The liver, a vital organ responsible for numerous metabolic functions, can be significantly impacted by disease or surgical intervention. Accurate assessment of liver function is therefore crucial for patient management, particularly in the context of major liver surgery or critical care. Indocyanine Green (ICG), a fluorescent dye with a long history of medical use, has emerged as an invaluable tool for this purpose, offering a noninvasive and quantitative method to evaluate hepatic reserve and blood flow.

ICG's utility in liver function assessment stems from its unique pharmacokinetic properties. After intravenous administration, it rapidly binds to plasma proteins and is exclusively eliminated by the liver through biliary excretion. This liver-specific clearance pathway means that the rate at which ICG disappears from the bloodstream is directly proportional to the liver's functional capacity. The dye does not undergo hepatic metabolism, making it an exceptionally reliable marker for assessing liver health.

Clinically, two key parameters derived from ICG kinetics are used: the plasma disappearance rate (PDR) and the fractional retention at 15 minutes (R15). A faster PDR and a lower R15 generally indicate a healthy and well-functioning liver, capable of efficiently processing and eliminating the dye. Conversely, a slower PDR and a higher R15 suggest impaired liver function, which can be indicative of various liver diseases or a reduced hepatic reserve following surgery.

The preoperative assessment of liver function using ICG is critical for patients undergoing liver resection. By quantifying the liver's functional reserve, surgeons can predict the risk of postoperative hepatic failure, a potentially life-threatening complication. Studies have shown that parameters like ICG R15 can accurately predict liver dysfunction, guiding decisions on the extent of resection and helping to select appropriate candidates for surgery. This predictive capability enhances operative safety, particularly in patients with underlying liver conditions such as cirrhosis.

Beyond preoperative assessment, ICG also finds valuable intraoperative applications. Real-time measurements of ICG clearance during hepatectomy can help estimate the function of the future liver remnant, ensuring that a sufficient amount of healthy parenchyma is preserved to support the patient post-surgery. Furthermore, ICG-enhanced fluorescence imaging is being increasingly used to visualize liver tumors, identify their margins, and even detect small surface lesions that might otherwise be missed. This enhanced visualization assists surgeons in performing more precise resections and improving outcomes.

For healthcare professionals requiring a reliable source of Indocyanine Green for liver function tests and surgical guidance, NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD. provides high-quality ICG powder. Our commitment to purity and consistency ensures that medical practitioners have access to the essential diagnostic agent needed for accurate liver function assessment and improved patient care.

Keywords: Indocyanine Green | Liver Function Tests | Hepatic Reserve | Fluorescence Imaging | Surgical Assessment | NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD.