Renal Circulation in Cirrhosis: Observations Based on Catheterization of the Renal Vein*

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Abstract
Studies of the renal circulation were carried out in 23 patients with cirrhosis and varying degrees of hepatic decompensation. Those with relatively resistant ascites were found to have a disorder of the renal circulation characterized by a reduced renal plasma flow despite normal cardiac output, indicating diversion of a greater than normal proportion of the cardiac output to nonrenal areas. Increased total renal vascular resistance in this group of patients suggested renal vasoconstriction as the cause of the diminished renal plasma flow.