• Hemodynamics [ Time Frame: From pre-operative period till discharged from hospital ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score [ Time Frame: From pre-operative period till discharged from hospital ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score [ Time Frame: From pre-operative period till discharged from hospital ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

End-stage liver disease is one of the major diseases leading to death. With advancement of transplantation surgery and perioperative anesthesia management, liver transplantation has become an effective method to recover patients' liver function, thus saving their lives and improving their quality of life. Serious disorders of fluid balance, such as blood coagulation dysfunction, electrolyte disequilibrium, hypoalbuminaemia, low hematocrit, low hemoglobin and acid-base imbalance etc. exist in end stage cirrhosis patients with liver transplantation. Such abnormalities in the internal milieu could cause or worsen cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction, thus making perioperative management more difficult.

Albumin and blood plasma are conventionally used as plasma volume expanders in clinical practice. At the same time, the level of albumin concentration is also used as an important criterion of prognosis. When the level of albumin concentration in serum is below 35 g/L, postoperative mortality rates and complications will increase significantly. In fact, it has been the focus of debate for many years whether albumin should be used for volume replacement in critically ill patients. Boldt and his colleagues demonstrated that albumin has little positive influence on the prognosis of critically ill patients. However, Shwe deemed albumin beneficial to critically ill patients. Simon suggested that albumin is given mainly for treating hypovolemia instead of increasing the level of albumin concentration in serum. However, at the same time, he admitted there is no advantages of albumin in comparison to other colloid solutions and, furthermore, it is more expensive.

Voluven (130/0.4) is a medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch (HES) produced by Beijing Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. It is a novel HES preparation with optimized molecular weight and molecule distribution, has a lower degree of substitution (DS) (0.4), and a narrower molecular distribution profile (C2/C6) than other available HES specifications which make it more suitable for volume replacement therapy. Some studies have revealed that Voluven (130/0.4) has a comparable efficacy with HAES-steril (average molecular weight 200.000 dalton, degree of substitution 0.5). Because of its improved pharmacological profile, Voluven (130/0.4) is used to avoid capillary vessel leakage and improve oxygenation of tissues. In addition, Voluven (130/0.4) does not accumulate in plasma or tissues even after multiple dosing (maximal dose 50 ml/kg), and has an improved HES safety profile in terms of coagulation and kidney function.

The current study is designed to assess the efficacy, safety, and pharmaceutical economics characteristic of perioperative volume replacement with Voluven (130/0.4) in patients undergoing liver transplantation compared with patients who received volume therapy with albumin. The objective of this study is to supply appropriate regimens for patients undergoing liver transplantation, considering clinical efficacy, safety, and costs.