Early recovery of albumin synthesis after liver transplantation.
The delay necessary for an orthotopic transplanted liver to recover in normal activity has never been defined. This is of great importance whenever liver transplantation is considered in patients with severe liver insufficiency. This delay was studied in dogs using albumin synthesis and BSP clearance as tests of liver function. Albumin synthesis was normal as early as 2 h following graft revascularization while BSP clearance was not yet normal by this time. It is suggested that transplanted livers will be rapidly able to corect metabolic disorders and above all coagulation problems in patients with terminal hepatic failure.