Liver size, bodyweight, and tolerance to acute complete occlusion of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between preoperative liver size, bodyweight, and tolerance to shunt occlusion in dogs with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt(s) (CPSS).


METHODS
Longitudinal cohort study.


METHODS
Dogs with CPSS (n=35).


METHODS
Ultrasonography was used to measure preoperative maximum transverse dimension of the liver (TS) of each dog. Intraoperative portal pressures were measured, before and after CPSS occlusion, via a jejunal vein catheter. Tolerance to shunt occlusion was judged on gross visceral observations, and on changes in portal pressure, central venous and mean arterial pressures.


RESULTS
TS was significantly related to bodyweight (P<.05). Mean ratios for TS/bodyweight were calculated for dogs tolerant and intolerant of acute complete shunt occlusion. Dogs tolerant to occlusion had significantly higher TS/bodyweight ratios than dogs intolerant to occlusion (P=.025). Dogs with a TS/bodyweight ratio of >7 were more likely to tolerate CPSS occlusion than dogs with a TS/bodyweight ratio of <5 (P=.036). A model was generated to predict portal pressure rise after shunt occlusion, based on liver dimensions and bodyweight (R=0.668). Intestinal oxygenation did not correlate significantly with tolerance to CPSS occlusion (P=.29).


CONCLUSIONS
In dogs with CPSS, liver size (relative to bodyweight) is significantly greater (P=.025) in dogs that are tolerant of full ligation than intolerant of occlusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative measurement of bodyweight and liver size help indicate the likelihood of tolerance to acute complete occlusion of CPSS in dogs.
Doran
Ivan P
IP
Small Animal Hospital, School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. ivan.doran@bristol.ac.uk
Barr
Frances J
FJ
Hotston Moore
Alasdair
A
Knowles
Toby G
TG
Holt
Peter E
PE
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000662:veterinary; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011168:Portal System / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary