BACKGROUND: Marked changes in systemic hemodynamics during liver transplantation may lead to changes in cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) may help the anesthetic management of liver transplantation.

METHODS: We observed changes in SjvO2 using a double lumen oximetry catheter for continuous monitoring and analyzed the correlation between SjvO2 and hemodynamic measurements in thirty patients undergoing liver transplantation.

RESULTS: There were no significant changes in SjvO2 compared to initial SjvO2 during liver transplantation. SjvO2, however, increased from 72.5 to 79.6 % (P < 0.05), before and after reperfusion. There was a weak correlation between changes in SjvO2 and cardiac output (r = 0.38, P < 0.05), whereas no correlation was found among changes in SjvO2 and arterial carbon dioxide tension, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, or mixed venous oxygen saturation before and after reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS: SjvO2 that reflects changes in cerebral oxygen demand-supply balance was well maintained during liver transplantation except the reperfusion period. Continuous monitoring of changes in SjvO2 at this period may provide further insight to understand physiology of cerebral oxygenation during liver transplantation and merits further studies.