Ductular cholestasis, an unusual form of intrahepatic cholestasis, associated with cardiogenic shock and ventricular assist device.
Ventricular assist devices have been shown to be effective in advanced heart failure selected patients. They often have borderline end-organ function, what facilitates organ dysfunction. Liver failure is difficult to manage and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. We report a case of ductular cholestasis, an unusual cholestatic hepatic failure with untractable coagulopathy, developed during the use of a magnetic levitation centrifugal pump, implanted as a bridge to heart transplantation, in a patient with cardiogenic shock (as an end-stage disease of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy). We discussed the pathophysiology of this entity and the possible related factors, including the assist device. Preemptive interventions have been advocated as the primary way of treatment. Preoperative optimization of heart function and avoidance of visceral hypoperfusion and sepsis may play a major role.
Mohedano-Gómez
Alberto
A
Cardiovascular Intensive and Postoperative Care Unit (Intensive Care Unit), University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. albertomohedanomd@yahoo.es
Pérez-Vela
José L
JL
Renes-Carreño
Emilio
E
De-Andrés
Carolina Ibarrola
CI
Corres-Peiretti
María A
MA
Arribas-López
Primitivo
P
Gutierrez-Rodriguez
Julián
J
Perales-Rodríguez-De-Viguri
Narciso
N
D000328:Adult; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*