Extravascular Lung Water and Intrathoracic Blood Volume Index Are Associated With Liver Function in Brain Dead Donors for Organ Transplant

Hemodynamic measurements during organ transplant procedures are essential. In this observational study, we measured clinical and hemodynamic parameters in 11 patients with advanced pulse indicator continuous cardiac output monitoring. Normally distributed clinical data were calculated as means ± standard deviation; hemodynamic, metabolic, and respiratory parameters related to liver and renal function were compared by linear regression analysis using Pearson correlation. Compared with the normal range, systemic vascular resistance was high (2278.02 ± 719.6 dyne·s/cm²/m²) and intrathoracic blood volume was low (787.37 ± 224.01 mL/m²) in our patient group. C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 levels were 96.26 ± 68.10 mg/mL and 246.24 ± 355.74 mmol/L, respectively. Liver and renal function parameters were in normal ranges. Extravascular lung water was correlated with total, conjugated, and unconjugated bilirubin and albumin (r = 0.342/P = .005; r = 0.338/ P = .005; r = 0.394/P = .001, and r = 0.358/P = .003) but not with aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine. Intrathoracic blood volume index was correlated with total bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin, and albumin (r = 0.324/P = .007; r = 0.394/P = .001, and r = 0.296/P = .015) but not with conjugated bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine. Lactate was not correlated with total bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin, albumin, and serum creatinine, but base excess was correlated with total bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, and albumin. PO₂ and Pco₂ were not correlated with liver function, although PO₂ was correlated with albumin. No correlations were shown between intrathoracic blood volume index, extravascular lung water, and liver function, but metabolic parameters, including base excess and lactate, were correlated with liver function. Pulse indicator continuous cardiac output monitoring may be a useful method to assess organ function and tissue perfusion in organ transplant.