Intravascular Thrombolysis Followed by Stenting as Management of Retrohepatic Inferior Vena Caval Thrombosis due to a Twist in the Inferior Vena Cava after Deceased Donor Liver Transplant

Abstract

Inferior vena cava (IVC) occlusion due to acute thrombosis is a rare but important vascular complication after deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) that has been reported to occur up to 2% of recipients in a posttransplant period. This may be caused by direct instrumentation of the IVC stenosis at the anastomotic site, haematoma, and rarely by a twist in the retrohepatic IVC. The location of the thrombus, the timing after the surgery, and associated hemodynamic disturbances define the outcome of the patient. Without prompt diagnosis and timely intervention, the outcome after IVC thrombosis is usually dismal. Herein, we report a rare case of near-complete occlusion of the IVC secondary to intracaval thrombosis after DDLT associated with twisting of the IVC at the suprahepatic anastomosis which was successfully managed by intravascular thrombolysis and stenting.