Vascular Complications after Liver Transplantation

Vascular complications after liver transplantation continue to be a major source of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) are the most common complications. HAT and PVT interrupt the allograft's blood supply and produce early graft loss, long-term dysfunction, or patient death, making these surgical complications life threatening. However, detailed pre-transplant evaluation of the liver transplant recipient, careful planning and execution of the operation, early diagnosis of the complications, and prompt intervention can significantly reduce the incidence and morbidity of vascular complications. This chapter discusses the pertinent points with focus and emphasis as practiced by the senior author.