Hemostatic studies of ex situ hepatic surgery

Ex situ hepatic surgery, in which a diseased liver is resected from outside the body, was first reported in 1988. This study investigates the hemostatic changes occurring during such surgery in two cases. During the anhepatic period of more than 5 hours, veno-venous bypass without heparin was performed. The tests included platelet count, prothrombin activity (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrinogen (Fbg), factor II (F.II), factor V (F.V), and thromboelastography (TEG). Three to 4 hours after entering the anhepatic phase, marked fibrinolysis and a fall in the values of PT, Fbg and F.V. were observed. Every parameter temporarily deteriorated immediately after revascularization of the graft, however, all returned to almost normal values within 1-2 hours after hepatic reperfusion except for F.V and platelets. In conclusion, the coagulopathy during ex situ hepatic surgery is caused by the marked fibrinolysis and depletion of hemostatic factors which develop 3-4 hours after the onset of the anhepatic phase.