Applied value of indocyanine green clearance test in assessing liver allograft function in patients using organs from deceased citizens

Objective To investigate the correlation between the retention rate of indocyanine green at 15 min (ICG R15) and short-term prognosis of patients after liver transplantation. Method Sixty-two cases of liver transplantation from March 2015 to December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. ICG R15 and routine liver function tests after transplantation were analyzed with reference to outcome among liver transplant recipients. Result Among the overall series of patients, the ICG R15 at 1st, 3rd, 7th, 5th, and 14th day after liver transplantation was significantly correlated with total bilirubin (r=0.816, P<0.001), pre-albumin (r=-0.359, P<0.001), serum albumin (r=-0.312, P=0.001), and MELD score (r=0.612, P<0.001) at corresponding time points. A higher incidence of acute rejection was observed in high ICG R15 group. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that ICG R15 was an independent factor for early allograft dysfunction. Conclusion Postoperative ICG R15 is an independent predictor of liver allograft function for liver transplant recipients using organs from deceased citizens. Key words: Indocyanine green; Liver transplantation; Clearance test; Early allograft dysfunction