Effect of ethanol on hepatic blood flow in unanesthetized dogs with chronic portal and hepatic vein catheterization.

A method of chronic portal and hepatic vein catheterization in the dog is described. Using this method, hepatic blood flow was measured by an indicator dilution technique and the effect of acute ethanol administration on hepatic blood flow was evaluated in unanesthetized dogs. Intravenous and intragastric ethanol administration (2.0 g.kg-1) resulted in a significant increase in hepatic blood flow. Splanchnic oxygen consumption was also increased following ethanol administration but this effect was offset by the rise in hepatic blood flow and the net result was an increase in hepatic vein oxygen content. These data demonstrate a significant effect of ethanol on hepatic blood flow but suggest that hepatic hypoxia does not occur following acute ethanol administration.