Serum Albumin, Pseudocholinesterase, and Transaminases in the Assessment of Liver Function Before and After Venous Shunt Operations

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Abstract
This paper records biochemical and follow-up observations on 153 patients with cirrhosis who have had a shunt operation. The experience confirms that no shunt operation should be undertaken on a patient whose serum albumin level is less than 3·2g.%. Low pseudocholinesterase levels are of help diagnostically but the main value of this test is in indicating whether or not liver function will deteriorate after a shunt operation in any given patient.