Vascular complications following liver transplantation: A literature review of advances in 2015

Table 5 Hepatic artery rupture highlights

Summary of the clinical characteristics about HAR
HAT is defined as a severe hemorrhage from the trunk or from a main branch of the HA, resulting in disruption of graft arterial blood supply
This is a very rare (incidence of 0.64%) but a dramatic complication following OLT with a high mortality rate
In most cases, HAR complicates a pseudoaneurysm of the HA
The median time of HAR is 29 d (range: 2-92 d) following OLT
The clinical presentation is always a sudden hemorrhage: Hemoperitoneum, gastrointestinal bleeding, hematoma and hemobilia
Treatment comprises urgent laparotomy with definitive ligation of the HA, anastomotic revision and aortohepatic grafting or interventional radiology with percutaneous embolization

HA: Hepatic artery; HAT: Hepatic artery thrombosis; OLT: Orthotopic liver transplantation; HAR: Hepatic artery rupture.