Preoperative arterial embolization facilitates multivisceral transplantation for portomesenteric thrombosis

Multivisceral transplantation (MvTx) for diffuse venous portomesenteric thrombosis is a surgically and anesthesiologically challenging procedure, partly because of the risk of massive bleeding during visceral exenteration. Preoperative visceral artery embolization might reduce this risk. In three consecutive MvTx, the celiac trunk (CT) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were embolized immediately pretransplant. We analyzed demographics, serum D-lactate, pH, base excess, hemoglobin, blood pressure, transfused packed cell (PC) units, intervention time and outcome. Results are reported as median (range). All recipients were male (43, 22, 47 years old). Portomesenteric thrombosis followed antiphospholipid syndrome, neuroendocrine tumor and liver cirrhosis. A peritransplant D-lactate peak of 6.1 (5.1-7.6) mmol/L, lowest pH of 7.24 (7.18-7.36) and lowest base excess level of -9.5 (-7.6 to -11.5) were observed. Values normalized within 3 h posttransplant. Embolization and exenteration times were 80 (70-90) min and 140 (130-165) min, respectively, during which blood pressure remained stable, lowest hemoglobin was 6.1 (6.1-7.6) g/dL and three (2-4) PC were administered. All procedures were uneventful. Follow-up was 7 (4-9) months. The first patient died 4 months post-MvTx after an intracranial bleeding; the other patients are doing well. Our experience suggests that preoperative embolization of CT and SMA facilitates native organ resection in MvTx.