Abstract:

Objective To investigate the association of passive hepatic arterial buffer response (HABR) with recovery of liver function and early biliary complications after liver transplantation. Methods The early hepatic arterial flow and portal venous flow were monitored in 60 patients subject to liver transplantation before operation and 1 d and 2 d after operation, and HABR was evaluated. According to HABR findings, patients were divided into HABR group (HABR existence) and No-HABR group (HABR impairment). Based on results of liver function tests, B ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP), the association of HABR with recovery of liver function and early biliary complications after liver transplantation was analysed. Results There were 30 patients in HABR group and No-HABR group each. The time of recovery of liver function and duration of hospital stay in HABR group were significantly shorter than those in No-HABR group (P<0.05), and the liver function parameters of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) in HABR group were better recovered (P<0.05). The prevalence of early biliary complications in HABR group was significantly lower than that in No-HABR group (P<0.05). Conclusion HABR can be evaluated by monitoring of hepatic arterial flow and portal venous flow after liver transplantation, and the intact passive HABR may promote recovery of liver function and decrease the prevalence of early biliary complications.

Key words: liver transplantation, hepatic arterial buffer response, passive, hemodynamics, liver function, early biliary complications