Abstract:

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of the stent implantation in treatment of portal vein stenosis or thrombosis after liver transplantation.

Methods

From November 2004 to August 2012，31 patients with portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation were referred for angiographic analysis and stent placement treatment successfully.After percutaneous transheptic balloon angioplasty，stents were deployed.Thrombolytic therapy for patients with portal vein thrombosis.Embolization was performed in patients with varices or portal vein flow changes.The therapeutic results were monitored by the follow-up on clinical symptoms and imaging examinationsin in order to know about the stent and complications.

Results

Thirty-nine stents were deployed subsequently.Four patients were given thrombolytic therapy，and 5 patients were given collateral embolization included.All the portal vein recanalized and the symptoms were relieved.Besides，2 patients with portal vein stenosis and cavernous transformation were given stent placement successfully.Portal vein patency was all maintained in 29 patients for 6-99 months.The cumulative patency rate was 100%.In the follow-up study，the splenic vein thrombosis raised again in one case of portal vein thrombosis（PVT）after 17 months therapy.The short-time severe complication related to interventional therapy was thoracic cavity hemorrhage in 1 cases（1/31，3.23%）；and the long-term complication was the blood flown down in the other branch of portal vein in 1 cases（1/31，3.23%）.

Conclusions

Interventional therapy is an effective method for the treatment of portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation and has low stent restenosis rate.For the patient with PVT，it still has the risk of thrombosis again in the long-term study.And we should be vigilant for possible complications.

Key words: Liver transplantation, Portal vein stenosis, PTA, Embolization，therapeutic