Liver Function Tests Following Open Cardiac Surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Hepatology
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery can impact liver function.
• Systemic effects on organs like the liver warrant further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence and significance of liver function changes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 200 patients undergoing CABG.
• Assessed liver function tests (bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP) preoperatively and up to 72 hours post-CABG.
• Analyzed correlations between liver enzymes, hypotension, hypothermia, and pump time.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in total bilirubin, AST, and ALP observed by postoperative day 3.
• Hypotension correlated with changes in ALP and AST.
• Hypothermia did not significantly affect ALT, total bilirubin, or indirect bilirubin.

Conclusions:

• Transient liver enzyme alterations occur after CABG, likely due to reduced hepatic flow, hypoxia, or inflammation.
• These hepatic changes are generally not permanent.