HEPATIC WEDGE PRESSURE, BLOOD FLOW, VASCULAR RESISTANCE AND OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN CIRRHOSIS BEFORE AND AFTER END-TO-SIDE PORTACAVAL SHUNT12

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Abstract
Wedged hepatic venous pressure, hepatic blood flow, hepatic O2 consumption and a value approximating hepatic vascular resistance were measured during hepatic vein catheterization before and following an end-to-side portacaval shunt in 10 cirrhotic patients. Hepatic blood flow was decreased 46% postoperatively and this may closely approximate the portal component of the total hepatic blood flow preoperatively. Wedged pressure fell 38% after the shunt, but was still above normal. The calculated vascular resistance was essentially unchanged after surgery. Although the arterial-hepatic venous O2 difference increased, the hepatic O2 consumption was not changed postoperatively. In spite of the large drop in blood flow, the ordinary hepatic function tests were not significantly altered except during the immediate postoperative period.