title: Perioperative Care of the Liver Transplant Patient.
abstract: With the evolution of surgical and anesthetic techniques, liver transplantation has become "routine," allowing for modifications of practice to decrease perioperative complications and costs. There is debate over the necessity for intensive care unit admission for patients with satisfactory preoperative status and a smooth intraoperative course. Postoperative care is made easier when the liver graft performs optimally. Assessment of graft function, vigilance for complications after the major surgical insult, and optimization of multiple systems affected by liver disease are essential aspects of postoperative care. The intensivist plays a vital role in an integrated multidisciplinary transplant team.
authors.affiliation: Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Charlton 1145, 200 1st Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: keegan.mark@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Keegan
authors.affiliation: Aurora Critical Care Service, 2901 W Kinnickinnic River Parkway, Milwaukee, WI 53215, USA; University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, 750, Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003422:Critical Care; D020065:Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D062666:Vascular Access Devices; D015300:Ventilator Weaning
keywords: Anesthesia; Complications; Intensive care; Liver transplantation; Mechanical ventilation; Postoperative