Resumen

Introduction: Splanchnic hypoperfusion appears to play a key role in the failure of functional recovery of the graft after orthotopic liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to determine if alterations of tonometric parameters, which are related to splanchnic perfusion, could predict poor graft function in patients undergoing LT. Materials and methods: After Ethics Committee approval, 68 patients undergoing LT were enrolled. In all the patients, regional-arterial CO₂ gradient (Pr-aCO₂) was recorded; in addition, the difference between Pr-aCO₂ recorded at anhepatic phase (T1) and at the end of surgery (T2) (T2- T1 = ΔPr-aCO₂) was calculated. Poor graft function was determined on the basis of Toronto’s classification 72 hours after LT. Student t-test and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical purpose. Results: ΔPr-aCO₂ was significantly greater in patients with poor graft function (3.5 ± 13.2) compared to patients with good graft function (-5.8 ± 12.3) (p = 0.014). The logistic regression analysis showed that the ΔPr-aCO₂ was able to predict the onset of poor graft function (p = 0.037). A value of ΔPr-aCO₂ ≥ -4 was associated with poor graft function with a sensibility of 93.3% and a specificity of 42.3%. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the change of Pr-aCO₂ may be a valuable index of graft dysfunction. Gastric tonometry might give early prognostic information on the graft outcome, and it may aid clinicians in planning a more strict follow-up and proper interventions in order to improve graft survival.

Palabras clave: Splanchnic perfusion. Graft outcome. Regional-arterial CO₂ gradient.

2014-03-01   |   231 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 13 Núm.1. Enero-Febrero 2014 Pags. 54-59 Ann Hepatol 2014; 13(1)