Controversies in anesthetic management of liver transplantation

Abstract

Controversies in the anesthetic management of liver transplantation (OLT) include the exclusion of patients with pulmonary hypertension, intracranial pressure monitoring in patients with fulminant hepatic failure, preoperative screening for coronary artery disease, perioperative use of anticoagulant medications, and early extubation after surgery. This manuscript discusses these controversies from the perspective of two institutions that possess a long tradition of providing liver transplantations for patients with end-stage liver disease. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.