WHOLE-BODY OXYGEN-CONSUMPTION DURING EXTRACORPOREAL HEPATIC RESECTION- USEFULNESS OF CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF MIXED VENOUS OXYGEN-SATURATION

Whole body oxygen consumption was measured using a thermodilution fibr eoptic catheter in two patients undergoing extracorporeal hepatic rese ction. Each patient had virtually normal liver function before the ope ration. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained in a standard fashion a nd a venovenous bypass instituted. The anhepatic periods were 302 and 157 min. Upon removal of the liver, the oxygen consumption decreased b y about 40% (50 mL/min), while the mixed venous oxygen saturation incr eased by about 15%. Following re-implantation, the oxygen consumption recovered and increased transiently above control values, while the mi xed venous oxygen saturation changed in a reciprocal way. Monitoring w hole body oxygen consumption instead of hepatic oxygen consumption see med helpful in estimating restoration of blood flow and functions in t he liver after reperfusion. It was also suggested that changes in oxyg en consumption as well as those in cardiac output and haemoglobin conc entration could be predicted easily by continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation during the peri-anhepatic period.