The effects of arterialisation of the portal stump on liver function and hepatic haemodynamics in cirrhotic rats with a portacaval shunt.

Liver blood flow (xenon-133 clearance method) and wedged hepatic venous pressure were studied in cirrhotic rats immediately after and 3 weeks following portacaval shunting (PCS), PCS and arterialisation of the portal stump with the left gastric artery (PCS-ART) or sham operation. Liver weight and function were compared 3 weeks after operation. Liver blood flow and wedged hepatic venous pressure were significantly reduced immediately after and 3 weeks following PCS. PCS-ART maintained liver blood flow and wedged hepatic venous pressure within the pre-operative range and prevented the liver atrophy and deterioration in liver function observed in rats with PCS. The results suggest that arterialisation of the portal vein with an artery which does not significantly increase sinusoidal pressure may be of benefit in preventing the early undersirable sequelae of PCS in man.