MEASUREMENT OF LIVER BLOOD FLOW

Abstract

The study of hepatic hemodynamics is of importance in understanding both hepatic physiology and diseases as well assessing the effects of portosystemic shunting and liver transplantation. The liver has the most complicated circulation of any organ many physiological and pathological processes can affect it (1,2). This review surveys the methods available for assessing liver blood flow, examines the different parameters being measured and outlines problems of applicability and interpretation for each technique. The classification of these techniques is to some extent arbitrary and several so called 'different' methods may share certain common principles. The methods reviewed have classified into two groups (Table I):Those primarily reflecting flow thorough discrete vessels or to the whole organ and those used to assess local microcirculatory blood flow. All techniques have their advantages and disadvantages and in some situations a combination may provide the most information. in addition, because of the many factors affecting liver blood flow and sinusoidal perfusion, readings in a single subject may vary depending on positioning, recent food intake, anxiety, anesthesia and drug therapy. This must be borne in mind if different studies are to be meaningfully compared .