Paradox: Does liver insuffi ciency protect the patient? A hypothesis

Despite the fact that the key role of the liver in the formation of the immune response to injury is not in doubt, the mechanisms of weakening the immune response to infectious and noninfectious lesions in patients with hepatic failure remain unclear. We propose an original hypothesis of forming the ways to limit the amplitude of the systemic inflammatory response in patients with the end-stage liver disease. The basis of the hypothesis is the idea that as a result of reducing the intensity of the natural stimulation of membrane mCD14 receptors by the ligands of infectious nature, the basic mechanism of the systemic immune response induction by liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) is interrupted. According to the proposed hypothesis, in condition of liver failure, the synthesis of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein by hepatocytes is reduced. This leads to a decreased amplitude and intensity of the protective immune responses. This fact explains a number of clinical phenomena observed in patients with liver failure/dysfunction that consist in a reduced reactivity of the organism to the damage inflicted by infectious and noninfectious agents. The authors consider it possible to use this hypothesis in the search for new trends to prevent the immune system hyper-reactivity in sepsis, and to improve the therapeutic strategies for the management of patients at high risk of infectious complications after liver transplantation

Inflammatory markers and infectious complications in the early postoperative period in orthotopic liver transplantation

Procalcitonin and c-reactive protein are routine inflammatary markers used in the perioperative period to detect surgical infectious complications. However, a number of studies have demonstrated that these laboratory markers appear less effective in identifying infectious complications in the early postoperative period in patients after liver transplantation, and their predictive power is limited. We hypothesized, that interleukin-6 could be a more reliable and precise marker of the development of infectious complications in this patient population

The effect of using the algorithm of restrictive intraoperative fluid therapy, early immune enteral nutrition, and early patient mobilization on orthotopic liver transplantation outcomes

Major surgical procedures induce a number of pathophysiological responses, which may lead to a significant increase in perioperative complications, delayed recovery and rehabilitation, and longer hospital stays. Fast-track surgery, also known as enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) or as multimodal surgery, aims at decreasing the frequency of postoperative complications, creating optimal conditions for earlier postoperative recovery and return to normal life activities.The implementation of fast-track programs results in a reduced treatment duration without increase in readmissions. In this article, we have described our experience in the application of fast track program components to improve the outcomes after liver transplantation