High portal vein velocity after liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma is a risk factor for hepatic artery thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: To explore the relationship among portal vein velocity (PVV) on the first postoperative day after liver transplantation, the occurrence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), and 90-day mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: 84 patients' clinical records were retrospectively analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed. According to the optimal cutoff value, 84 patients were separated into the high PVV group and the normal PVV group. Fisher's exact test compared the occurrence of HAT and the 90-day mortality. The risk factors of HAT were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: HAT was documented in 8 patients (9.5%) of the high PVV group and no patient in the normal PVV group, P<0.001. During the 90 days after surgery, 6(7.1%) deaths occurred in the high PVV group, and 1(1.2%) death occurred in the normal PVV group, P =0.019. PVV ≥ 51.2 cm/s on the first postoperative day constitutes an independent risk factor for HAT. CONCLUSION: PVV ≥ 51.2 cm/s on the first postoperative day in HCC constitutes an independent risk factor for HAT, associated with high 90-day mortality.