ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background : In patients with chronic liver disease, the measurement of liver function is critical for monitoring disease progression, predicting the prognosis and choosing therapeutic strategies. The 13C-methacetin breath test is a simple, non-invasive diagnostic tool based on an inexpensive, non-toxic substance, which allows the accurate measurement of liver functional reserve.Aim : To investigate the 13C-methacetin breath test as a tool to monitor hepatic function in liver transplant candidates and recipients.Methods : Twenty-eight cirrhotic patients listed for orthotopic liver transplantation and 10 healthy controls were studied. The 13C-methacetin breath test (75 mg per os) was performed at baseline and at 12-week intervals. Intra-operative measurements were obtained during the liver transplantation procedure in nine patients. Results were expressed as the 13C-methacetin cumulative oxidation percentage 45 min after substrate ingestion.Results : The mean 13C-methacetin cumulative oxidation at 45 min was 16.4 ± 3.5% in healthy controls and 5.4 ± 4.2% in cirrhotic patients at the time of listing. In 11 patients who underwent successful liver transplantation, mean oxidation increased from 3.3 ± 1.6% before transplantation to 17.0 ± 5.2% at 6 months of follow-up. Variations in methacetine oxidation were closely related to the recovery of liver function. The mean intra-operative 13C-methacetin cumulative oxidation increased from 0.1% during the anhepatic phase to 3.7 ± 2.0% 2 h after reperfusion.Conclusions : The 13C-methacetin breath test is a simple and potentially useful tool for monitoring hepatic function in cirrhotic patients listed for liver transplantation, and during the intra-operative and post-operative phases.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01752.x
Permalink
