Decrease in hepatic blood flow during furosemide-induced diuresis.

The effect of furosemide on hepatic hemodynamics was investigated using electromagnetic flow probes positioned around the hepatic-portal vein and common hepatic artery of anesthetized dogs. Furosemide administration induced a vigorous diuresis and concomitantly decreased total hepatic blood flow. Hepatic arterial blood remained relatively stable. Thus, the decrease in total hepatic blood flow was due primarily to a decrease in portal blood flow. When furosemide was given to animals with ureters ligated to prevent extracellular volume contraction, the drug did not reduce total hepatic blood flow, portal blood flow or hepatic arterial blood flow. Thus, furosemide induces a decrease in total hepatic blood flow that appears to involve a mechanism dependent upon the volume contraction produced by the diuretic. The contraction causes a reduction in venous blood flow but not arterial blood flow to the liver.