Review article: liver transplantation for the pulmonary disorders of portal hypertension

Background Liver transplantation is potentially a life-saving therapeutic intervention for patients with portopulmonary hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome. However, due to limited data, listing criteria for patients with these conditions have not been clearly established. Indeed, this has led some to speculate that transplantation may not be appropriate in cases of moderate-to-severe portopulmonary hypertension and severe hepatopulmonary syndrome. Aim To critically discuss the utility of LT for the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. Methods A literature search was conducted in 2012 on PubMed, Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline and Scopus using the following search terms: hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, liver transplantation. Relevant manuscripts were included in the review. Results Liver transplantation has established itself as an effective treatment for selected patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. A multidisciplinary team approach incorporating focused strategies (both pre- and post-operatively) aimed at improving oxygenation in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome has led to a dramatic improvement in patient outcomes. Additionally, careful patient selection and the use of targeted pulmonary vascular therapies are successfully being used to treat portopulmonary hypertension and bridge patients to successful liver transplantation. Conclusions Liver transplantation is an effective therapy for patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. However, rigorous screening and early identification of these conditions allied with aggressive pre-operative optimisation of physiology and diligent post-operative care are imperative to ensuring a good outcome.