RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Fluid therapy during major hepatic resection aims at minimizing fluids during the dissection phase to reduce central venous pressure (CVP), retrograde liver blood flow, and venous bleeding. This strategy, however, may lead to hyperlactatemia. The Acumen™ Assisted Fluid Management system uses novel decision support software whose algorithm helps clinicians optimize fluid therapy. We tested the hypothesis that using this decision support system could decrease arterial lactate at the end of major hepatic resection when compared to a more restrictive fluid strategy. METHODS: This two-arm, prospective, randomized controlled, assessor-and patient-blinded superiority study included consecutive patients undergoing major liver surgery equipped with an arterial catheter linked to an uncalibrated stroke volume monitor. In the decision support group, fluid therapy was guided throughout the entire procedure using the assisted fluid management software. In the restrictive fluid group, clinicians were recommended to restrict fluid infusion to 1-2 ml.kg-1.h-1 until the completion of hepatectomy. They then administered fluids based on advanced hemodynamic variables. Noradrenaline was titrated in all patients to maintain a mean arterial pressure >65mmHg. The primary outcome was arterial lactate level upon completion of surgery (i.e., skin closure). RESULTS: Ninety patients were enrolled over a 7-month period. The primary outcome was lower in the decision support group than in the restrictive group (median[Q1-Q3] 2.5[1.9-3.7]mmol.L-1 vs 4.6[3.1-5.4]mmol.L-1, median difference -2.1, 95%CI(-2.7,-1.2), p<0.001). Among secondary exploratory outcomes, there was no difference in blood loss (median[Q1-Q3] 450[300-600]ml vs 500[300-800]ml, p=0.727) although CVP was higher in the decision support group (mean (SD) of 7.7(2.0)mmHg vs 6.6(1.1)mmHg, p<0.002). CONCLUSION: Patients managed using a clinical decision support system to guide fluid administration during major hepatic resection had a lower arterial lactate concentration at the end of surgery when compared to a more restrictive fluid strategy. Future trials are necessary to make conclusive recommendations that will change clinical practice.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) remains a potentially haemorrhagic procedure whose perioperative bleeding and transfusion could be better monitored using point-of-care devices. Quantra® is a device based on sonorheometry to assess whole blood clot formation. Our aims were to describe Quantra® parameters during LT and to study their correlations with standard laboratory parameters, and to determine Quantra® cut-off values for thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia and coagulation factors' deficit. METHODS: In 34 patients undergoing LT, blood samples were collected before surgical incision, 15 min after the beginning of the anhepatic phase, and 15 min after arterial revascularization of the graft. RESULTS: Clotting time (CT) was well correlated with prothrombin (PT) ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ratio. Platelet contribution to clot stiffness (PCS) was correlated with platelets (ρ = 0.82, p < 0.001) and fibrinogen contribution clot stiffness (FCS) with fibrinogen (Fg) (ρ = 0.74, p < 0.001). CT predicted a PT ratio < 30% with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 (95% CI 0.87-0.98; p < 0.001). PCS predicted a platelet count < 50 G/L with an AUC of 0.87 (95% CI 0.76-0.98, p < 0.001). FCS predicted a Fg < 1.0, 1.2 or 1.5 g/L, with an AUC of 0.86 (95% CI 0.77-094, p < 0.001), 0.82 (95% CI 0.74-0.91, p < 0.001) and 0.88 (95% CI 0.82-0.95, p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Quantra® provides a rapid assessment of haemostasis during LT.