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.
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.
Authors: D Festi; S Capodicasa; L Sandri; L Colaiocco-Ferrante; T Staniscia; E Vitacolonna; A Vestito; P Simoni; G Mazzella; P Portincasa; E Roda; A Colecchia Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2005-01-07 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Anna Kasicka-Jonderko; Anna Nita; Krzysztof Jonderko; Magdalena Kamińska; Barbara Błońska-Fajfrowska Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2011-12-07 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Claus G Krenn; Herwig Pokorny; Klaus Hoerauf; Josef Stark; Erich Roth; Heinz Steltzer; Wilfred Druml Journal: Wien Klin Wochenschr Date: 2008 Impact factor: 1.704