Objective  To evaluate the application value of ultrasound in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for protecting the liver donation after brain-cardiac death (DBCD).

  Methods  Forty patients with brain death or irreversible brain injury, admitted to Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command from April 2006 to November 2014, were eligible for liver donation. The hepatic artery blood flow (QHA), portal vein blood flow (QPV) and ECMO-induced ECMO flow of hepatic artery (VE) of the donor liver were monitored by ultrasound before, 5 min after the initiation of ECMO and immediately after ECMO. The changes of total bilirubin (TB), alanine transaminase (ALT) and lactic acid were observed at corresponding time points. Hepatic recovery was subsequently evaluated within 3 months after liver transplantation.

  Results  The mean time of ECMO was (1.0±0.2) h. There was no significant difference in QHA and QPV before and after ECMO (both in P>0.05). And there was no significant difference in liver function parameters before and after ECMO (all in P>0.05). At different time points within postoperative 3 months, the results of ultrasound evaluation and liver function test revealed that the transplant liver function was well recovered in 40 recipients.

  Conclusions  Through monitoring QHA by ultrasound, the best ECMO flow should be chosen, which protects DBCD liver and averts perfusion injury and hypoperfusion.