The Limited Role of Liver Transplantation in Porto-Pulmonary Hypertension Pathology
1Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 2Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, 3The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 4The Cleveland Clinic, Bratenahl, OH, 5Cleveland Clinic, Beachwood, OH
Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 1433
Keywords: Liver transplantation, Pulmonary hypertension
Topic: Clinical Science » Liver » 53 - Liver: Cirrhosis - Portal Hypertension and Other Complications
Session Information
Session Name: Liver: Cirrhosis - Portal Hypertension and Other Complications
Session Type: Poster Abstract
Date: Monday, June 6, 2022
Session Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Presentation Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Hynes Halls C & D
*Purpose: Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) refers to pulmonary artery hypertension (PH) as a consequence of portal hypertension with or without liver disease. Previous studies used pulmonary arterial-specific medication (PHM) to improve outcome after LT. However, detailed outcome after LT was not well known regarding pulmonary hemodynamics or medications. We summarized outcome of LT recipients with POPH in our center.
*Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted among LT recipients between 2002 and 2021, who fulfilled diagnostic criteria of right heart catheterization (RHC): mean pulmonary pressure (mPAP) of greater than 25 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of greater than 3 wood units. Data collection included cardiac echo, RHC, pharmacotherapy, and patient survival.
*Results: POPH was classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on mPAP of <35mm Hg, 35-49mm Hg, and 50mmHg, respectively. Eleven LT recipients with POPH were identified (4 mild, 4 moderate, 3 severe). The median chemical MELD score was 18, the median estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in echocardiography was 6251.85 mm Hg (22 - 63), the median mPAP was 41.7 mm Hg (32 - 53), and the median pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was 3.0 wood units (2.6 - 10.8). All the POPH recipients received PHMs before LT to optimize mPAP and PVR. One recipient died during LT because of acute heart failure. Survival rates were 72.7% after a median follow-up of 1475 days. After LT, the median RVSP was 39 mm Hg (27 - 106). And 4 recipients developed elevated mPAP (47 - 70 mm Hg) requiring increased PHMs, 6 recipients were stable on PHMs, and 1 recipient was weaned off PHM.
*Conclusions: Recipients with POPH had favorable survival as PHMs optimized mPAP and PVR. However, POPH was not reversed by LT alone in most cases. POPH in isolation, without other hepatic cirrhosis-related complications, should not be an indication for LT.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Doi J, Fujiki M, Chaudhry S, Diago T, Aucejo F, Kwon C, Eghtesad B, Miller C, Quintini C, Hashimoto K. The Limited Role of Liver Transplantation in Porto-Pulmonary Hypertension Pathology [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/the-limited-role-of-liver-transplantation-in-porto-pulmonary-hypertension-pathology/. Accessed December 3, 2024.« Back to 2022 American Transplant Congress