Esophageal varices produced in dogs

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Research
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Esophageal varices are a serious complication of portal hypertension.
• Previous methods for creating animal models have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reproducible canine model of esophageal varices.
• To investigate the role of hyperdynamic flow in variceal formation.

Main Methods:

• Created an arteriovenous shunt between the left renal artery and splenic vein.
• Performed a distal splenorenal shunt.
• Constricted the splenic vein to induce a hyperdynamic state in the left gastric vein.

Main Results:

• Sixteen of twenty-eight dogs survived the initial surgery.
• Five of six dogs with functioning shunts and splenic vein constriction developed esophageal varices.
• Varices were confirmed endoscopically and histologically.

Conclusions:

• The described surgical procedure effectively creates esophageal varices in dogs.
• Hyperdynamic flow in the upper stomach is a key factor in the development of these varices.