Abstract
Patients undergoing liver transplantation are at risk of developing the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and attention has been focused on the pathogenic role of decreased gastro-intestinal mucosal perfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of laser-Doppler flowmetry for determination of jejunal perfusion. In 10 patients an endoluminal laser-Doppler catheter was positioned with the tip in the jejunum for continuous measurements of jejunal perfusion. The anhepatic phase was associated with a progressive decrease in jejunal perfusion to 49 (40/65)% (P < 0.01) of dissection phase value. At the end of surgery the jejunal perfusion had increased to 134 (103/158)% (P < 0.01) of dissection phase jejunal perfusion. The endoluminal laser-Doppler technique was found to be easily applicable for continuous monitoring of jejunal perfusion, and the technique could prove valuable in detecting gastro-intestinal hypoperfusion in patients undergoing liver transplantation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 24-30 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Transplant International |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 |
Keywords
- Intestinal mucosa
- Laser-Doppler flowmetry
- Liver transplantation
- Splanchnic blood flow