Effect of portacaval transposition on hepatic function in dogs with obstruction to the hepatic venous outflow

Complete hepatic venous outflow obstruction (COB) in dogs resulted in impairment of hepatic function and cellular injury. Thus both the serum albumin concentration and the plasma clearance of indocyanine green (ICG) were reduced, whilst serum glycoproteins, aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase levels were increased. Partial outflow block (POB)resulted in less severe functional changes although a significant decrease in serum albumin was also observed. The changes in liver function in dogs with portacaval transposition (PCT) and COB were generally similar to those in dogs with COB alone. However, the increases in serum enzyme activities and the decrease in plasma clearance of ICG were greater in the group with PCT. A late improvement in the clearance of ICG in dogs with COB and PCT was probably related to retrograde portal flow. When the hepatic lesion was only moderate (POB) PCT had little effect on either the liver function tests or plasma clearance of ICG, although no improvement in function was observed. It is concluded that PCT has no beneficial effect on dogs with either severe or moderate hepatic lesion and may cause further functional deterioration.