COMPARISON OF NA-RICH AND K-RICH SOLUTIONS IN LIVER PRESERVATION FOR TRANSPLANTATION

The effect of Na and K contents of preservation solution on the viability of the liver was studied using rat transplant model. The liver was first flushed with Ringer's lactate and then flushed and immersed in the test solutions and wet weight was measured at 4 to 72 hours. The liver swelling was increased by replacing potassium for sodium, but the difference became progressively smaller by using large molecular anions. In transplant study, high K UW solution, and high Na UW solution was compared in 12 hr preservation. Animal survival rate is 3/10 in high K UW group, and 4/9 in high Na UW group, showing that replacing K for Na does not change the effectiveness of the preservation solution.