Obstruction of the inferior vena cava following bicaval orthotopic heart transplantation: a case series.
Bicaval technique
Case series
Heart transplantation
Obstruction
Transoesophageal echocardiography
inferior vena cava
Journal
European heart journal. Case reports
ISSN: 2514-2119
Titre abrégé: Eur Heart J Case Rep
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101730741
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Feb 2021
Feb 2021
Historique:
received:
03
10
2020
revised:
27
10
2020
accepted:
27
01
2021
entrez:
19
3
2021
pubmed:
20
3
2021
medline:
20
3
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction is a rare complication of orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) and is unique to bicaval surgical technique. The clinical significance, diagnosis, complications, and management of post-operative IVC anastomotic obstruction have not been adequately described. Two patients with end-stage heart failure presented for bicaval OHT. Post-operative course was complicated with shock refractory to fluid resuscitation and inotropic/vasopressor support. Obstruction at the IVC-right atrial (RA) anastomosis was diagnosed on transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), prompting emergent reoperation. In both cases, a large donor Eustachian valve was found to be restricting flow across the IVC-RA anastomosis. Resection of the valve resulted in relief of obstruction across the anastomosis and subsequent improvement in haemodynamics and clinical outcome. Presumably rare, we present two cases of IVC obstruction post-bicaval OHT. Inferior vena cava obstruction is an under-recognized cause of refractory hypotension and shock in the post-operative setting. Prompt recognition using TOE is crucial for immediate surgical correction and prevention of multi-organ failure. Obstruction can be caused by a thickened Eustachian valve caught in the suture line at the IVC anastomosis, which would require surgical resection.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction is a rare complication of orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) and is unique to bicaval surgical technique. The clinical significance, diagnosis, complications, and management of post-operative IVC anastomotic obstruction have not been adequately described.
CASE SUMMARY
METHODS
Two patients with end-stage heart failure presented for bicaval OHT. Post-operative course was complicated with shock refractory to fluid resuscitation and inotropic/vasopressor support. Obstruction at the IVC-right atrial (RA) anastomosis was diagnosed on transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), prompting emergent reoperation. In both cases, a large donor Eustachian valve was found to be restricting flow across the IVC-RA anastomosis. Resection of the valve resulted in relief of obstruction across the anastomosis and subsequent improvement in haemodynamics and clinical outcome.
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
Presumably rare, we present two cases of IVC obstruction post-bicaval OHT. Inferior vena cava obstruction is an under-recognized cause of refractory hypotension and shock in the post-operative setting. Prompt recognition using TOE is crucial for immediate surgical correction and prevention of multi-organ failure. Obstruction can be caused by a thickened Eustachian valve caught in the suture line at the IVC anastomosis, which would require surgical resection.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33738420
doi: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytab046
pii: ytab046
pmc: PMC7954254
doi:
Types de publication
Case Reports
Langues
eng
Pagination
ytab046Informations de copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.
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