Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia occurring early after living donor liver transplantation:a case report

Background:Thrombocytopenia commonly occurs early after liver transplantation.Heparin,usually administered as anticoagulant ther-apy for thrombosis,a common complication after liver transplantation,may cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a rare but life-threatening complication,and its diagnosis after liver transplantation is challenging.Case presentation:We report a case of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia after living donor liver transplantation with a good out-come because of early diagnosis and discontinuation of heparin.After liver transplantation,the platelet count usually reaches a nadir on postoperative days 3–5 and gradually recovers.In contrast,heparin-induced thrombocytopenia typically occurs 5–10 days after heparin administration;therefore,if heparin is started intraoperatively,then thrombocytopenia will occur on postoperative days 5–10.Conclusion:Monitoring the trend and timing of thrombocytopenia and detailed examination for thrombosis may help confirm the diag-nosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the early stage after liver transplantation.

Is there any correlation between Iiver graft regeneration and recipient's pretransplant skeletal muscle mass?-a study in extended Ieft Iobe graft Iiving-donor Iiver transplantation

Background:The end-stage liver disease causes a metabolic dysfunction whose most prominent clinical feature is the loss of skeletal muscle mass(SMM).In living-donor liver transplantation(LDLT),liver graft regeneration(GR)represents a crucial process to normalize the portal hypertension and to meet the metabolic demand of the recipient.Limited data are available on the correlation between pre-LDLT low SMM and GR.Methods:Retrospective study on a cohort of 106 LDLT patients receiving an extended left liver lobe graft.The skeletal muscle index(SMI)at L3 level was used for muscle mass measurement,and the recommended cut-off values of the Japanese Society of Hepatology guidelines were used as criteria for defining low muscularity.GR was evaluated as rate of volume increase at 1 month post-LT[graft regeneration rate(GRR)].Results:The median GRR at 1 month post-LT was 91%(IQR,65-128%)and a significant correlation with graft volume-to-recipient standard liver volume ratio(GV/SLV)(rho-0.467,P<0.001),graft-to-recipient weight ratio(GRWR)(rho-0.414,P<0.001),donor age(rho-0.306,P=0.001),1 month post-LT cholinesterase serum levels(rho 0.397,P=0.002)and pre-LT low muscularity[absent vs.present GRR 97.5%(73.1-130%)vs.83.5%(45.2-110.9%),P=0.041]was noted.Moreover in male recipients,but not in women,it was shown a direct correlation with pre-LT SMI(rho 0.352,P=0.020)and inverse correlation with 1 month post-LT SMI variation(rho-0.301,P=0.049).A low GRR was identified as an independent prognostic factor for recipient overall survival(HR 6.045,P<0.001).Conclusions:Additionally to the hemodynamic factors of portal circulation and the quality of the graft,the metabolic status of the recipients has a significant role in the GR process.A pre-LT low SMM is associated with impaired GRR and this negative impact is more evident in male recipients.