The prognostic role of aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index on outcomes after nonemergent major hepatectomy

Introduction: Noninvasive screening methods to identify patients preoperatively with abnormal liver texture remain limited. Aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index has been validated to predict fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C; however, its use as a predictor of postoperative outcomes in patients without viral hepatitis remains unknown. Methods: We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset to identify patients who underwent a major hepatectomy between 2014 and 2021. We excluded patients who underwent emergent operations, patients with viral hepatitis, and patients with ascites. Aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index was calculated using the following equation: (aspartate transaminase/40)/(platelet count) × 100. An aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index ≥0.7 was used to identify patients with significant fibrosis. Univariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index ≥0.7, perioperative transfusion, serious morbidity, overall morbidity, and 30-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify adjusted predictors of these outcomes. Results: Of the 8,933 patients who met inclusion criteria, 1,170 (13.1%) patients had an aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index ≥0.7. A perioperative blood transfusion was administered to 2,497 (28.0%). The number of patients who experienced overall morbidity, serious morbidity, and mortality were 3,195 (35.8%), 2,665 (29.8%), and 238 (2.7%), respectively. Aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index ≥0.7 was an independent predictor of transfusion (odds ratio: 1.51 [1.32–1.72], P < .001), overall morbidity (1.16 [1.01–1.33], P = .032), and mortality (1.56 [1.12–2.13], P = .006). Transfusion was an independent predictor of overall morbidity (2.50 [2.26–2.76], P < .001), serious morbidity (2.51 [2.26–2.79], P < .001), and mortality (3.28 [2.49–4.33], P < .001). Conclusion: An aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index ≥0.7 is associated with perioperative transfusion, overall morbidity, and 30-day mortality. The aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index may serve as a noninvasive tool to risk stratify patients before elective major hepatectomy.