Successful recanalization of late portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation using systemic low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an infrequent complication following hepatic transplantation. However, deterioration of liver function and accompanying complications may be life threatening. Several attempts of surgical or percutaneous transhepatic procedures have been described. In some cases high dose fibrinolytic regimens have been successful. We describe the case of a male liver recipient with recurrent liver fibrosis due to hepatitis B reinfection and late portal vein thrombosis 45 months after transplantation. Complete recanalization was achieved using systemic low dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).