Hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 11, 2026
Reduced Complications after Arterial Reconnection in a Rat Model of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation
Published on: November 7, 2020
F Sánchez-Bueno1, R Robles, P Ramírez
1Department of General Surgery, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain.
Insights
Arterial complications after liver transplants are rare but serious. This study found a 6% complication rate, yet 75% of those patients died, highlighting the critical nature of these vascular events.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Transplant Surgery
Background:
- Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a life-saving procedure for end-stage liver disease.
- Vascular complications, particularly arterial issues, can significantly impact OLT outcomes.
- Understanding the incidence and impact of arterial complications is crucial for improving patient survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and types of arterial complications following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).
- To assess the outcomes and mortality associated with these arterial complications.
- To determine if donor arterial anomalies are associated with post-transplant complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 100 orthotopic liver transplants (OLT) in 87 consecutive patients.
- Detailed analysis of all documented arterial complications, including thrombosis, stenosis, and aneurysm rupture.
- Evaluation of donor liver arterial anatomy for pre-existing malformations.
- Calculation of 1-year actuarial survival rates.
Main Results:
- Six arterial complications occurred in 4 out of 87 patients (6.9% incidence).
- Complications included arterial thrombosis (4), arterial stenosis (1), and ruptured mycotic aortic aneurysm (1).
- No arterial complications were linked to the 29 identified donor arterial malformations.
- Mortality rate among patients with arterial complications was high (75%), with 3 out of 4 patients dying.
Conclusions:
- Arterial complications following OLT are infrequent but associated with a high mortality rate.
- Donor arterial anomalies did not correlate with the occurrence of post-transplant arterial complications in this series.
- Vigilance and prompt management of arterial complications are essential for improving OLT outcomes.
Abstract:
We present the arterial complications arising from 100 orthotopic liver transplants (OLT) carried out in 87 consecutive patients. Mean patient age was 42.5 +/- 12.8 years (7-63). There was a predominance of male patients (67%). The most common indications were hepatic cirrhosis (53%) and severe acute hepatitis insufficiency (14%). The donor liver presented 29 arterial malformations, mainly a left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery, either as a single or associated anomaly. Only six arterial complications appeared in 4 of the 87 patients. Of these six, four corresponded to arterial thrombosis, and the remaining two to arterial stenosis and a ruptured mycotic aortic aneurysm. Two of the 4 patients had a double arterial complication (one had arterial thrombosis in 2 of the 3 grafts, and the other presented arterial thrombosis and aortic rupture). No arterial complications were related to arterial anomalies in the donor liver. Three of the 4 patients died from the complication. The 1-year actuarial survival rate in our series is 77.5%. In conclusion, arterial complications are infrequent in our series (6%) but do carry a high mortality rate (75%).
