Long-term biochemical and physiologic effects of surgically placed portacaval shunts in dogs

After surgical placement of end-to-side portacaval shunts (PCS), 4 adult mongrel dogs (11.8 to 18.2 kg) were fed purified diets and monitored for approximately 50 weeks for changes in body weight, neurologic status, and an array of clinically important biochemical variables. Two healthy dogs, fed the same diets and maintained in the same environment, were also observed (controls). Body weights were relatively stable over the period of observation. The branched-chain ratio ([valine] + [leucine] + [isoleucine]/[phenylalanine] + [tyrosine]), an index of the degree of change in plasma amino acid concentrations, was significantly lower in dogs with PCS than in controls. Despite this depression in branched-chain ratio, the principals (dogs with PCS) were essentially free of neurologic symptoms. Statistically significant decreases due to portacaval shunting were seen in the serum concentrations of glucose, calcium, urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, and albumin. Total protein, globulin, and triglyceride concentrations tended to be lower in the serum of principals than in serum of controls, but the differences were not statistically significant. Statistically significant increases due to portacaval shunting were seen in plasma concentrations of total conjugated bile acids and sulfobromophthalein retention. Concentrations of the following compounds tended to be higher in serum of principals than in serum of controls: phosphorus, chloride, uric acid, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase. Liver biopsy at 7 months after operation showed mild-to-extensive atrophy of hepatocytes, mild-to-extensive fibrosis, and collapsed portal veins in all principals examined.