The preliminary experience of interventional therapy for hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation

Objective: To summarize the preliminary experience of interventional therapy for hepatic arterial stenosis (HAS) and thrombosis (HAT) after liver transplantation. Methods: Four patients with HAS or HAT after liver transplantation were treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), transarterial thrombolysis and stent-graft placement. Results: One patient with HAS was successfully treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty without any complications. Immediate blood flow of hepatic artery was restored in all of 3 patients with post-transplantation HAT treated by transarterial thrombolysis. Hepatic arterial anastomosis hemorrhage was detected in 1 patient 3 days after transarterial thrombolysis and stent-graft was deployed. Two weeks later, her hepatic artery occluded again and secondary liver transplantation was performed. Conclusions: Interventional therapy is an effective modality for hepatic arterial stenosis and thrombosis after liver transplantation but they must be performed cautiously to avoid hemorrhagic complications. (authors)