Deterioration of the liver function after open heart surgery

This is a study of the frequency and causes of liver dysfunction in patients in the early postoperative period after heart surgery. 120 (18%) out of 663 operated patients developed early postoperative liver dysfunction. Complications are strongly related to type of surgical treatment. Liver dysfunction occurred much more often after operations on several valves or combined operations, including surgery on the heart valves and myocardial revascularization. Five major reasons for postoperative liver dysfunction are identified: prolonged preoperative hypoxia, operative trauma and prolonged hypoxia during surgical procedure, toxic effect of the medication, hepatitis in patients with risk factors, sepsis. Time of liver dysfunction development was related to type of cause.