Hepatic artery thrombosis resulting in gas gangrene of the transplanted liver

Abraham Shaked, Sue V. McDiarmid, Rick E. Harrison, Hugh A. Gelebert, John O. Colonna, Ronald W. Busuttil

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Early hepatic artery thrombosis after orthotopic liver transplantation results in massive injury to hepatocytes and the bile duct epithelium. In the fulminate form, impaired liver synthetic function is expressed by encephalopathy and coagulopathy. Ischemic bile duct injury is associated with the disruption of the biliary anastomosis, bile duct strictures, and intrahepatic bilomas. The inability of the liver macrophages to clear translocated portal blood intestinal pathogens results in persistent bacteremia and sepsis. The major radiologic finding is the radiographic evidence of gas gangrene of the liver graft. Early recognition and correct interpretation of the radiologic findings, immediate removal of the liver graft, and placement of the patient on venous-venous bypass or total hepatic devascularization while a new liver is being procured and retransplantation are the only hope for survival.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)462-465
Number of pages4
JournalSurgery
Volume111
Issue number4
StatePublished - Apr 1992

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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