Intraoperative Portal Vein Flow > 123 mL/min Per 100 g Predicts a Better Survival of Patients After Liver Transplantation

Objective To assess the importance of intraoperative portal vein flow measurement during liver transplantation in relation to postoperative complications and graft and patient survival. Materials and methods Retrospective review including 291 patients who had all the information and covering a period of 10 years (2007–2017). Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut-off point that would have the greatest impact on the probability of being alive at 5 years was established. In relation to this value, 2 groups were formed (low and high flow) and demographic variables, intraoperative variables, postoperative complications, and graft and patient survival were compared. Results A portal flow of 123 mL/min per100 g of liver tissue was established (area under the curve = 0.58), obtaining a low-flow (n = 129) and a high-flow group (n = 162). The 2 groups were similar in their preoperative characteristics, except for a higher proportion of preoperative ascites, a higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and a lower weight of donors in the high-flow group. The arterial and portal flows were significantly higher in the high-flow group. In the postoperative period, the high-flow group presented a higher rate of ascites. The 5-year survival rate of patients was significantly higher in the high-flow group (76% vs 84%, P = .03). Conclusions Patients undergoing liver transplantation with an intraoperative portal vein flow measurement >123 mL/min per 100 g present a greater 5-year survival rate.