VARIATIONS OF HEPATIC BLOOD-FLOW AFTER VARIOUS TYPES OF PORTAL DIVERSION IN THE RAT

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 7  (4) , 335-339
Abstract
The relationship between liver trophicity and early (24 h) or late (14 days) modifications of hepatic blood flow were studied in the rat after several types of portosystemic shunts (portacaval shunt, mesocaval shunt, portacaval transposition and arterialization of the portal vein after portacaval shunt). Twenty-four h after portacaval shunt, total hepatic blood flow decreased to 60% of the initial value and remained so during the following days. Within a week, liver atrophy occurred with a 60% decrease in the preoperative value of LW/BW [liver weight/body weight]. Fourteen days after operation, the hepatic blood flow per gram of liver was similar to that observed preoperatively. Whatever the type of shunt, there was a significant relationship between total hepatic blood flow and liver weight, 14 days after operation. Thus, after portal diversion, the quality of blood perfusing the liver has little importance upon the maintenance of liver trophicity. Hemodynamic factors are probably more important than hormonal (pancreatic) factors in the genesis of liver atrophy after end-to-side portacaval shunt.