who underwent living-related liver transplantation for biliary atresia developed HAT on the 4th postoperative day. During the emergency laparotomy the recipient hepatic artery was found to be too short to anastomose, so the recipient's right gastroepiploic artery was anastomosed to the graft hepatic artery. The patient is now alive and well 6 months after reoperation, and she has experienced no further episode of HAT. CONCLUSION: The right gastroepiploic artery can be used easily and safely for hepatic graft revascularization without causing ischemia of the stomach. An additional skin incision is not required, and the artery is long enough to anastomose to the graft artery directly. The method of hepatic graft rearterialization described here is an important option for patients who undergo living-related or split liver transplantation.     

Hepatic artery thrombosis and liver malignancy in pediatric liver transplantation

BackgroundHepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) remains a significant cause of graft failure and mortality after pediatric liver transplantation. Conditions not associated with hepatic failure, such as liver tumors, may be more prone to thrombotic problems after transplant. We hypothesized that liver transplant for hepatic malignancies may be associated with increased rates of HAT in the posttransplant period.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients (age, 0-21 years) who underwent primary liver transplantation at a free-standing children's hospital from 1990 to 2009. We reviewed cause of underlying liver disease, age, sex, weight, occurrence of HAT, use of antiplatelets and anticoagulants perioperatively, as well as reintervention, retransplant, and death.ResultsA total of 129 children underwent 146 liver transplants, and 15 (12%) patients developed HAT. Nine liver transplants were performed for hepatic malignancy, and 4 (44%) of these patients developed HAT (relative risk, 4.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-12.2; P = .0015). All 4 children with hepatic malignancy and HAT required reintervention, including 3 retransplants (75%). One of these patients died.ConclusionsHepatic artery thrombosis occurs approximately 5 times more often and appears to be more morbid in children with hepatic malignancy after transplantation. Prospective evaluation of prophylactic anticoagulation regimens in the setting of hepatic malignancy requiring transplantation is warranted.     

活体肝移植术后早期肝动脉血栓形成的诊断与治疗

目的探讨活体肝移植术后早期肝动脉血栓形成的诊断与治疗。方法2006年9月至2009年8月天津市第一中心医院单一外科组共实施110例活体肝移植,移植术后7d内每日用彩色多普勒超声(彩超)监测肝动脉血流,怀疑肝动脉血栓形成行肝动脉造影或腹部CT检查,确诊者予介入治疗或手术治疗。结果该组3例术后5～6d发生肝动脉血栓,肝动脉血栓发生率2.7%(3/110)。其中1例再次手术行肝动脉取栓,术后血流正常;2例行介入治疗,放置支架,术后1例再次血栓形成,1例血流流速偏低,2例均发生胆道并发症,但肝功能正常。3例均存活。结论术后早期用彩超监测对肝动脉血栓的诊断至关重要,及时手术取栓或介入放置支架效果良好。     

原位肝移植肝动脉重建临床分析

目的 总结分析原位肝移植肝动脉重建经验,提高肝移植疗效和受体存活率.方法 总结1995年5月至2006年12月实施的183例肝移植临床资料,常规动脉重建163例,供者腹腔动脉干Carrell's袖片或肝总动脉-脾动脉汇合部与受者肝左-右动脉汇合部吻合25例,胃十二指肠-肝固有动脉汇合部吻合134例,腹腔动脉干吻合4例.采用髂动脉.腹主动脉搭桥20例.术后根据凝血酶原时间(PT),应用普通肝素或低分子肝素抗凝.术中、术后应用多普勒超声监测肝动脉血供.结果 183例肝移植患者中有6例发生肝动脉并发症,发生率为3.28%(6/183),其中肝动脉血栓形成(hepatic artery thrombosis,HAT)5例,肝动脉狭窄(hepatic artery stenosis,HAS)1例.常规通路动脉重建组动脉并发症发生率1.84%(3/163),髂动脉-腹主动脉搭桥组为15.0%(3/20),两者比较差异有统计学意义(X2=9.73,P＜0.01).6例并发症患者中有1例HAT于术后19 d死于多器官功能衰竭,另5例通过介入治疗治愈,死亡率16.7%.结论 正确地选择肝动脉重建吻合的部位和术后有效的抗凝治疗减少HAT和HAS的发生,多普勒超声的早期发现和放射介入的及时治疗可以挽救移植物,避免再移植.     

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.     

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.     

肝移植术后肝动脉血栓形成的预防

目的 探讨肝移植术后肝动脉血栓形成(hepatic artery thrombosis,HAT)的预防.方法 2004年1月至2007年12月我院器官移植科共实施596例成人尸肝移植,自2005年开始采取综合措施预防HAT形成,包括术中重建变异肝动脉,受体肝动脉条件不好的患者采取供体肝动脉与受体腹主动脉搭桥,动脉吻合全部采用显微缝合技术,术后常规监测移植肝血流,对肝动脉峰值流速低于40 cm/s的患者行抗凝治疗.比较2004年实施的181例肝移植患者(A组)与2005-2007年实施的415例肝移植患者(B组)HAT发生情况.结果 A组共有8例患者出现HAT,发生的中位时间为术后11 d(3～41 d),3例表现为急性肝功能恶化,3例表现为胆漏,1例表现为肝脓肿,1例无明显临床症状.B组共有6例患者出现HAT,发生时间为术后8 d(1～21 d),3例表现为急性肝功能恶化,1例表现为胆漏,2例无明显临床症状.B组患者HAT发生率明显低于A组(1.44%vs4.42%,X~2=4.86,P=0.027).A组3例行再次肝移植,共死亡5例,B组3例行肝动脉重建联合肝动脉局部溶栓治疗,2例患者康复出院,1例患者因严重感染、肾功能衰竭死亡.3例患者接受再次肝移植.结论 肝动脉血栓形成是肝移植术后的严重并发症,术中采用显微缝合方式,注意重建变异肝动脉,术后严密监测,及时抗凝治疗可以有效预防肝动脉血栓形成.     

Stent placement in pediatric patients with hepatic artery stenosis or thrombosis after liver transplantation

Hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) and thrombosis (HAT) after orthotopic liver transplantation remain significant causes of graft loss. Postoperative HAT follows approximately 5% to 19% of orthotopic liver transplantation. It is seen more frequently in pediatric patients. In the past, repeat transplantation was considered the first choice for therapy. Recently, interventional radiological techniques, such as thrombolysis, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, or stent placement in the hepatic artery, have been suggested, but little data exist related to stent placement in the thrombosed hepatic artery during the early postoperative period in pediatric patients. Between March 2000 and March 2005, percutaneous endoluminal stent placement was performed in seven pediatric liver transplant patients. HAT or HAS initially diagnosed in all cases by Doppler ultrasound then confirmed angiographically. We intervened in four cases of hepatic artery stenosis and three cases of hepatic artery occlusion. Stents were placed in all patients. Three ruptures were seen during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the hepatic artery using a covered coronary stents on the first, fifth day, or 17th postoperative day. In one patient, dissection of the origin of the common hepatic artery developed owing to a guiding sheath, and a second stent was placed to cover the dissected segment. The other two hepatic artery stents remained patent. In one stent became occluded at 3 months after the intervention with no clinical problems. Follow-up ranged from 9 to 40 months. In conclusion, early and late postoperative stent placement in the graft hepatic artery was technically feasible.     

Hepatic Angiosarcoma Post-Renal Transplantation: A Case Report

BackgroundDNA damage and oncogenic viruses increase the risk of cancer post-kidney transplantation, including skin cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, oral cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Here we report an uncommon case of liver angiosarcoma that occurred 8 years after kidney transplantation. This study strictly complied with the Helsinki Congress and the Istanbul Declaration regarding donor source.Case reportA 57-year-old female patient received a cadaver kidney transplantation 8 years ago. She followed a long-term regimen of tacrolimus, mycophenolate sodium, and everolimus, with good renal function. She received annual regular abdominal ultrasound examinations after kidney transplantation, which showed no findings. The patient suffered from several symptoms for approximately 2 weeks before a scheduled abdominal ultrasound: diarrhea, epigastric pain, abdominal fullness, tea-colored urine, and little stool passage. The abdominal computerized tomography showed multiple hepatic tumors in both the hepatic lobes with engorged vasculatures and mild hemoperitoneum. A liver biopsy revealed the histopathology of angiosarcoma. The patient suffered multiple organ failure within one month of treatment.ConclusionsVarious post-transplant malignancies are not uncommon after transplantation, warranting periodic screenings for any symptoms in these patients.     

Isoniazid-related fulminant hepatic failure in a child: assessment of the native liver’s early regeneration after auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation

We report the first case of auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) in a patient with isoniazid (INH)-related fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) with the aim to determine the ability of the native liver (NL) to recover after this particular toxic event. A 10-year-old boy with INH-related FHF underwent APOLT after left hepatectomy on the NL. Neurological status and liver function rapidly improved, but, on postoperative day 22, urgent re-transplantation was needed for graft–hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and the NLs incapacity to sustain adequate liver function. Histological examination of the NL showed signs evident of its regeneration, however. In conclusion, though we faced the clinical failure of the NL functionally to sustain the patient in the presence of the graft HAT 3, weeks after APOLT, such a failure may be interpreted as time related. In fact, the histological picture in this particular case may suggest the potential for NL recovery after INH-related FHF.