Liver blood flow rate and glucose metabolism in hemorrhagic hypotension and shock.

Liver blood flow was measured in dogs using 133Xe clearance technique under control conditions and during various stages of hypotension and of hemorrhagic shock. Initial liver mean blood flow rate in all dogs combined are 101.9 +/- 11.5 ml/100 gm liver/min and was not significantly altered in the control group. Liver blood flow rate was reduced in the experimental group during hemorrhagic hypotension and shock and was correlated with the severity of the disease. Peripheral vasodilatation was observed in one subgroup of experimental animals while severe vasoconstriction was found in another subgroup. Glucose concentrations in the hepatic vein were significantly above that of arterial and portal venous blood; all experimental animals were hyperglycemic. The outflow of glucose from the liver was increased during shock in ten animals. It was, however, reduced in 17 animals.