The significance of serum mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase activity in the surgical field.

A study was carried out on the clinical significance of changes in the serum level of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase before and after surgery on patients suffering from various hepato-biliary diseases. The patients included those whose livers were impaired with cirrhosis, jaundice, or direct surgical intervention such as hepatectomy. It was found that the postoperative liver function of patients whose preoperative values of serum mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase had been less than 10 Karmen units recovered with a favorable course, whereas that of patients whose values had exceeded 20 units deteriorated with persistent jaundice, ascites or hepatic insufficiency. Both the sensitivity and specificity of respective liver function tests were examined by the preoperative values of routine liver function tests and the postoperative liver functions. The results revealed the serum value of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase to be more sensitive than the other tests, while specificity was not significantly different. A safety limit for a favorable postoperative course in terms of liver function was observed in patients showing a preoperative serum mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase activity of below 10 units. Thus, serum mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase activity could be applied as a useful marker for hepato-biliary surgery.