TY - JOUR
T1 - Liver transplantation for pulmonary vascular complications of pediatric end-stage liver disease
AU - Iqbal, Corey W.
AU - Krowka, Michael J.
AU - Pham, Tuan H.
AU - Freese, Deborah K.
AU - El Youssef, Mounif
AU - Ishitani, Michael B.
PY - 2008/10
Y1 - 2008/10
N2 - Purpose: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and portopulmonary hypertension (PPH) are poorly understood pulmonary complications of end-stage liver disease (ESLD). We present a case series of children with HPS and PPH. Methods: After institutional review board approval, query of our medical database identified children 0 to 18 years of age with ESLD diagnosed with HPS or PPH. Data were collected via chart review. Results: We identified 7 children with either HPS (n = 5) or PPH (n = 2). Patients with HPS presented with progressive dyspnea over a mean of 7 months (range, 4-12 months) at a mean of 13 years (range, 5-17 years) of age. Pulmonary shunting by albumin perfusion scan averaged 41% (range, 20%-66%) with an initial mean resting Spo2 of 88% (range, 84%-94%) and mean Spo2 during exertion of 79% (range, 60%-89%). Four patients required supplemental O2 and, upon United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) appeal, received pediatric model for ESLD (or Child-Pugh) score exceptions, enabling them to undergo orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) within 1-2 months. The fifth patient was initially rejected by the UNOS regional review board, but 6 months of worsening hypoxemia led to OLT 2 months after successful UNOS appeal. All patients with HPS undergoing OLT experienced complete resolution of hypoxemia within 8 months. Both children with PPH were treated with intravenous epoprostenol, which lowered or stabilized mean pulmonary artery pressure and bridged them to OLT within 7 months of listing. Overall, there were no pulmonary complications; however, 1 patient with PPH expired shortly after OLT. The remaining patients are alive at a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 6-96 months). Conclusion: Hepatopulmonary syndrome and PPH are uncommon complications of ESLD in children. Epoprostenol can bridge PPH patients to OLT. OLT leads to rapid resolution of HPS and PPH and currently represents the only successful treatment for these children.
AB - Purpose: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and portopulmonary hypertension (PPH) are poorly understood pulmonary complications of end-stage liver disease (ESLD). We present a case series of children with HPS and PPH. Methods: After institutional review board approval, query of our medical database identified children 0 to 18 years of age with ESLD diagnosed with HPS or PPH. Data were collected via chart review. Results: We identified 7 children with either HPS (n = 5) or PPH (n = 2). Patients with HPS presented with progressive dyspnea over a mean of 7 months (range, 4-12 months) at a mean of 13 years (range, 5-17 years) of age. Pulmonary shunting by albumin perfusion scan averaged 41% (range, 20%-66%) with an initial mean resting Spo2 of 88% (range, 84%-94%) and mean Spo2 during exertion of 79% (range, 60%-89%). Four patients required supplemental O2 and, upon United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) appeal, received pediatric model for ESLD (or Child-Pugh) score exceptions, enabling them to undergo orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) within 1-2 months. The fifth patient was initially rejected by the UNOS regional review board, but 6 months of worsening hypoxemia led to OLT 2 months after successful UNOS appeal. All patients with HPS undergoing OLT experienced complete resolution of hypoxemia within 8 months. Both children with PPH were treated with intravenous epoprostenol, which lowered or stabilized mean pulmonary artery pressure and bridged them to OLT within 7 months of listing. Overall, there were no pulmonary complications; however, 1 patient with PPH expired shortly after OLT. The remaining patients are alive at a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 6-96 months). Conclusion: Hepatopulmonary syndrome and PPH are uncommon complications of ESLD in children. Epoprostenol can bridge PPH patients to OLT. OLT leads to rapid resolution of HPS and PPH and currently represents the only successful treatment for these children.
KW - End-stage liver disease
KW - Hepatopulmonary syndrome
KW - Liver transplant
KW - Portal hypertension
KW - Portopulmonary hypertension
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2008.04.002
DO - 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2008.04.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 18926213
AN - SCOPUS:52949106534
SN - 0022-3468
VL - 43
SP - 1813
EP - 1820
JO - Journal of pediatric surgery
JF - Journal of pediatric surgery
IS - 10
ER -