Bolus versus continuous insulin infusion in immediate postoperative blood glucose control in liver transplantation: pragmatic clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness and safety of two insulin therapy techniques (continuous and intermittent infusion) in the blood glucose control of people who have undergone liver transplantation, in the immediate postoperative period. METHODS: The study was a prospective, open, pragmatic clinical trial with 42 participants, divided into two groups of 21 patients each, in the immediate postoperative period following liver transplantation. Participants in the Experimental Group and Control Group received continuous infusion and bolus insulin, respectively, starting at capillary blood glucose ≥150mg/dL. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the blood glucose reduction time to reach the target range between the Experimental Group and Control Group in the transplanted patients (p=0.919). No statistically significant differences regarding the presence of low blood glucose (p=0.500) and in the initial blood glucose value (p=0.345) were found. The study identified the final blood glucose value in postoperative intensive care unit lower and statistically significant in the continuous infusion pump group in relation to the Bolus Group (p<0.001). Additionally, the variation of blood glucose reduction was higher and statistically significant in the continuous method group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The continuous infusion method was more effective in the blood glucose control of patients in the postoperative period following liver transplantation. BRAZILIAN REGISTRY OF CLINICAL TRIALS: RBR-9Y5tbp.

Bolus versus continuous insulin infusion in immediate postoperative blood glucose control in liver transplantation: pragmatic clinical trial

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the effectiveness and safety of two insulin therapy techniques (continuous and intermittent infusion) in the blood glucose control of people who have undergone liver transplantation, in the immediate postoperative period. Methods: The study was a prospective, open, pragmatic clinical trial with 42 participants, divided into two groups of 21 patients each, in the immediate postoperative period following liver transplantation. Participants in the Experimental Group and Control Group received continuous infusion and bolus insulin, respectively, starting at capillary blood glucose ≥150mg/dL. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the blood glucose reduction time to reach the target range between the Experimental Group and Control Group in the transplanted patients (p=0.919). No statistically significant differences regarding the presence of low blood glucose (p=0.500) and in the initial blood glucose value (p=0.345) were found. The study identified the final blood glucose value in postoperative intensive care unit lower and statistically significant in the continuous infusion pump group in relation to the Bolus Group (p<0.001). Additionally, the variation of blood glucose reduction was higher and statistically significant in the continuous method group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The continuous infusion method was more effective in the blood glucose control of patients in the postoperative period following liver transplantation. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-9Y5tbp

[Hemodynamic instability in liver transplant: a challenge for the intensivist]. / A instabilidade hemodinâmica no transplante de fígado: um desafio para o intensivista.

OBJECTIVES: Although of great importance for all those involved in liver transplant, in literature there is no consensual description on its hemodynamic behavior. This study intends to describe the hemodynamic behavior during and in the first 48 h after liver transplant . METHODS: A prospective and consecutive study of 61 patients was carried out; 50 were male, with average age of 49 years (18-70 years). Hemodynamic measurements were followed up at the beginning of the surgery, 30 minutes after revascularization of the graft and afterwards 6 hours up to 48 h post revascularization. Weight was obtained upon hospital admission and at 6 o'clock on the first and second postoperative days. RESULTS: mean arterial pressure starts to increase soon after surgery, reaching significantly higher values 24 h after revascularization. Cardiac index increases significantly soon after revascularization, progressively returning to preoperative values. Likewise the systemic vascular resistance falls significantly immediately after revascularization, reaching values similar to the preoperative ones 24 h after revascularization. The pulmonary wedge pressure rises significantly 6 hours after revascularization and there is a significant weight increase at the end of the first postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: During the first hours after liver transplant an intense hemodynamic variation is noted with progressive increase in the systemic arterial pressures and in the pulmonary wedge pressure. Furthermore, significant although transitory variations of the cardiac index and of the systemic vascular resistance demand continuous surveillance to minimize their consequences.

A instabilidade hemodinâmica no transplante de fígado: um desafio para o intensivista / Hemodynamic instability in liver transplant: a challenge for the intensivist

OBJETIVO: Embora de grande importância para os que lidam com o perioperatório do transplante de fígado, seu comportamento hemodinâmico ainda não encontra uma descrição consensual na literatura. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever o comportamento hemodinâmico durante as primeiras 48 horas do transplante de fígado. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados prospectiva e consecutivamente 61 pacientes, sendo 50 homens, com idade média de 49 anos (18-70 anos). As medidas hemodinâmicas foram realizadas no início da cirurgia, 30 minutos após a revascularização do enxerto e, a partir de então, a cada 6 horas até 48 horas após a revascularização. O peso foi obtido no momento da internação e no primeiro e segundo dias de pós-operatório às 6h. RESULTADOS: A pressão arterial média começa a apresentar aumento nas primeiras horas de pós-operatório com valores significativamente mais elevados 24 horas após a revascularização. O índice cardíaco apresenta um aumento significativo logo após a revascularização, voltando progressivamente aos valores pré-operatórios. Da mesma forma, a resistência vascular sistêmica apresenta uma queda significativa imediatamente após a revascularização, voltando a atingir valores próximos aos pré-transplante após 24 horas da revascularização. A pressão de capilar pulmonar começa a apresentar valores significativamente mais elevados já com 6 horas após a revascularização e o peso aumenta significativamente já no primeiro pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: Nas primeiras horas após o transplante de fígado, há uma intensa variação hemodinâmica, com aumento progressivo das pressões arterial sistêmica e de capilar pulmonar, além de variações significativas, porém transitórias, do índice cardíaco e da resistência vascular sistêmica, exigindo uma vigilância contínua para minimizar suas conseqüências.