Outcome and hepatic hemodynamics in liver transplant patients with portal vein arterialization

Few cases of successful portal vein arterialization in orthotopic and auxiliary liver transplantation have been reported.

To evaluate the effect of portal vein arterialization on hepatic hemodynamics and long-term clinical outcome in three patients undergoing liver transplantation.

Two patients with extensive splanchnic venous thrombosis received an orthotopic liver transplant and one with fulminant hepatic failure received an auxiliary heterotopic graft. Portal vein arterialization was performed in all cases.

One patient died 4 months after transplant and two are still alive. Auxiliary liver graft was removed 3 months post-transplant when complete native liver regeneration was achieved. Immediate post-transplant liver function was excellent in all cases. Only one patient developed encephalopathy and variceal bleeding owing to prehepatic portal hypertension secondary to arterioportal fistula 14 months after transplant. He was successfully treated by embolization of the hepatic artery. Hepatic hemodynamic measurements demonstrated a normal pressure gradient between wedged and free hepatic venous pressures in all cases. Liver biopsy showed acceptable graft architecture in two cases and microsteatosis in one.

Liver transplantation with portal vein arterialization is an acceptable salvage alternative when insufficient portal venous flow to the graft is present. The double arterial supply does not imply changes in hepatic hemodynamics, at least in the early months post-transplant.