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Early recognition of hepatic function during initial graft reperfusion is important in beginning hepatic support perfusions as well as in liver transplantation. We hypothesized that both hemodynamic and metabolic perfusion variables obtained immediately after reperfusion predict eventual function during liver support or transplantation. Specific hemodynamic variables, i.e., portal vein pressure and hepatic vascular resistance, as well as metabolic variables, i.e., O2consumption and PCO2gradients, were compared with indices of hepatic function and damage, i.e., aqueous bile production, bile lipid outputs, lactate dehydrogenase levels, and histopathology, during an ex vivosupport perfusion. O2consumption during early reperfusion correlated directly with unstimulated bile flows (P< 0.02) and histopathology scores (P< 0.05). Hepatic venous PCO2gradients correlated inversely with unstimulated bile flows (P< 0.05). Hemodynamic variables, i.e., portal vein pressure and hepatic vascular resistance, were inversely related with taurocholate-stimulated bile flows (P< 0.05). Hemodynamic and metabolic variables of early reperfusion are useful parameters in predicting eventual effectiveness of the harvested liver for ex vivohepatic support perfusions.