The occurrence of late hepatic artery thrombosis after orthotopic liver transplantation can result in gas gangrene of the graft. This clinical scenario has the potential to be rapidly fatal as a result of fulminant hepatic failure, sepsis and multiple-organ-failure syndrome. Emergency operative intervention is indicated to remove the septic source and replace the failed liver. In this report, both cases demonstrated rapid deterioration within 24 h from the onset of symptoms, in spite of maximum supportive care. Intra-operative handling of the gangrenous graft resulted in hemodynamic instability and a technically unfeasible hepatectomy. The use of extra-corporeal veno-atrial bypass, by isolating the septic source, allowed for graft hepatectomy and successful re-transplantation in the second of these reported cases.