ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Creatinine, bilirubin, and fibrinolysis resistance are associated with multi-organ dysfunction and likely risk factors for prolonged intensive care unit (pICU) stay following liver transplantation (LT). We hypothesize postoperative day-1 (POD-1) labs will predict pICU. METHODS: LT recipients had clinical laboratories and viscoelastic testing with tissue plasminogen activator thrombelastography (tPA TEG) to quantify fibrinolysis resistance (LY30) on POD-1. pICU was defined as one week or longer in the ICU. Logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between POD-1 labs and pICU. RESULTS: Of 304 patients, 50% went to the ICU, with 15% experiencing pICU. Elevated creatinine (OR 6.6, P â< â0.001) and low tPA TEG LY30 (OR 3.7, P â= â0.004) were independent predictors of pICU after controlling for other risk factors. A 9-fold increase in the rate of 90-day graft loss (19% vs 2% p â< â0.001) was observed patients who had these risk factors for pICU. CONCLUSION: Elevated creatine and fibrinolysis resistance are associated with pICU and poor outcomes following LT.