Albumin Effect on Hemorheological Parameters in Patients with Liver Transplant

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is a life-saving treatment in end-stage liver failure. Hemorheological features as blood fluidity and red blood cell aggregation may alter effective tissue perfusion, graft function and hemodynamic variables. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate effect of albumin infusion on red blood cell deformability and aggregation, blood viscosity and hemodynamics in liver transplant patients. METHODS: Seventeen live or cadaveric donors were included in this prospective study. Hemorheological and hemodynamic measurements were performed in order to evaluate the effects of albumin infusion in perioperative period. RESULTS: Erythrocyte aggregation was significantly reduced 90 minutes after albumin infusion (p < 0.01). Mean blood viscosity revealed significant decrease at 20 rpm and 50 rpm after 90 minutes of albumin infusion (p < 0.05). Plasma viscosity decreased significantly compared to the value before albumin infusion at 20 rpm (p < 0.05). Albumin replacement improved hemodynamic variables in patients with low blood pressure and cardiac index measurements (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Human albumin infusion led to decrease in whole blood and plasma viscosities, red blood cell aggregation and induced blood pressure and cardiac index elevation in perioperative liver transplant patients. Determination of hemodynamic and hemorheological effects of human albumin replacement in various patient populations may serve beneficial clinical data.