Treatment of inferior vena cava anastomotic stenoses with the Wallstent endoprosthesis after orthotopic liver transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of the Wallstent endoprosthesis for treatment of stenotic or occlusive inferior vena cava (IVC) lesions refractory to balloon angioplasty in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation.


METHODS
Wallstent endoprostheses were implanted in six patients with IVC anastomotic stenoses or occlusions that were refractory to balloon angioplasty. Follow-up included both duplex ultrasound (US) and clinical evaluations.


RESULTS
Ten stents were successfully implanted in six patients. Five of six patients (83%) demonstrated primary patency on duplex US for a mean period of 11 months (range, 4-17 months). One patient's symptoms recurred within 3 weeks after intervention. This patient underwent repeated stent placement. Follow-up duplex US in this patient demonstrated primary assisted patency at 7 months. Mean clinical follow-up was 12 months (range, 7-18 months). Other than the previously described case, no patient developed recurrent symptoms of IVC stenosis or occlusion. Two patients who experienced hemorrhagic complications secondary to anticoagulation were treated successfully.


CONCLUSIONS
The Wallstent endoprosthesis is a useful adjunct for treatment of IVC stenosis or occlusions in patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation when these lesions are refractory to simple balloon angioplasty.
Borsa
J J
JJ
Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle 98195, USA.
Daly
C P
CP
Fontaine
A B
AB
Patel
N H
NH
Althaus
S J
SJ
Hoffer
E K
EK
Winter
T C
TC
Nghiem
H V
HV
McVicar
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
D000925:Anticoagulants