Role of portasystemic shunts in the hyperkinetic circulation of the portal hypertensive rat.
We evaluated the role of portasystemic shunts in the hyperkinetic circulatory state in rats with portal hypertension. Cardiac output and regional blood flow were measured by the radioactive microsphere technique in rats with portal hypertension caused by portal vein stenosis, in rats with end-to-side portacaval shunts, and in sham-operated rats. Cardiac output was significantly higher in rats with surgical shunts than in those of the two other groups and was significantly lower in sham-operated rats compared with portal hypertensive rats. Portal tributary blood flow and hepatic arterial blood flow expressed in absolute flow as well as in percentage of cardiac output were significantly increased in rats with surgical shunts compared with other groups. These blood flows were also significantly higher in portal hypertensive rats than in sham-operated animals. A significant correlation was found between cardiac output and portal tributary blood flow in rats with portal vein stenosis and in rats with surgical shunts; this correlation was absent in sham-operated rats. This study shows that the hyperkinetic circulatory state in rats with portal hypertension and a normal liver is related to the presence of portasystemic shunts but not to portal hypertension per se.
D000818:Animals; D002302:Cardiac Output; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D011167:Portacaval Shunt, Surgical; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation