Determination of Portal and Arterial Liver Hemodynamics by Angiodensitometry

Abstract

In advanced cirrhosis of the liver, in particular associated with bleeding of esophageal varices, the blood supply of the liver plays a decisive role. Although the preoperative angiography gives evidence of possible portofugal blood circulation and supplies information about the vascularity and shunting ability for example of the splenic vein, it only allows insufficient estimation of the arterial and portal blood supply of the liver. Before a shunt operation, which always leads to a relief of the portal flow to the liver, the actual, in general extremely reduced, blood flow to the liver should be known, because post-operatively a complete breakdown of this part of the liver supply may occur.