Orthotopic liver transplantation in a patient with acute liver failure resulting from aortic dissection

Transplant Proc. 2007 Dec;39(10):3536-7. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2007.08.107.

Abstract

We report a case of acute liver ischemia resulting in liver failure that occurred due to celiac trunk occlusion by an aortic dissection. A 53-year-old patient presented with clinical signs of acute abdomen. He underwent an urgent laparotomy, which revealed a splenic infarction and thrombosis of the celiac artery all the way to the porta hepatis. Imaging showed that an acute thoracoabdominal aortic dissection was present, resulting in compression of the celiac trunk. The aorta was repaired with an intervascular graft; however, an acute insufficiency of the liver ensued, and the patient was urgently transplanted. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of vascular compromise of the liver due to acute aortic dissection that would require liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / complications*
  • Aortic Dissection / complications*
  • Humans
  • Infarction
  • Liver Failure, Acute / etiology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spleen / blood supply
  • Splenectomy
  • Treatment Outcome