Hepatic artery thrombosis after adult living donor liver transplantation: the effect of center volume.

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether center volume impacts the rate hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and patient survival after adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT).

METHODS

Patients with HAT who were listed as Status 1 in the Organ Procurement Transplant Network database were included in the study. Recipients of ALDLT were compared to those who received a deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT).

RESULTS

Recipients of ALDLT had a higher rate of HAT than recipients of DDLT. Centers that performed less than four adult ALDLT had a higher rate of HAT than other higher volume centers. "Novice" centers had a worse graft and patient survival than those with more experience in ALDLT. Recipients who had HAT experienced a worse patient survival than those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Centers with higher volume have a lower rate of HAT and a better patient and graft survival in ALDLT. Clearer regulations and focus on overcoming the learning curve might be needed to increase the utilization of ALDLT.