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Hepatopulmonary syndrome: Use of extracorporeal life support for life‐threatening hypoxia following liver transplantation
Author(s) -
Fleming Geoffrey M.,
Cornell Timothy T.,
Welling Theodore H.,
Magee John C.,
Annich Gail M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.21477
Subject(s) - hepatopulmonary syndrome , medicine , liver transplantation , contraindication , extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , hypoxia (environmental) , extracorporeal , hypoxemia , complication , transplantation , surgery , intensive care medicine , pathology , chemistry , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , oxygen
Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an uncommon complication of nonacute liver failure, and in rare cases, hypoxia may be the presenting sign of liver dysfunction. The condition, once thought to be a contraindication, is improved in most cases by transplantation. There is a significant risk of postoperative, hypoxia‐related morbidity and mortality in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome. We present a case of life‐threatening hypoxia following liver transplantation for liver failure and associated hepatopulmonary syndrome, with successful management using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Liver Transpl 14:966–970, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.