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.
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