Arterial steal syndrom in patients after liver transplantation: transarterial embolization of the splenic and gastroduodenal arteries.

Purpose: To evaluate transarterial embolization of splenohepatic and gastroduodenal steal syndrome in patients with impaired liver function tests after liver transplantation. Methods and Material: In a prospective study 22 patients (10 male, 12 female; mean age 49.5 years) with unexplained elevation of hepatic enzymes after liver transplantation underwent transcatheter arterial embolization of splenohepatic (n=18) and gastroduodenal (n=4) steal drome with use of Gianturco coils or microcoils. Liver and spleen parenchyma were surveyed and evaluated before and after embolization with plain helical CT, including volumetry of liver and spleen. Results: DSA examinations revealed a dilated splenic artery (n=18) or gastroduodenal artery (n=4) combined with a slightly decreased perfusion of the hepatic arteries, while immediately after successful embolization a normal perfusion of the hepatic arteries could be noted. Volumetric measurements before and after embolization showed no significant changes in liver parenchyma (x = + 7% +/- 2), and variable changes in splenic volume of -5% to + 28% (mean, + 11%), with initial measurements. Clinical follow-up examinations revealed a normalization of the previously elevated hepatic enzymes and a normalization of liver function tests after successful embolization. Complications were observed in 4 patients (infarction of the spleen). Conclusions: The preliminary results reveal that in liver transplant candidates with splenohepatic and gastroduodenal steal syndrome successful embolization results in an improvement of organ perfusion with normalization of function tests.