Measurement of total hepatic blood flow and portal blood flow: evaluation of a method using the continuous perfusion of an indicator into mesenteric artery

An indicator readily removed from the circulation by the kidneys (Radio-hippuran) or by the lungs (radioactive Xenon Xe133) can be perfused at a constant rate in the superior mesenteric artery (S.M.A.) and, after stabilization samples can be obtained from right (R.H.V.) and a left (L.H.V.) hepatic vein, the portal vein (P.V.) and a peripheral artery (A.). Total hepatic (T .H.B.F.) and portal (P.B.F. ) venous blood flows can be calculated using Fick's formula and mean values (c.p.m./cc) of samples. Radio-hippuran was utilized in 13 dogs. When comparing blood flows (cc/min) measured from R.H.V. and L.H.V. samples, a mean difference of 33.5% was found between paired values