Reduced size liver transplantation from a donor supported by a Berlin Heart.

Abstract

Patients on cardiac assist devices are often considered to be high-risk solid organ donors. We report the first case of a reduced size liver transplant performed using the left lateral segment of a pediatric donor whose cardiac function was supported by a Berlin Heart. The recipient was a 22-day-old boy with neonatal hemochromatosis who developed fulminant liver failure shortly after birth. The transplant was complicated by mild delayed graft function, which required delayed biliary reconstruction and abdominal wall closure, as well as a bile leak. However, the graft function improved quickly over the first week and the patient was discharged home with normal liver function 8 weeks after transplant. The presence of a cardiac assist device should not be considered an absolute contraindication for abdominal organ donation. Normal organ procurement procedures may require alteration due to the unusual technical obstacles that are encountered when the donor has a cardiac assist device.

• Authors: M V Misra, C J Smithers, L E Krawczuk, R L Jenkins, B C Linden, C B Weldon, H B Kim
• Journal: American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (Am J Transplant) Vol. 9 Issue 11 Pg. 2641-3 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 1600-6143 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19775315 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Child, Preschool
• Delayed Graft Function
• Female
• Heart-Assist Devices
• Hemochromatosis (complications)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Liver Failure, Acute (etiology, surgery)
• Liver Transplantation
• Male
• Organ Size
• Tissue Donors
• Tissue and Organ Procurement