Utilidad de la diferencia venoarterial de PCO2 como predictor de complicaciones en el postoperatorio inmediato del trasplante hepático

Abstract

ObjectiveTest whether the development of abnormal venous-to arterial CO2 difference (ΔPCO2) during the early phases of postoperative care after a liver transplantation is related to multi-organ dysfunction and outcomes. Materials and methodsProspective cohort study accomplished in a mixed intensive care unit at a university hospital. We included 150 eligible patients after a liver transplantation between 2015 and 2018.Patients were classified in 4predefined groups according to the ΔPCO2 evolution during the first 6h of resuscitation: 1) persistently normal ΔPCO2 (normal at T0 and T6); 2) decreasing ΔPCO2 (high at T0, normal at T6); 3) increasing ΔPCO2 (normal at T0, high at T6); and 4) persistently high ΔPCO2 (high at T0 and T6). Multiorgan dysfunction at day-3 was compared for predefined groups and a Kaplan Meier curve was constructed to show the survival probabilities using a log-rank test to evaluate differences between groups. A Spearman-rho was used to test the agreement between cardiac output and ΔPCO2. ResultsThere were no significant differences between the study groups regarding higher SOFA scores at day-3 (P=0.86), Δ-SOFA (P=0.088), as well as global mortality rates (χ2=5.72; P=0.126) and mortality rates at day-30 (χ2=2.23; P=0.5252).A significantly poor inverse agreement between cardiac output and ΔPCO2 was observed (rho de Spearman −0,17; P=0,002) at different points of resuscitation. ConclusionsAfter a liver transplantation, central venous-to-arterial CO2 difference was not associated with survival or postoperative adverse outcomes in a critical care patients population.