[Isotopic radioangiography in hepatic cirrhosis. Changes induced by somatostatin]

The value of first step isotopic angiography (FSIA) with 99-TC in the study of altered liver kidney and spleen circulation in patients with liver cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis is analyzed. This technique is used to evaluate the effect of a 250 mcg IV bolus of somatostatin on the activity/time curve at the three circulatory levels. The ratio of basal hepatic artery/portal flow in cirrhotics was 59 + 11/41 + 11% and 39 + 6/61 + 4 in alcoholic hepatitis, significantly different from normal controls (p less than 0.001). In cirrhotics the degree of alteration in FSIA correlated with the severity of liver disease. Somatostatin significantly improved the ratio of basel hepatic artery/portal flow and diminished the pressure at the root of suprahepatic veins (18.5 +/- - v.s. 16 +/- mmHg, p greater than 0.001). Neither the slopes nor the time of maximum isotopic activity of renal and splenic activity/time curves were modified. We concluded highlighting the clinical value of FSIA as a non invasive test in the study of chronic liver diseases.