[Arterialization of the portal blood with a new model of flow diversion: an experimental study]

Arterialization of the portal blood with double shunts, cavo-mesenteric venous and femoro-femoral arterio-venous, was attempted in dogs. The experimental model was studied in three groups. Group-I was concerned with the condition immediately after establishment of the model. Group-II-A was referred to the study on the established model with hepatic artery ligation for seven days. Group-II-B was evaluated under hepatic artery ligation and absent participation in arterialization and shunts. The ratio of portal venous flow (PVF) to cardiac output (CO) in group-I revealed significant increase from 23 +/- 6% to 56 +/- 9% (p less than 0.01). Portal venous PO2 (PVO2) also increased from 48 +/- 7 mmHg to 65 +/- 9 mmHg (p less than 0.01). Portal venous pressure, however, remained below 200 mmH2O. Persistent increase of CO (150% of the control) and PVF/CO were seen in observation of group-II-A. Histopathological appearance of the liver was normal in group-II-A. Group-II-B revealed a high mortality rate (8/9) with necrosis of the liver by seventh postoperative day. The experimental model provides the useful flow diversion with arterialized blood to the portal flow. The arterialization of the portal flow may play an important role in the recovery of the ischemic liver cell in the preservation of the liver graft and in hepatic regeneration after extended resection.