PERCUTANEOUS THROMBOLYSIS AND STENT PLACEMENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF PORTAL-VEIN THROMBOSIS AFTER LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION - LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP

Background. The durable use of percutaneous minimally invasive techniq ues for the treatment of portal venous thrombosis after liver transpla nt has not been widely described. This report illustrates two cases in which percutaneous thrombolysis, angioplasty, and endovascular stent placement were successfully used to treat portal vein thrombosis in pa tients with recent liver transplants. Methods. Liver dysfunction was i nitially manifested by the elevation of liver enzymes or the developme nt of marked ascites and confirmed in both cases by sonography and ang iography. The occluded portal vein was accessed by either a transjugul ar transhepatic puncture or direct transhepatic catheterization. Intra portal thrombolytic infusion, angioplasty, and stent placement were ac complished Without complication. Results. At the most recent follow-up , portal vein patency had been maintained for 2.5 and 4.5 years. Concl usions. These results demonstrate the technical feasibility and long-t erm patency of angioplasty and endovascular stent placement for the tr eatment of portal vein thrombosis in liver transplant recipients.