Background: Percutaneous hepatic melphalan perfusion (PHMP) for the selective treatment of hepatic metastases is known to be associated with procedural hypotension and coagulation disorders. Studies on anesthetic management, perioperative course, complications, and postoperative recovery in the intensive care unit (ICU) have not been published.
Methods: In a retrospective observational study, we analyzed consecutive patients who were admitted for PHMP over a 6-year period (2016-2021). Analyses included demographic, treatment, and outcome data with regard to short-term complications until ICU discharge.
Results: Fifty-three PHMP procedures of 16 patients were analyzed. In all of the cases, procedure-related hypotension required the median (range) highest noradrenaline infusion rate of 0.5 (0.17-2.1) μg kg min-1 and fluid resuscitation volume of 5 (3-14) liters. Eighty-four PHMP-related complications were observed in 33 cases (62%), of which 9 cases (27%) involved grade III and IV complications. Complications included airway constriction (requiring difficult airway management), vascular catheterization issues (which resulted in the premature termination of PHMP, as well as to the postponement of PHMP and to the performance of endovascular bleeding control after PHMP), and renal failure that required hemodialysis. Discharge from the ICU was possible after one day in most cases (n = 45; 85%); however, in 12 cases (23%), prolonged mechanical ventilation was required. There were no procedure-related fatalities.
Conclusions: PHMP is frequently associated with challenging cardiovascular conditions and complications that require profound anesthetic skills. For safety reasons, PHMP should only be performed in specialized centers that provide high-level hospital infrastructures and interdisciplinary expertise.