Right ventricular ejection fraction during orthotopic liver transplantation: does anesthetic technique make a difference?
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to evaluate the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) under 2 different anesthetic regimens: propofol vs isoflurane anesthesia.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the hemodynamic data of 25 (n = 25) patients who underwent OLT during the last year (2008). All patients were monitored with a modified pulmonary artery catheter, which continuously measured the RVEF. Anesthetic technique consisted of either isoflurane or total intravenous anesthesia with propofol. Surgical technique was similar between groups.


RESULTS
Ten (n = 10) patients comprised the isoflurane group (I), whereas 15 (n = 15) patients received propofol anesthesia (P). The RVEF was not significantly different between groups (I vs P, baseline: 41% ± 9% vs 40% ± 6%; anhepatic phase: 36% ± 8% vs 35% ± 6%; postreperfusion: 41% ± 6% vs 41% ± 8%; P = not significant).


CONCLUSIONS
The choice between propofol and isoflurane seems to have minimal influence on the RVEF during OLT, which followed similar trends regardless of the anesthetic technique.
Gouvêa
Glauber
G
Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Bonsucesso General Hospital, Rio de Janeiro 21041-030, Brazil.
Diaz
Rodrigo
R
Auler
Lúcio
L
Toledo
Renato
R
Martinho
José Manoel
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015742:Propofol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000187:drug effects*
D007530:Isoflurane; D015742:Propofol