BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate (ICG-PDR) and allograft function as well as postoperative complications after liver transplantation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 115 cases of adult liver transplantation performed from 1 June 2016 to 1 December 2016 were enrolled. These 115 patients were divided into a group of PDR <18%/min (50 cases) and a group of PDR ≥18%/min (65 cases). The rates of liver recovery, postoperative complications, and survival were compared between these 2 groups.

RESULTS: Among the total of 115 patients, 111 patients recovered well and were discharged, whereas 4 patients died during the first month after the operation. Between the 2 groups, significant differences were observed in terms of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, intraoperative bleeding volume, and the level of hemoglobin (Hb), pre-albumin (PA) and total bilirubin (TB) the first week after the operation. Overall, the incidence of hepatic arterial complications and pneumonia was much higher in the PDR<18%/min group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The early postoperative value of ICG-PDR was closely related to graft function and could act as a good predictor for the incidence of postoperative arterial complications.

Keywords: Liver Function Tests, Liver Transplantation