Factor V Leiden mutation is a risk factor for hepatic artery thrombosis in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation is the most common genetic defect that predisposes to thrombosis. The reconstruction of hepatic artery with arterial graft is a documented risk factor for HAT. However, the relationship among FVL mutation, arterial graft, and HAT remains to be determined.

METHODS

We randomly genotyped 485 patients who underwent OLT from April 2002 to January 2011 and studied the incidence of Hepatic artery thrombosis in the presence of FVL mutation.

RESULTS

Of 485 patients, 21 patients (4.3%) developed HAT (13 male, 8 female); 10 patients (4 male, 6 female) were heterozygous for the FVL mutation. The incidences of HAT in patients without versus with the FVL mutation were 3.8% and 30% (P = .007). Of patients with HAT, 8 hepatic arteries were reconstructed with infrarenal aortic conduits. All 3 patients (100%) with vs 5 (28%) without FVL who received arterial grafts developed HAT (P = .042).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that the FVL mutation may be a risk factor for HAT in liver transplantation; the risk is augmented in the presence of an arterial graft.