Changes in Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in Dogs

Orthotopic liver transplantation was done using the heparinized hydrophilic catheter-bypass method in mongrel dogs. Four dogs survived for 6-8 days without the use of immunosuppressive drugs and 7 dogs survived for 4-67 days with the use of Ciclosporin. Postoperative changes in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were measured in both the control group and the Ciclosporin group. Antithrombin III, α2-plasmin inhibitor, fibrinogen and plasminogen decreased after liver transplantation and reached the lowest point in 6-24 hours, then gradually increased. The activities of prothrombin time, Thrombotest and Hepaplastintest also decreased, but the activities of long survival group increased after 2-3 days. It was found that the measurement of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis was good parameters for hepatic function or rejection. Hepatotoxicity of Ciclosporin was suggested by the decrease of Hepaplastintest in the Ciclosporin group.