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Background/aims: Brain natriuretic peptide is a cardiac neurohormone secreted from ventricles in response to end diastolic pressure and increased volume. It has diuretic, natriuretic and vasodilator effects. In cirrhosis, a hyperdynamic circulation occurs because of hemodynamic and hemostatic alterations. The increase in brain natriuretic peptide concentration shows parallelism with the stage of cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation of increased brain natriuretic peptide level with the pathophysiologic components of cirrhosis and treatment., Methods: Ninety-five cirrhotic patients in different stages (Child-A: 33; Child-B: 25; Child-C:37) and age and sex matched 86 healthy individuals were recruited for the study. Brain natriuretic peptide concentration was measured with brain natriuretic peptide-Triage test device using fluoresan immune assay method., Results: Brain natriuretic peptide levels of patients with hepatic cirrhosis were significantly higher compared to control group (288.5±329.2/60.2±29.5/p=0.000, respectively). Serum brain natriuretic peptide levels were positively correlated with Child score (Child A-B-C; 201.2±266/258.7±233.6/386.5±407.7, respectively). A negative correlation was observed between brain natriuretic peptide and albumin levels (p=0.002). Brain natriuretic peptide concentration was significantly correlated with the grade of esophagus varices, and presence of ascites and collateral circulation (p=0.006; p=0.001; p=0.002; respectively). Patients receiving with beta-blocker and diuretic treatments had significantly higher brain natriuretic peptide levels., Conclusions: High brain natriuretic peptide levels in patients with cirrhosis may be due to hepatocellular insufficiency or portal hypertension, but a cardiomyopathy developing insiduously should not be regarded.

Background/aims: We aimed to present the experience of the first 100 liver transplantations carried out at Akdeniz University., Methods: The data of 100 patients in pediatric and adult age groups who underwent liver transplantation at Akdeniz University Organ Transplantation Center between January 2000 and January 2007 were examined retrospectively. The cases between January 2000 and December 2003 were evaluated as the first term and those between January 2004 and January 2007 as the second term., Results: The mean age of the 100 patients (52M, 48F) was 38.6+/-17.3 (1-68) years. One-year and three-year survival rates of the patients were determined as 67.3% and 54.3% in the first term and 88.7% and 79.3% in the second term, respectively., Conclusions: With better comprehension of recipient and donor surgery technique, in addition to accumulation of knowledge and experience, the results in liver transplantation might be improved.