Best blood sample draw site during liver transplantation.

Background: The present study sought to identify whether there were higher inflammatory cytokine levels in blood samples drawn from the pulmonary artery, radial artery, portal vein, or reperfused graft during each transplantation phase to determine the best site.

Methods: We examined 39 consecutive patients undergoing liver transplantation for their blood cytokine levels at various sites. Comparison of levels permitted us to select the best blood sample draw site, considering the best site to be the one showing the highest cytokine levels.

Variation in the levels of inflammatory cytokines depending on ischemic time: effects on respiratory variables.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the association between ischemic times, cytokines-interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1b, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, sIL-2r, IL-8, and IL-10-and alterations in gaseous exchange.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study of 42 orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) recipients examined ischemic times and respiratory variables measured as alterations in intrapulmonary shunt and in the Po(2)/Fio(2) ratio. Centrifuged blood samples were frozen at -80 degrees C for storage.