Anesthesia for combined liver-thoracic transplantation

Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2020 Mar;34(1):101-108. doi: 10.1016/j.bpa.2020.01.001. Epub 2020 Jan 25.

Abstract

The combined transplantation of a thoracic organ and the liver is performed in patients with dual-organ failure in whom survival is not expected with single-organ transplantation alone. Although uncommonly performed, the number of combined liver-lung and liver-heart transplants is increasing. Anesthetic management of this complex procedure is challenging. Major blood loss, prolonged operation time, difficult weaning of cardiopulmonary bypass and coagulation disturbances are common. Despite the complexity of surgery, the outcome is comparable to single-organ transplant.

Keywords: Combined liver – heart transplant; Combined liver – lung transplant; Combined liver – thoracic organ transplant.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia / methods*
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Organ Transplantation / methods*
  • Thoracic Surgical Procedures / methods*