Hepatic artery thrombosis after adult living donor liver transplantation: the effect of center volume

• Published in: Transplantation Vol. 84; no. 7; p. 926
• Main Authors: Salvalaggio, Paolo R, Modanlou, Kian A, Edwards, Erick B, Harper, Ann M, Abecassis, Michael M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.10.2007
• Subjects: Databases, Factual; Graft Survival; Hepatic Artery - pathology; Humans; Liver Transplantation - methods; Living Donors; Retrospective Studies; Thrombosis - immunology; Thrombosis - pathology; Time Factors; Tissue and Organ Harvesting; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0041-1337
• DOI: 10.1097/01.tp.0000281554.00247.92

To investigate whether center volume impacts the rate hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and patient survival after adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). Patients with HAT who were listed as Status 1 in the Organ Procurement Transplant Network database were included in the study. Recipients of ALDLT were compared to those who received a deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT). Recipients of ALDLT had a higher rate of HAT than recipients of DDLT. Centers that performed less than four adult ALDLT had a higher rate of HAT than other higher volume centers. "Novice" centers had a worse graft and patient survival than those with more experience in ALDLT. Recipients who had HAT experienced a worse patient survival than those who did not. Centers with higher volume have a lower rate of HAT and a better patient and graft survival in ALDLT. Clearer regulations and focus on overcoming the learning curve might be needed to increase the utilization of ALDLT.