The impact of intrapulmonary shunting after liver transplantation in pediatric patients

Background/PurposeIntrapulmonary shunting (IPS) due to pulmonary vascular dilatation is frequently observed among patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). This study investigated the prevalence and impact of IPS after liver transplantation (LT) in children.MethodsA total of 77 pediatric patients who underwent primary LT were enrolled. All patients had trans-thoracic contrast echocardiography before LT and at least 1 year after transplantation. The patients with IPS and without IPS after LT were designated as group 1 and group 2, respectively.ResultsThe prevalence of IPS after LT was 6.1%. The patients in group 1 (n = 5) were younger (6.4 +/- 2.8 vs. 9.9 +/- 3.6, p = 0.036) than in group 2 (n = 72). There were no significant differences in gender, weight, hemoglobin level, O2 saturation, or complications between the two groups. Fourteen patients had abnormal liver function tests, two patients in group 1 and 12 patients in group 2 (p = 0.22).The overall follow-up period was 6.7 +/- 2.7 years (range, 1.6–13.0). At the latest follow-up, all 5 patients with mild IPS after LT remain asymptomatic with good liver graft function.ConclusionAmong pediatric ESLD patients with preoperative IPS, approximately 6% continue to have mild IPS after LT. Patients with mild IPS after LT remain asymptomatic and have good liver graft function.