DETERMINATION OF THE HEPATIC ARTERIAL BLOOD FLOW AND OXYGEN SUPPLY IN MAN BY CLAMPING THE HEPATIC ARTERY DURING SURGERY

Abstract

The hepatic arterial blood flow was determined in 8 patients by an indirect method, based on measurement of hepatic blood flow (sulfobromophthalein-method) and oxygen content of arterial, portal venous and hepatic venous blood before and during clamping of the hepatic artery proper for about 20 minutes. On the average it was 35% of the hepatic blood flow, varying from 9 to 65%. The artery supplied averagely 50[degree]/b of the hepatic oxygen consumption, which remained constant during the clamping owing to a greater extraction of oxygen from the portal blood. The portal blood flow decreased insignificantly during the clamping. Averagely 30% of the splanchnic oxygen consumption was extra-hepatic. The arterial, portal venous and hepatic venous pressure was unaffected by the clamping. The hepatic extraction of sulfobromo-phthalein was increased, and there was no measurable release of transaminases from the liver during clamping of the hepatic artery, indicating that the liver function was not affected.