Acute and Critical Care

Original Articles

Surgery
Feasibility and accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring in surgical intensive care unit patients: a single-center pilot study in South Korea: Hyojun Park, Eunmi Gil, Joon Ho Lee, Chi-Min Park; Acute Crit Care. 2026;41(2):378-386. Published online March 27, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004975

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology offers potential advantages over intermittent point-of-care testing in critically ill patients by providing real-time glucose trends and automated alerts. However, its accuracy and feasibility in intensive care settings require validation before widespread implementation.
Methods
We conducted a single-center observational pilot study, evaluating CGM feasibility in 11 surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients, including nine post–liver transplant recipients. The G6 CGM system was applied for continuous monitoring. CGM readings were paired with point-of-care glucose measurements for accuracy assessment. Performance metrics included the mean absolute relative difference (MARD), bias, standard deviation of relative differences (SDRD), Surveillance Error Grid (SEG) analysis, and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15197:2013 criteria compliance.
Results
During a median monitoring period of 5 days (interquartile range [IQR], 3–9), we analyzed 326 paired glucose measurements. CGM demonstrated acceptable accuracy, with a MARD of 13.5% (95% CI, 11.43%–15.76%), bias of 2.79% (95% CI, –2.48 to 7.27%), and SDRD of 18.69% (95% CI, 13.75%–23.65%). SEG analysis confirmed 99.1% of readings were in clinically acceptable zones A and B. ISO 15197:2013 criteria showed 62.9% of measurements were within ±15 mg/dl or ±15%. The median patient-level mean glucose was 199.0 mg/dl (IQR, 162.0–248.0), reflecting substantial hyperglycemic exposure in patients receiving high-dose methylprednisolone despite protocolized insulin therapy targeting a range of 140–180 mg/dl.
Conclusions
CGM was feasible and acceptably accurate in ICU patients. Persistent hyperglycemia despite protocolized care indicates that CGM-derived data may help to identify opportunities for future protocol improvement. Its potential impact on the time-in-target range, hypoglycemia, and clinical outcomes should be evaluated in future multicenter studies.

Nephrology
The Association of Preoperative Body Mass Index with Acute Kidney Injury in Liver Transplantation Recipients: A Retrospective Study: Ju Yeon Park, Jung-Hyun Park, Su Sung Lee, Hyun-Su Ri, Hye-jin Kim, Yun Mi Choi, Yoon Ji Choi, Ji-Uk Yoon; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2017;32(3):265-274. Published online August 31, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2017.00178

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3 Web of Science
2 Crossref

Background
Liver transplantation (LT) is a complicated procedure with a high incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Previous studies indicate that even transient or mild post-LT AKI can result in critical conditions, including prolonged stays in hospitals and intensive care units and increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and occurrence of AKI in LT recipients. Methods: Medical data from 203 patients who received LT surgery from January 2010 to August 2016 in a single university hospital setting were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients were classified as either underweight (BMI <20 kg/m²) or normal weight (20 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m²). Demographic data, anesthetic methods, complications, and perioperative laboratory test values of each patient were assessed. Propensity analyses and logistic regression were performed to evaluate the association between BMI and post-LT AKI. Results: There was no significant difference in occurrence of post-LT AKI between underweight and normal weight patients. The underweight patient group had significantly longer hospital stay compared with the normal weight patient group (P = 0.023). Conclusions: BMI classification was neither a positive nor negative predictor of postoperative AKI occurrence. However, patients with lower BMI had significantly longer hospital stay compared with their counterparts. Although our study was limited by its retrospective design, our observations suggest that lower BMI might play a role in post-LT AKI.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Association of Body Mass Index and Acute Kidney Injury Incidence and Outcome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jiarong Lan, Guangxing Xu, Yongfu Zhu, Congze Lin, Ziyou Yan, Sisi Shao
Journal of Renal Nutrition.2023; 33(3): 397. CrossRef
Association of overweight with postoperative acute kidney injury among patients receiving orthotopic liver transplantation: an observational cohort study
Jian Zhou, Lin Lyu, Lin Zhu, Yongxin Liang, He Dong, Haichen Chu
BMC Nephrology.2020;[Epub] CrossRef

Case Reports

Neurology/Liver
Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus following Liver Transplantation: Bora Lee, Nar Hyun Min, Sung Yeon Ham, Sungwon Na, Jeongmin Kim; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2016;31(1):49-53. Published online February 29, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2016.31.1.49

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Abstract

Neurological complications following liver transplantation are more common than after other organ transplants. These complications include seizure in about 8% of cases, which is associated with morbidity and mortality. Seizure should be treated immediately, and the process of differential diagnosis has to be performed appropriately in order to avoid permanent neurologic deficit. We herein report a case of status epilepticus after liver transplantation. The status epilepticus was treated promptly and the cause of seizure was assessed. The patient was discharged without any complication.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Neurological Complications After Pediatric Liver and Kidney Transplantation: A Comprehensive Review of Acute Symptomatic Seizures
Semash Konstantin, Dzhanbekov Timur, Nasirov Mansur, Umarov Bakhtiyorjon, Qambarov Navruz, Khamdamov Bakhtiyor
Pediatric Transplantation.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Early postoperative seizures in liver and kidney recipients
O. M. Tsirulnikova, A. V. Syrkina, I. A. Miloserdov, I. E. Pashkova, S. Yu. Oleshkevich, I. B. Komarova
Russian Journal of Transplantology and Artificial Organs.2021; 23(2): 158. CrossRef

Neurology/Liver
Fixed Pupillary Light Reflex due to Peripheral Neuropathy after Liver Transplantation: Kwan Hyung Kim, Namo Kim, Sungwon Na, Jaewon Jang, Jeongmin Kim; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2015;30(3):191-195. Published online August 31, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2015.30.3.191

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Abstract PDF: A 46- year-old female patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after liver transplantation. About an hour later after the ICU admission, she had no pupillary light reflex. Both pupils were also fixed at 5 mm. Patients who undergo liver transplantation are susceptible to neurologic disorders including hepatic encephalopathy, thromboembolism and intracranial hemorrhage. Abnormal pupillary light reflex usually indicates a serious neurologic emergency in these patients; however, benign neurologic disorders such as peripheral autonomic neuropathy or Holmes-Adie syndrome should also be considered. We experienced a case of fixed pupillary light reflex after liver transplantation diagnosed as peripheral autonomic neuropathy.

Intraoperative Fluid Management in Combined Liver-Kidney Transplantation: Jong Hae Kim, Bo Reum Lim, Jin Yong Jung; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2013;28(4):309-313.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2013.28.4.309

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1 Crossref

Abstract PDF

A review of the literature regarding combined liver-kidney transplantation (CLKT) does not provide adequate central venous pressure (CVP) values that would allow for unimpaired hepatic venous outflow and early renal allograft diuresis during the procedure. We report a case of fluid management of CLKT based on the limited literature available in a 59-year-old male with liver cirrhosis and end-stage renal disease. During the preanhepatic phase, CVP was maintained at 5 mmHg. Following portal vein clamping, CVP was reduced to below 5 mmHg until venovenous bypass was initiated. From the neohepatic phase to 1 hour before renal allograft reperfusion, CVP was slowly increased to 10 mmHg. Within an hour before renal allograft reperfusion, maximal crystalloid hydration was used to increase CVP to 15 mmHg. The urine output was replaced to maintain CVP at 8 to 10 mmHg until the end of the surgery. The postoperative course was uneventful. In conclusion, fluid management tailored to each phase yielded beneficial results in a patient with CLKT.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Combined liver and kidney transplantation: Our experience and review of literature
KusumaRamachandra Halemani, N Bhadrinath
Indian Journal of Anaesthesia.2017; 61(1): 68. CrossRef

Original Articles

Evaluating the Relationship between the Scoring Systems of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and the Duration of Mechanical Ventilation after Liver Transplantation: Jeong Eun Kim, Sang Hoon Lee, Jong Ho Choi; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2009;24(2):69-74.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2009.24.2.69

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Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Postoperative mechanical ventilation in liver transplant patient has an important role for reducing respiratory complications and multi-organ failure in intensive care unit (ICU). Yet there are no specific indications for predicting the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation. Thus, we evaluated the correlation between the duration of mechanical ventilation and scoring systems such as the Acute Physiology and Chronic health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and the risk index.
METHODS
We retrospectively studied 183 patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation and we divided them into three groups based on the duration of mechanical ventilation: Group 1: <8 hr, Group 2: 8-12 hr and Group 3: >12 hr. We analyzed the correlation coefficients among the duration of mechanical ventilation, the risk index, and the SOFA, APACHE II and MELD scores.
RESULTS
The MELD and preoperative SOFA scores were significantly higher in group 3 (p = 0.003, p = 0.027). The MELD and SOFA scores were correlated with the duration of mechanical ventilation for all the patients (correlation coefficient = 0.22, 0.20, p = 0.003, 0.007, respectively). Yet the APACHE II score shows no correlation.
CONCLUSIONS
We found that the MELD and SOFA scores were correlated with the duration of mechanical ventilation in liver transplant patients. Thus, these scoring systems may be useful to determine the duration of mechanical ventilation.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in Liver Transplant Recipients : A Matched Control Study: Ji Yeon Jeong, Sunghwan Kim, Sung Sim Bae, Chul Woo Jung, Kook Hyun Lee; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2006;21(2):95-100.

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Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Despite improvements in surgical technique and immunosuppression, infection following liver transplantation (LT) remains a significant problem. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcuscus (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become important nosocomial pathogens. This study was undertaken in attempt to evaluate clinical impact of VRE and MRSA in LT recipients.
METHODS
LT recipients with VRE or MRSA colonization from 2001 to 2004 were identified and matched (age, gender, United Network for Organ Sharing status, liver disease, and transplant date) to control groups without MRSA or VRE colonization. Demographics, clinical factors, length of stay, duration of the use of the mechanical ventilator, complications and survival rates were compared with matched controls.
RESULTS
Eleven patients were colonized by VRE (4.7%) and thirty patients by MRSA (13%). The common sites of VRE culture included the tip of the urinary catheter and urine. The VRE colonized group experienced more biliary complications, relaparotomies, longer length of stay at ICU and ward, and longer use of the mechanical ventilator. One year survival rate was lower in the VRE group. MRSA was commonly cultured from sputum, tip of the central venous catheter or intraarterial catheter, and blood. The MRSA group experienced more relaparotomies, pneumonia, longer stay at ICU and ward, and longer use of mechanical ventilator compared to the control. One year survival rate was lower in the MRSA group. Rejection was not associated with VRE or MRSA infection.
CONCLUSIONS
VRE or MRSA colonization is associated with higher incidence of posttransplant complications and lower survival rate than LT recipients without VRE or MRSA colonization. The patients with VRE or MRSA colonization also utilized more hospital resources.

Perioperative Intensive Care for Liver Transplantation: Shin Hwang, Dong Lak Choi, Cheol Soo Ahn, Dong Eun Park, Sun Hyung Joo, Jang Yong Jeon, Kyeong Mo Kim, Yang Won Nah, Kwang Min Park, Young Joo Lee, Sung Gyu Lee; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2001;16(1):5-10.

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Abstract PDF: Many liver recipients have required intensive care, which is individualized and customized to each recipient. Prerequisites qualifying this care are wide comprehension of characteristics of end-stage liver disease and mechanisms of surgical procedures and immunologic knowledge. We present our principles of intensive care and experience from more than 300 cases of liver transplantation. There are roughly two types of liver transplantation, cadaveric and living-donor. These two types are different in their postoperative courses as following; severity of preservation injury, graft-size matching and morphologic liver regeneration and risk of vascular and biliary complications. Intensive care for liver recipients should be directed toward preventive and protective care along reasonable prediction of its clinical course. We described our experience about following subjects: management of hepatorenal syndrome, fulminant hepatic failure, acute renal failure, pneumonia, disturbance of consciousness, prophylaxis of viral hepatitis B, tumor recurrence, use of antibiotics, induction of liver function recovery, maintenance of vital signs, electrolyte balance, diet and infection control, nutritional support. The most important factor is the state of transplanted liver graft in determination of posttransplant course. If the graft functions well, many problems will be solved spontaneously. If not, intensive care will be required. Most of operative complications are related to the surgery itself, so that comprehension to surgical procedures to each recipient should be preceded for early detection and proper management. To achieve a favorable posttransplant course, all factors including maintenance of vital signs, elimination of obstacles to hepatic recovery, appropriate immunosuppression and solution of surgical complications should be met altogether. Of course, every member of liver transplantation team should pay durable attention and dedication to each liver recipient.

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