Use of a mechanical thrombectomy device to treat early hepatic artery thrombosis after orthotopic liver transplant

Radiol Case Rep. 2017 Dec 28;13(2):522-526. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2017.12.007. eCollection 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation, occurring in 5% of cases (Piardi et al, 2016). HAT is the second main cause of graft loss after primary nonfunction, the leading cause of graft failure in the immediate postoperative period (<1 month), and is associated with a mortality rate of up to 60% without intervention (Piardi et al, 2016; Pareja et al., 2010; Crossin et al., 2003). Although retransplantation is the preferred therapy, the limited availability of donor organs can necessitate urgent, alternative treatment. These patients present physicians with an often-severe clinical picture, which requires consideration of endovascular approaches as opposed to the more traditional, invasive surgical interventions. The following case study presents a novel mechanical therapy that uses an endovascular approach for revascularization-a stent retriever device.

Keywords: Hepatic; Liver; Revascularization; Stent; Thrombosis; Transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports