ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the feasibility of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in protecting the donor liver in donation after citizen's death. Methods Clinical data of 16 donors and recipients undergoing liver transplantation using ECMO to protect the donor liver were retrospectively analyzed. The effect of ECMO on different indicators of the donors was evaluated. The liver function and clinical prognosis of the recipients after liver transplantation were observed. Results Compared with the time before ECMO, the heart rate, total bilirubin (TB), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) of the donors after ECMO were significantly reduced, whereas the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) were remarkably increased (all P < 0.05). The liver function of the recipients was properly recovered after liver transplantation, and gradually restored normal at postoperative 7 to 28 d. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 recipients, including delayed liver function recovery in 1 case, biliary tract stenosis in 1 case and portal vein thrombosis in 1 case. Among them, the patient with portal vein thrombosis died after secondary operation, and the other 2 patients were recovered and discharged after symptomatic treatment. Conclusions The hemodynamics, liver function and other indicators of donors from donation after citizen's death are significantly improved after ECMO, and the liver function of the recipients also recover well.
ABSTRACT
Objective To summarize the preliminary experience of donor liver protection and function evaluation for organ donation after citizen's death. Methods Clinical data of 35 donors from organ donation after citizen's death and 33 recipients were retrospectively analyzed. Donor liver procurement and clinical prognosis of the recipients were summarized. According to serum level of sodium ion (serum sodium) before organ procurement, all recipients were divided into the serum sodium <155 mmol/L, 155-160 mmol/L and 161-180 mmol/L groups. The incidence of liver graft dysfunction early after liver transplantation was statistically compared among three groups. Results In 35 donors,27 cases were Chinese type Ⅱ and 8 cases were Chinese type Ⅲ. Thirty-three donor livers were used for liver transplantation, and the remaining 2 cases of donor livers were excluded due to congestive cirrhosis. In 33 liver transplantation recipients, 30 cases were successfully recovered. The liver function was gradually restored at postoperative 7-14 d, and normal liver function was obtained during long-term follow-up. Postoperatively, 3 recipients died including 2 cases dying from portal vein thrombosis and 1 case from pulmonary infection complicated with multiple organ failure. The incidence of early liver graft dysfunction of the recipients after liver transplantation was 18%, 23% and 4/5 in the serum sodium <155 mmol/L, 155-160 mmol/L and 161-180 mmol/L groups, respectively. Statistical significance was observed between the 161-180 mmol/L and <155 mmol/L groups (P<0.05). Conclusions Timely protection of donor liver, accurate evaluation and maintenance of liver function play a pivotal role in enhancing the utilization rate of donor liver, maintaining liver function and yielding good efficacy for transplantation.