Hydroelectrolytic and acid-basic alterations on immediate postoperative liver transplantation: A 20-year retrospective analysis at a reference center in the Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Since the development of the liver transplantation (LT) techniques and the first surgeries, challenges around this procedure emerged. Disorders such as hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia may be observed in patients after LT. Despite the frequency, these disturbs are poorly studied. Purposes: To analyze which hydroelectrolytic disorders and acid-base are most frequent in the immediate postoperative of patients submitted to LT, their prevalence and relation of these alterations with other frequent complications in those patients. Methods: This is a transversal retrospective study that included 599 patients who underwent LT between 1999 and 2021. Data collection was performed by analyzing medical records in the Unidade de Transplante de Fígado (UTF), located at Universitary Hospital Oswaldo do Cruz in Recife (PE). Results: Hyponatremia was present in 18% of the sample, hypokalemia in 21%, hypocalcemia in 77%, 40% presented hyperphosphatemia, and 69% had hypomagnesemia. Hypoalbuminemia was present in 98% of patients, and 69% had hyperlactatemia. Acidosis was present in above 55% of the sample. Conclusion: Hydroelectrolytic and acid-base disorders are quite prevalent in patients on the immediate postoperative of LT. Calcium, magnesium, albumin, lactate, and acidosis disorders are important and draw attention.