Arterialization of the liver after portacaval shunt in the rabbit.

Arterialization of the hepatic end of the portal vein after portacaval shunt was studied in the rabbit in order to evaluate clinical, metabolic, and histologic modifications compared with portacaval shunt alone. The mortality rate of arterialized rabbits diminished considerably at the 45th postoperative day, preoperative body weight was regained and there was significant liver weight/body weight ratio difference with both sham operated and portacaval shunted rabbits (p less than or equal to 0.001). Furthermore, after arterialization, clinical examination, laboratory liver function tests and pathological studies were all near normal. Arterialization after portacaval shunt appears to be safe when flow through the arterioportal anastomosis is low.