INVIVO USE OF HUMAN UMBILICAL VESSELS AND THE DUCTUS VENOSUS ARANTII

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • review article
    • Vol. 148  (4) , 595-610
Abstract
Clinical use of umbilical vessels in the neonate is commonplace. In the adult, surgical reopening of the umbilical vein is feasible in most patients, providing direct access to the portal circulation. Umbilical vein catheterization allows portal manometry in the intact, unanesthetized state. Prolonged catheterization served to facilitate physiologic and pharmacologic studies previously unavailable. Selective splanchnic catheterization with hepatoportography permits roentgenographic studies, important in the evaluation of patients with hepatobiliary diseases. Clincially, the umbilical vein was used to study portal hemodynamics, portal decompression and hemofiltration, portal arterialization and in evaluating hepatic trauma. This method of access to the portal circulation provided a route for study of the effects of drugs, hormones and other biologic materials on the portal circulation and for administration of antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents into the portal system. The procedure of umbilical vein catheterization is simple and repeated catheterization is possible. The ductus venosus, is not clinically usable and pertinent information is reviewed.

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