[Changes in portal circulation in experimental prehepatic portal hypertension]

In a long-term experiment on dogs the lumen of the portal vein was reduced to one fifth by insertion of a metal spiral. The thus created disorder of the portal circulation was succeeded by the development of abundant hepatofugal collaterals and the development of mild portal overpressure without clinical manifestations. The altered portal circulation was followed up by dynamic hepatobiliary scintigraphy for a period up to 12 months. It was revealed that the curve of isotope movement through the liver was altered in a way suggesting slower perfusion of the liver by portal blood. This observation resembles those in patients with prehapatic portal hypertension and their confirmation. The investigation is documented by morphological, X-ray and isotope methods.