Studies from University of Washington reveal new findings on thrombosis
2009 AUG 3 - (NewsRx.com) -- "The incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after liver transplantation (LTx) is up to 9% in adult recipients. To minimize HAT, we developed an algorithm that we have routinely applied since 2001," scientists in the United States report. "The algorithm is a cascade of potentially necessary procedures to improve hepatic artery blood flow before proceeding with LTx when arterial blood flow is impaired. Incidence, outcome, and possible therapeutic approaches of HAT were analyzed in prospectively non-controlled collected data during a 5-year period. There were 335 LTx in 299 adults (199 male, 100 female) with a median age of 49.7 years. HAT was defined as early and late HAT (diagnosis within or after 30 days following LTx). After a mean follow-up of 17 months, nine HAT were documented (2.7%; five early and four late HAT). Treatment consisted of thrombolysis (n=1), surgical thrombectomy (n=4), and re-transplantation (n=4). Five HAT patients died during follow-up. Complex arterial reconstruction was associated with HAT compared to branch-patch anastomoses (P=0.0193). Median arterial intraoperative blood flow was no risk factor for HAT. One-year patient survival after HAT was 31%. Once HAT occurs, complication rates are high and long-term results are devastating," wrote J.D. Perkins and colleagues, University of Washington. The researchers concluded: "Therefore, we have implemented the presented algorithm, which showed an acceptable HAT rate.." Perkins and colleagues published their study in Liver Transplantation (Institution of a Standard Procedure To Prevent Hepatic Artery Thrombosis. Liver Transplantation, 2009;15(6):659-661). For more information, contact J.D. Perkins, University of Washington, Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Publisher contact information for the journal Liver Transplantation is: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA. Keywords: United States, Seattle, Angiology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedicine, Hepatic Artery, Liver Transplant, Organ Transplant, Therapy, Thrombosis, Transplantation, Treatment, University of Washington. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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