Treatment of vascular complications following orthotopic liver transplantation. The experience of a regional cente

Abstract

Objective: vascular complications (VCs) following liver transplantation (LT) can pose a significant threat to the recipient’s life – as the risk of graft loss increases significantly when blood flow in the graft is impaired. Diagnosis and early treatment of VCs seems to be a pressing issue in transplantology. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence, treatment and outcome of VCs in patients after orthotopic LT at the Center for Surgery and Donor Coordination, Rostov Regional Clinical Hospital.Materials and methods. Between July 2015 and April 2023, 100 orthotopic LTs were performed. VCs were retrospectively identified and analyzed.Results. The overall incidence of VCs was 24% (n = 24): hepatic artery stenosis, 5% (n = 5); intra-abdominal bleeding, 6% (n = 6); hepatic artery dissection, 2% (n = 2); intrahepatic venous thrombosis Budd–Chiari syndrome), 2% (n = 2); portal vein thrombosis, 1% (n = 1); inferior vena cava thrombosis/iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis, 2% (n = 2); inferior vena cava stenosis, 1% (n = 1); hepatic vein stenosis, 1% (n = 1); recurrent hepatic artery stenosis/thrombosis, 2% (n = 2); mesenteric vein thrombosis, 2% (n = 2).Conclusion. Most VCs following orthotopic LT occur in the early postoperative period and can lead to a high risk of graft dysfunction and patient death. Early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of post-LT complications are critical to successful short- and long-term graft function and patient survival, even in patients with asymptomatic complications. Treatment options typically include surgical revascularization, percutaneous thrombolysis, percutaneous angioplasty, retransplantation, or, less commonly, a conservative approach.