Case: 238

Sympathetic Overdrive With Diffuse Profound Vasoconstriction

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History: 56 yo male s/p liver transplantation with new onset hepatic failure, sepsis, and hypotension requiring pressor support.
Solution: The main finding in this case is that there is diffuse severe vaosoconstriction of the arterial tree. There is associated narrowing of both the systemic and the visceral arterial vasculature and there were clinical symptoms of associated ischemia, including hepatic graft failure that was almost certainly related to the vasoconstriction. The cause was thought to be severe underlying infection resulting in sepsis, and hypotension (low flow state) resulting in diffuse vasoconstriction and exacerbated by the vasopressors.

Radiograph Images

Questions

Which of these is the least likely outcome of the CTA findings?
  • Mesenteric ischemia
  • Ischemia of the liver transplant
  • Renal ischemia and acute renal failure
  • Gangrene of the legs
This is likely to be related to the surgical hepatic arterial anastamosis.
False
What do you think is the primary causative etiology of the vascular findings?
Combination of sepsis and pressor support.