Utilizing the Left Gastric Varix As the Preferred Conduit for Severe Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Thromboelastography (TEG) has emerged as a tool to guide resuscitation in Liver Transplantation (LT). We aim to identify effects of TEG utilization on product use and blood loss in LT.METHODS: Adult patients (age >18-years-old) who received LT between 2014 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Living donor, simultaneous/multi-organ transplants, re-transplants, and pediatric transplants were excluded. Impact of TEG on blood products and intraoperative blood loss was analyzed. A subgroup analysis was done based on INR. The median, 75th and 90th percentile of INR at transplant were used as cut-off values. Patients were classified into four categories: no, mild, moderate, and severe coagulopathy groups.