Final answer:
Hepatic artery thrombosis post-transplant is a condition where a blood clot forms in the hepatic artery after a liver transplant, potentially leading to severe complications or graft failure. The hepatic artery provides the liver with oxygenated blood, while the hepatic portal system transports blood from the digestive tract to the liver.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hepatic artery thrombosis post-transplant is a serious complication that can occur after a liver transplant. The hepatic artery is a critical vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the liver, essential for its function. In the context of transplantation, if a thrombosis, or blood clot, forms in the hepatic artery, it can obstruct blood flow, resulting in liver tissue damage or graft loss. The hepatic portal system plays a different role, carrying blood from the digestive organs to the liver for processing before it returns to the systemic circulation. Patients with cirrhosis often develop portal hypertension, which could lead to the formation of portosystemic shunts, where blood bypasses the liver altogether.
In the unfortunate event of a thrombosis post-transplant, immediate medical intervention is necessary to restore blood flow and reduce the risk of further complications such as hepatic and renal failure or even death, as can be seen in the clinical focus case where the patient, Barbara, did not recover despite the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and drotrecogin-a.