Transaminase levels predict survival after liver cancer surgery

Changes in perioperative serum transaminase levels, specifically aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, were found to predict long-term survival following liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. A murine model demonstrated that hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury led to increased tumor recurrence. Analyzing the ratio of aspartate to alanine aminotransferase on postoperative days one and three may help identify patients at higher risk of recurrence and mortality, thus potentially guiding postoperative management and patient counseling.