Resolution of Hepatic Artery Thrombosis in 2 Pediatric Liver Transplant Patients

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016 Apr;62(4):546-9. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001016.

Abstract

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is a serious complication after liver transplantation. This is the first report of spontaneous resolution of HAT in pediatric liver transplant patients on low molecular weight heparin therapy. A total of 2 patients, a 26-month-old boy who presented with acute liver failure and required emergent liver transplantation and a 15-year-old boy with ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hepatitis-primary sclerosing cholangitis overlap underwent liver transplantation for progressive cirrhosis; both developed HAT during the postoperative period. They were both treated with low molecular weight heparin. Follow-up imaging for both patients showed resolution of HAT without evidence of collateral flow.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use
  • Hepatic Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Hepatic Artery / drug effects
  • Hepatic Artery / physiopathology*
  • Hepatic Artery / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / surgery
  • Liver Failure, Acute / surgery
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombosis / etiology
  • Thrombosis / physiopathology*
  • Thrombosis / prevention & control
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight