Effects of prostaglandin E1 infused via the superior mesenteric artery on partially resected, dearterialized canine liver.

This study was performed to determine whether the infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) via the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) lessens hypoxic hepatic injury in beagle dogs subjected to major hepatectomy and dearterialization. Changes in systemic and hepatic hemodynamics by infusion of PGE1 were measured in intact and dearterialized dogs. The effects of infusion at 0.02 microg/kg/min were also studied in dogs that underwent resection of 55% of the liver and complete dearterialization. PGE1 infusion significantly increased portal vein flow and hepatic oxygen delivery. Hepatic dearterialization remarkably decreased delivery, but infusion at 0.02 microg/kg/min significantly restored it to 88% of the pre-dearterialized value. In hepatectomized animals, complete dearterialization provoked fatal hepatic damage, but infusion remarkably improved hepatic parenchymal and non-parenchymal injury. PGE1 through SMA might be useful for patients who have undergone major hepatectomy and combined arterial resection without reconstruction.