Raghavaiah, Suresh

Background. Liver arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) can necessitate liver transplantation. There is limited data on HHT patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) in the United States. Methods. Two sources of data were used: (1) Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database (1998-2016) (2) Single center liver transplant database (Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN). The aims of this study were (1) to determine trends in LT for HHT-related liver involvement in the United States using the SRTR database; (2) to identify clinical characteristics, indications, and outcomes for LT in HHT. Results. Thirty-nine HHT patients were listed for LT in the SRTR database from 1998-2016 to 1998-2001 (n = 1); 2002-2005 (n = 4); 2006-2010 (n = 10), and 2011-2016 (n = 24). Twenty-four underwent LT at a median age of 47.5 years (interquartile range, 37.0-58.5 years). Median calculated MELD score at time of LT was 8.0 (interquartile range, 7.0-9.5), and 75% received an exception MELD score. Two status-1 patients died during transplant surgery. Nineteen (86%) patients were alive after a median post-LT follow-up of 48 months, whereas 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Five of the aforementioned HHT patients underwent LT at Mayo Clinic, 4 with high output cardiac failure, and 1 with biliary ischemia. All 5 were alive at the time of last follow-up with good graft function and resolution of heart failure. Conclusions. Outcomes after LT for HHT patients are excellent with 86% survival after a median follow-up of 48 months and resolution of heart failure. LT listing for HHT has increased in substantially in more recent eras.

AbstractRenal retransplantation after a failed prior kidney and pancreas transplant is being increasingly performed. In these complex cases, both iliac fossae have been used for prior transplants, and the placement of the new allograft can be problematic. We describe our experience with an alternative technique for renal retransplantation (RRTx) in the setting of severe bilateral aortoiliac atherosclerosis or scarring and fibrosis on the iliac vessels. Nephrectomy of the failed allograft is performed, and the renal vessels of the failed allograft (RVFA) are preserved. The new kidney is implanted on RVFA at the same operative time. This technique was attempted and successfully accomplished in a total of six patients (mean operative time = 240 ± 63 min). One postoperative complication occurred: poor arterial inflow to the allograft, being corrected reoperatively. Hospitalizations ranged from five to eight d. Five of the six patients were alive with a functioning allograft at last follow‐up (a single graft failure occurred 21 months postoperatively in the setting of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease that also led to patient death). Renal vessels of the failed allograft seem to be suitable alternative vascular conduits for renal retransplantation after prior kidney and pancreas transplants.