Risk factors of the post-reperfusion syndrome during orthotopic liver transplantation: a clinical observational study

BACKGROUND: Post reperfusion syndrome (PRS) is a relatively common and life-threatening complication during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). It is associated with poor patient and transplanted liver outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the risk factors of PRS during OLT. DESIGN: Clinical-epidemiological observational retrospective study. SETTING: We gathered the records of patients who underwent OLT in 3 years, from May 22, 2016, to May 22, 2019, in Namazi and Bu-Ali Sina organ transplantation hospitals. PATIENTS: In this study, we assessed 1182 patients who underwent OLT. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of PRS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosing the predictors of PRS was the primary outcome of this study. RESULTS: Results showed that age > 60 years, Child-Pugh scores C, higher Model End Stage liver disease score, and preoperative sodium < 130 mmol/l (parameters of the liver recipient), increase in cold ischemic time (the donors’ parameters), and the classical technique (the surgical parameters) were the strong predictors of PRS. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that underlying liver disease was not the predictor of PRS in the presence of other risk factors; therefore, clinicians have to consider these risk factors in patients undergoing OLT. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-022-01635-3.