Use of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Assess Liver Steatosis

BackgroundThe shortage of donor livers has led to increased utilization of steatotic marginal livers. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) uses the principles of electric current flows through tissue, with less resistance offered if the water content is high and the opposite in the presence of fat. Our hypothesis was that liver steatosis would result in an increased resistance to current flow, and correlate with the degree of liver steatosis.MethodsBefore studying cadaveric donor livers for transplantation, this study was performed in patients undergoing liver resection. A total of 37 patients undergoing liver resection for cancer were analysed with BIA, using a handheld, specially calibrated Maltron BIA analyser (BioScan 915) with modified tertrapolar electrodes. These electrodes were applied to the liver surface and resistance was recorded. To validate the results of BIA, a liver biopsy was performed. Histopathology was graded quantitatively as no steatosis, mild, moderate, or severe steatosis according the percentage of fat as well as qualitatively by type of fat (micro and macrovesicular).ResultsBioelectric resistance showed a correlation with macroveiscular steatosis (P = .03).ConclusionBIA is a simple, noninvasive technique and its use should be explored in donor livers to assess steatosis.