Prostaglandin E1 for the treatment of primary non-function of the donor organ in liver transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To present a case in which acute failure of a liver graft was treated with an infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1).


METHODS
A nine-year-old girl underwent liver transplantation for Wilson's disease. Her course was complicated by primary non-function of the graft as evidenced by poor bile production, rising bilirubin and liver enzyme levels and a severe coagulopathy.


RESULTS
PGE1 was infused and there was recovery of graft function. The need for urgent re-transplantation was avoided.


CONCLUSIONS
PGE1 may have an important role in liver transplantation considering the logistic difficulties of obtaining donor livers for urgent transplantation in Australia.
Mollison
L C
LC
Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, VIC.
Angus
P W
PW
Jones
R M
RM
D000527:Alprostadil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006789:Host vs Graft Reaction / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation
D000527:Alprostadil