Infectious aortitis in a liver transplant recipient

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Transplantation Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Infectious aortitis leading to abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is a rare but life-threatening complication post-solid organ transplantation.
• Surgical intervention is critical to prevent sepsis, hemorrhage, and mortality.
• Arterial allografts represent a long-standing surgical option, though techniques have evolved.

Observation:

• A liver transplant recipient developed an infrarenal aortic aneurysm.
• The aneurysm was secondary to Salmonella bacteraemia, a rare cause of infectious aortitis.
• This presentation highlights a unique post-transplant complication.

Findings:

• The patient's Salmonella-induced aortic aneurysm was successfully treated.
• Aortic allograft transplantation was the chosen surgical modality.
• This represents the first documented case of its kind in a liver transplant recipient.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering infectious aortitis in transplant recipients with AAA.
• Successful aortic allograft transplantation offers a viable treatment option for these complex cases.
• Further research into managing infectious aortitis complications in transplant patients is warranted.