[Liver function tests in a clinical comparison].

Abstract

Various liver function tests were evaluated in regard to a quantitative estimation of the impairment of liver function related to the Child-Pugh classification in 32 patients with cirrhosis. Only the ICG-test revealed significant differences between healthy subjects and cirrhotic patients in stadium Child A, B and C. When ICG-dye retention values were plotted as a function of the individual score units of the Child-Pugh classification, a linear relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.7 was obtained. In contrast to the ICG-test, the MEGX- and galactose elimination capacity (GEC)-test as well as static parameters of liver function (cholinesterase activity, prealbumin concentration, coagulation factor V and VII) resulted in less significant differentiation of the various Child classes. The MEGX-test, GEC, concentration of prealbumin, coagulation factor V and VII were only weakly correlated to the score units of the Child-Pugh index. The results of this study indicate that of all evaluated parameters only the ICG-test is suitable for objective and graduated analysis of liver function in patients with cirrhosis.