SERUM HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR (HGF) LEVELS PREDICT THE OUTCOMES IN HEPATECTOMIZED PATIENTS WITH POSTOPERATIVE HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the usefulness of serum hepa tocyte growth factor (HGF) levels as a prognostic factor in hepatectom ized patients with early postoperative hyperbilirubinemia (HB). The se rum HGF levels of 14 patients with early postoperative HB (serum total bilirubin level above 5 mg/dl lasting at least 3 days), were measured perioperatively (prior to and 6 h, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 14 days followin g surgery) and the relationship between changes in serum HGF levels an d postoperative outcome was analyzed. The 14 patients were divided int o two groups: 6 patients (Group A) ameliorated by conservative therapi es within 7 days after surgery, and 8 patients (Group B) with prolonge d HB more than 2 weeks after surgery. Five patients (83%) in Group A s howed relatively low maximum serum HGF levels (< 2.0 ng/ml), whereas 7 patients (88%) in Group B showed high serum HGF levels (> 2.0 ng/ml). Six of the 7 patients in Group B developed hepatic failure and died. These results suggest that, in patients with HE or those in whom it is expected to occur soon after hepatectomy, the measurements of serum H GF levels would be beneficial for determining therapy and predicting p ostoperative outcomes. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Inc.