Influence of graft-to-body weight ratio on portal blood flow velocity in recipients after adult-to-infant living donor liver transplantation

Abstract

Objective To determine the range of portal blood flow velocity with Doppler sonography in recipients without major complications after adult-to-infant living donor liver transplantation (A-ILDLT) and to explore factors affecting portal blood flow velocity. Methods Twenty-two patients (14 males and 8 females with the mean age of 6. 8 months ± 2. 5 months) who underwent adult-to-infant living donor liver transplantation were enrolled. The diameter and peak portal blood flow velocity of the recipient portal vein were measured with Doppler sonography within the first three postoperative days. Utilizing Pearson's test, the correlations between the age of recipients, diameter of portal vein,the body weight of host, the graft weight, the graft-to-body weight ratio and recipient portal blood flow velocity were analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the correlation between independent factors and recipient portal blood flow velocity. Results The mean peak portal blood flow velocity was (36 ± 15) cm/s ranging from 17 cm/s to 73 cm/s. There was significantly negative correlation (r = - 0. 591, P = 0. 005 ) between Portal blood flow velocity and graft-to-body weight ratio. Multiple regression analysis showed graft-to-body weight ratio independently correlated with portal blood flow velocity (β= - 10. 483, P = 0. 005). Conclusions Depending on the graft-tobody weight ratio, recipient portal blood flow velocity has a wide range within the early days after adult-to-infant living donor liver transplantation. Key words: Liver transplantation; Portal Vein; Transplants