Successful outcomes following living donor liver transplantation for portopulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with portal hypertension [portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN)] occurs in 2% to 10% of patients with advanced liver disease and carries a very poor prognosis without treatment. Most hepatic transplantation centers consider moderate to severe PPHTN to be a contraindication to liver transplantation because of the high rate of perioperative complications. We present 3 patients with PPHTN who were managed with intravenous prostacyclin therapy followed by living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). These individuals demonstrated subsequent resolution of their pulmonary hypertension and were weaned off all PAH-specific medical therapy. We present their demographics, clinical courses, and hemodynamics. We discuss the potential indications for LDLT and risks with respect to this patient population. Limitations of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scoring system and outcome data for this patient population are reviewed. Future studies should be directed toward better defining indications for LDLT in patients with PPHTN, improving medicosurgical management, and assessing long-term outcomes.
Bandara
Mahesh
M
Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME 04012, USA.
Gordon
Fredric D
FD
Sarwar
Akmal
A
Knauft
M Elizabeth
ME
Pomfret
Elizabeth A
EA
Freeman
Richard B
RB
Wirth
Joel A
JA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome