Transplant Trial Watch

Perioperative Assessment of Terlipressin Infusion during Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Hong SH, Lee JM, et al.

Journal of International Medical Research, 40(1): 225-236, 2012.


Aims
To investigate the safety and efficacy of intraoperative infusion of terlipressin in comparison with conventional vasopressors in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation.

Interventions
Terlipressin was infused at 1.0-4.0µg/kg/hr during surgery versus general inotropic vasopressor agent.

Participants
41 liver transplant recipients.

Outcomes
Haemodynamic variables included mean arterial pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index, pulmonary vascular resistance index, cardiac outcome, tissue oxygenation, amount of bleeding, transfusion volume and hourly urine output. Post-operative outcomes included graft rejection, death rate, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, cardiovascular events, vascular thrombosis, renal dysfunction and infections.

Follow-up
10 days post-transplantation.

CET Conclusions
Infusion of terlipressin during living donor liver transplantation did induce a higher systemic vascular resistance index and portal vein vascular resistant index in comparison to the control group who did not receive terlipressin. There is a suggestion that this resulted in better renal function and shorter stays in ICU in the intervention patients.

Jadad score
3

Data analysis
Per protocol analysis

Allocation concealment
No

Trial registration
Not reported

Funding source
Not reported