Dynamics of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Markers During Normothermic Liver Machine Perfusion.

Background: A comprehensive mechanistic assessment of normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) is an essential step toward identifying biomarkers to assess liver viability. Although some studies have evaluated the effect of NMP on inflammation markers, there are other key pathological mechanisms involved in ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) that have not yet been evaluated.

Methods: Eight human donor livers preserved by NMP were included to analyze IRI during preservation.

The link between high factor VIII to protein C ratio values and poor liver function after major hepatectomy.

Our goal was to assess the coagulation profile in the immediate postoperative time after major liver surgery and its association with the liver function. Our hypothesis is that a decreased synthesis of the coagulation factor levels reflects an impaired liver synthesis following hepatic resection and will be associated with poor outcomes. This is a prospective, observational study recruiting consecutive patients scheduled for major liver resection in a tertiary hospital.

An Individualized Low-Pneumoperitoneum-Pressure Strategy May Prevent a Reduction in Liver Perfusion during Colorectal Laparoscopic Surgery.

High intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during laparoscopic surgery is associated with reduced splanchnic blood flow. It is uncertain whether a low IAP prevents this reduction. We assessed the effect of an individualized low-pneumoperitoneum-pressure strategy on liver perfusion.

Usefulness of Indocyanine Green Plasma Disappearance Rate in Liver Donors and Recipients: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Determination of indocyanine green (ICG) plasma disappearance rate (PDR) is a simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive tool to assess liver perfusion, absorption, and elimination. Its application in the liver transplant process has not been widely incorporated in clinical practice. This study aims to assess the usefulness of ICG PDR in the donor selection setting and in the early post-transplant phase and to analyze its variation between these 2 time points.

Extravascular Lung Water and Pulmonary Vascular Permeability Index Measured at the End of Surgery Are Independent Predictors of Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation.

Background: Pulmonary edema (PE) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may compromise the postoperative course and prolong the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and intensive care unit length of stay. Hemodynamic monitoring with transpulmonary thermodilution permits quantification of extravascular lung water index (ELWI) and calculation of the pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI), which is the ratio between the ELWI and the pulmonary blood volume. This ratio can discriminate between PE hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic PE.

Early noninvasive measurement of the indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate accurately predicts early graft dysfunction and mortality after deceased donor liver transplantation.

Early diagnosis of graft dysfunction in liver transplantation is essential for taking appropriate action. Indocyanine green clearance is closely related to liver function and can be measured noninvasively by spectrophotometry. The objectives of this study were to prospectively analyze the relationship between the indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate (ICGPDR) and early graft function after liver transplantation and to evaluate the role of ICGPDR in the prediction of severe graft dysfunction (SGD).

Hemodynamic effects of lidocaine in the thoracic paravertebral space during one-lung ventilation for thoracic surgery.

Objective: There is increasing interest in the use of the thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) in association with general anesthesia for lung-resection surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of a 5-mg/kg lidocaine bolus injected in the thoracic paravertebral space during one-lung ventilation (OLV) in noncardiac patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Paravertebral ropivacaine, 0.3%, and bupivacaine, 0.25%, provide similar pain relief after thoracotomy.

Objective: This study was designed to determine whether ropivacaine plus fentanyl was as effective as bupivacaine plus fentanyl in a continuous thoracic paravertebral block after posterolateral thoracotomy.

Design: Patients were randomly assigned in a blinded fashion to receive 1 of 2 solutions for paravertebral analgesia.

Setting: Multi-institutional university hospital.