Arterialization of liver transplants in rats: I. Application of the tissue perfusion monitor in hemodynamic studies

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Abstract
This study demonstrates the use of the tissue perfusion monitor in the investigation of arterialization (using an arteriovenous fistula) of the heterotopic partial liver transplant. An index of peak perfusion rate was introduced as a reliable and accurate measure of the index of delivery rate of blood to the liver. Results revealed a significant (P <.01) difference between arterialized and nonarterialized liver grafts when compared with their respective recipient host livers. Arterialization of grafted livers raised the index of peak perfusion rate to levels that were comparable to host livers. Arterialization also had a significant effect (P <.01) on the host liver, whose values dropped by 74.26% when compared with the normal liver. Surprisingly, host values of the nonarterialized group fell by 61.54%. At this point, explanations for this phenomenon are speculatory. An extensive review of the literature exposes the variability in the observations of the role and usefulness of arterialization in hepatocellular function.