[Telemetric impedance analysis of the liver: evaluation of a noninvasive device for diagnosis of acute graft rejection after experimental liver transplantation].
Allograft rejection and its differentiation from other causes of organ dysfunction remains a diagnostic problem in liver transplant patients. Currently, acute rejection can be prevented only by a combination of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. The diagnostic potential of a novel implantable telemetric rejection monitoring device has been assessed on the basis of the noninvasive impedance analysis in normal and liver transplanted pigs. The electric impedance data were correlated with biochemical and histological parameters. Acute rejection was correctly predicted in n = 4, and correctly excluded in n = 32, biopsy-related impedance recordings (p = 0.004). A correlation between impedance measurements and severity of histological findings r = 0.84; p = 0.0001) was confirmed. Only the biochemical parameters SGLDH and serum bilirubin revealed a comparable correlation. Impedance gradient analysis revealed evidence of a physiological relationship between liver function and the electrical properties of the organ. Telemetric impedance analysis would appear a promising means of assessing acute rejection noninvasively.
Harms
J
J
Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technischen Universität München, Klinikum r. d. Isar.
Schneider
A
A
Hess
U
U
Pragst
I
I
Henke
J
J
Busch
R
R
Böttcher
K
K
D000818:Animals; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation*