EFFECTS OF COLD ISCHEMIA TIME ON HEPATIC ALLOGRAFT FUNCTION

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Transplantation Surgery
• Organ Preservation

Background:

• Cold ischemia time is a critical factor influencing liver transplant outcomes.
• Optimizing organ preservation is essential for successful liver transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of cold ischemia time on liver allografts collected locally versus those collected from distant locations.
• To investigate the relationship between cold ischemia time and post-transplant graft health.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 83 liver transplantations was conducted.
• Patients were divided into two groups: locally collected grafts (n=41) and distantly collected grafts (n=42).
• Donor and recipient data, including cold ischemia time, surgical details, and laboratory results, were compared.

Main Results:

• Distant liver grafts had significantly longer cold ischemia times (500±145 min) compared to local grafts (317±105 min).
• Donors from distant locations had higher serum sodium levels.
• Increased cold ischemia time correlated with elevated serum ALT and total bilirubin levels.

Conclusions:

• While distant liver collection results in longer cold ischemia times, it did not cause significant histologic injury or increased transfusion requirements.
• A correlation exists between prolonged cold ischemia time and indicators of hepatic injury, specifically elevated ALT and total bilirubin.