Organ Dysfunction Associated With Intraabdominal Pressures in Liver Transplantation

Patients with end stage liver disease have varying degrees of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) due to the presence of ascites. The perioperative events may either relieve or aggravate the intra-abdominal pressures. Intra-abdominal hypertension has damaging effect on various organ systems. There is an increase in intracranial pressures and a decrease in cerebral perfusion pressures associated with IAH . In the heart, there is an increase of right atrial pressures, increase in systemic vascular resistance and decrease in cardiac output . Pulmonary complications include increase in the peak, mean and plateau airway pressures, with decreased compliance . Renal dysfunction is an early effect of raised intra-abdominal pressure, resulting from decreased renal blood flow, shunting of blood to the medulla, mechanical compression of the kidneys and increased pressures in the renal veins . We would study the intra-abdominal pressures in liver transplant recipients and record hemodynamic, respiratory, cardiac and renal function prospectively. Follow up data for 6 days for neurological, respiratory, cardiac and renal complications will be collected, along with hospital stay, ICU stay and mortality. The association between intra-abdominal pressures and these outcomes will be analysed.