[Analysis of the causes of death in patients awaiting liver transplantation].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the causes of death of patients awaiting liver transplantation, in order to improve the management of these patients.


METHODS
Data of 63 patients died in our hospital from January 2003 to June 2007 while waiting for liver transplantation were analyzed retrospectively, including waiting time, general condition, treatment and causes of death.


RESULTS
The average length of stay awaiting liver transplantation and stay in intensive care unit was (32.53+/-17.21) days and (12.75+/-9.77)days, respectively. While on the waiting list, the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, encephalopathy and infection was 47.62%, 39.68% and 74.60%, respectively. The predominant causes of death were septic shock or multiple organ failure (MOF) and varicose vein bleeding, accounting for a mortality of 39.68% and 26.98%, respectively. Blood purification, when used timely, offered therapeutic effects for hepatic encephalopathy and hepatic renal syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
For the candidates in the waiting list of liver transplantation, the major causes of death were infection and lethal upper digestive tract bleeding.
Shen
Zhong-Yang
ZY
Department of Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China.
Liu
Yi-He
YH
Liu
Lei
L
Ming
Yu
Y
Wang
Wei-Li
WL
Li
Jing
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057234:Preoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014850:Waiting Lists