Living donor liver transplantation with noninvasive ventilation for exertional heat stroke and severe rhabdomyolysis

Abstract

A 16-year-old male with exertional heat stroke (EHS) had extensive hepatocellular damage, severe rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, and coma. Hemodiafiltration was started on day 2 and living donor liver transplantation was performed on day 3. He received continuous mechanical ventilation with intubation before and after the surgery. As his mental status improved, he could not tolerate intubation, and he was extubated on postoperative day (POD) 26. He received facial noninvasive positive pressure ventilation until POD 50. Hemodiafiltration was discontinued on POD 52. He was discharged on POD 67 and is currently well more than a year after transplantation. A literature search indicates that this patient is the first long-term survivor (>1 year) after liver transplantation for exertional heat stroke. Copyright © 2005 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.