Hepatic capacitance responses to changes in flow and hepatic venous pressure in dogs

The effect of changes in inflow and hepatic venous pressure (Phv) on the hepatic vascular bed was studied in denervated, pump-perfused canine livers. Hepatic arterial, portal venous, and hepatic venous pressures and flows were continuously monitored as was the hepatic venous hematocrit (Hct). The hepatic venous outflow, which averaged 1179 +/- 356 (SD) ml x min-1 x kg tissue-1 at control conditions, was controlled by a servosystem set to keep Phv at the desired level. Hepatic volume changes (delta V) were determined by integration of the difference between hepatic inflow (Fin) and outflow (Fhv). Over the range of Phv of 0-15 mmHg, the delta V-to-delta Phv ratio (apparent compliance C) was linear; C = 19.8 ml x mmHg-1 x kg tissue-1. These increases in Phv caused transient and plateau increases in Hct of 1.26 and 0.42%/mmHg, respectively. Varying inflow over the range of 0-156% of control by changing hepatic arterial and/or portal venous flow(s) resulted in delta V of 0.066 ml/kg per ml x min-1 x kg tissue-1 change in flow. We conclude that changes in Fin as well as changes in Phv cause changes in liver volume; and that a significant fraction of the volume shift accompanying changes in Phv is due to transsinusoidal plasma movement.