[Venovenous bypass in 54 liver transplantations].

Objectives: To summarize hemodynamic and metabolic changes during bypass, and to evaluate the bypass in liver transplantation.

Methods: Fifty-four patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation with venovenous bypass from May 2000 to May 2002. Their clinical features were analysed.

Results: SHR, MAP, CVP, CO, PaO(2), PaCO(2), serum K(+), Na(+), Ca(2+), BUN values were not significantly changed during bypass. Compared to the pre-bypass stage, pH was decreased in the post-bypass stage (P < 0.05), serum lactic acid value was increased in the bypass and post-bypass stage (P < 0.05), active clotting time was increased in the bypass stage (P < 0.05), serum creatinine value was increased on first postoperative day (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Venovenous bypass could improve hemodynamic and metabolic stability in the anhepatic phase, but it also could increase operation duration, liver ischemic time and cost.