F Frongillo1, M C Lirosi2, E Nure1, R Inchingolo3, G Bianco1, N Silvestrini1, A W Avolio1, A M De Gaetano3, A Cina3, C Di Stasi3, G Sganga1, S Agnes1. 1. Department of Surgery, Transplantation Service, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Policlinico "A. Gemelli," Largo A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy. 2. Department of Surgery, Transplantation Service, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Policlinico "A. Gemelli," Largo A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: mcarmenlirosi@yahoo.it. 3. Department of Bio-Sciences and Radiological Imaging, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy, and Policlinico "A. Gemelli," Largo A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We assessed the usefulness of color Doppler imaging in diagnosis and monitoring hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation. METHODS: Subjects were 421 liver transplant recipients who underwent serial ultrasound (US) color Doppler evaluations of the hepatic arteries after surgery. RESULTS: We saw 4 hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation (13 thrombosis, 29 stenosis, 2 kinking, 2 pseudo-aneurysm, and 2 pseudo-aneurysm rupture). All subjects underwent US color Doppler examination periodically after surgery. In 6 cases of early thrombosis, hepatic arterial obstruction was diagnosed with absence of Doppler signals; in the other 7 cases (late hepatic artery thrombosis), thrombosis was suspected for the presence of intra-parenchymal "tardus-parvus" waveforms. In all of the cases, computed tomography angiography showed obstruction of the main arterial trunk and the development of compensatory collateral circles (late hepatic artery thrombosis). In 10 of the 29 cases of stenosis, Doppler ultrasonography examination revealed stenotic tract and intra-hepatic tardus-parvus waveforms; in 17 stenosis cases, the site of stenosis could not be identified, but intra-parenchymal tardus-parvus waveforms were recorded. In 2 patients, hepatic artery stenosis occurred with ischemic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of US color Doppler examination allows the early diagnosis of hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation. Tardus-parvus waveforms indicated severe impairment of hepatic arterial perfusion from either thrombosis or severe stenosis. The presence of these indirect signs enhanced the accuracy of color Doppler diagnosis, and detection should prompt therapy.
BACKGROUND: We assessed the usefulness of color Doppler imaging in diagnosis and monitoring hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation. METHODS: Subjects were 421 liver transplant recipients who underwent serial ultrasound (US) color Doppler evaluations of the hepatic arteries after surgery. RESULTS: We saw 4 hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation (13 thrombosis, 29 stenosis, 2 kinking, 2 pseudo-aneurysm, and 2 pseudo-aneurysm rupture). All subjects underwent US color Doppler examination periodically after surgery. In 6 cases of early thrombosis, hepatic arterial obstruction was diagnosed with absence of Doppler signals; in the other 7 cases (late hepatic artery thrombosis), thrombosis was suspected for the presence of intra-parenchymal "tardus-parvus" waveforms. In all of the cases, computed tomography angiography showed obstruction of the main arterial trunk and the development of compensatory collateral circles (late hepatic artery thrombosis). In 10 of the 29 cases of stenosis, Doppler ultrasonography examination revealed stenotic tract and intra-hepatic tardus-parvus waveforms; in 17 stenosis cases, the site of stenosis could not be identified, but intra-parenchymal tardus-parvus waveforms were recorded. In 2 patients, hepatic artery stenosis occurred with ischemic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of US color Doppler examination allows the early diagnosis of hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation. Tardus-parvus waveforms indicated severe impairment of hepatic arterial perfusion from either thrombosis or severe stenosis. The presence of these indirect signs enhanced the accuracy of color Doppler diagnosis, and detection should prompt therapy.
Authors: Eric J Siskind; Fauzia Vandermeer; Tamar R Siskind; David A Bruno; Samuel Sultan; Josue Alvarez-Casas; Arielle Stafford; Barton Lane; John C Lamattina; Rolf N Barth; Steven I Hanish Journal: Int J Angiol Date: 2017-03-01
Authors: Iris E M de Jong; Diletta Overi; Guido Carpino; Annette S H Gouw; Marius C van den Heuvel; Léon C van Kempen; Carmine Mancone; Paolo Onori; Vincenzo Cardinale; Luca Casadei; Domenico Alvaro; Robert J Porte; Eugenio Gaudio Journal: Hepatology Date: 2021-12-11 Impact factor: 17.298
Authors: David P St Michel; Naeem Goussous; Nathalie L Orr; Rolf N Barth; Stephen H Gray; John C LaMattina; David A Bruno Journal: Case Rep Transplant Date: 2019-12-27