[Coagulation disorders during orthotopic liver transplantation].

Coagulation disorders have been noted during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) especially just after reperfusion of the grafted liver. This study was undertaken to clarify the coagulation disorders following reperfusion of the liver graft. OLT was carried out in adult mongrel dogs using a cuff technique. Fresh and 24-hour preserved livers were grafted. Platelet count (P1), activated partial thromboplastin time (A-PTT), prothrombin time (PT) and plasma fibrinogen levels (Fng) were measured before and after OLT. Next perfusate obtained from fresh livers or preserved livers for 24-hours or 48-hours was determined for their ability of inducing coagulation disorders when infused in untreated dogs, and was also tested for their activity of platelet aggregation, tissue thromboplastin (F-III), and plasminogen activator (PA). All dogs which received preserved livers showed a marked coagulation disorders including a decrease in P1 and Fng, and prolongation of A-PTT and PT, but the dogs with fresh liver grafts did not. Infusion of the perfusate collected from a perfusion of the preserved liver induced similar coagulation disorders in untreated dogs. The perfusate obtained from the preserved liver showed significant increased F-III activity as compared with that from fresh liver. On the other hand, neither direct platelet aggregation activity nor PA activity was seen or very low if any. These results indicate that F-III liberated from a damaged liver is responsible for the coagulation disorders after reperfusion of the graft in liver transplantation.