ISOLATED LIVER PERFUSION USING PERCUTANEOUS METHODS - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY IN THE PIG

Purpose: To develop a method for isolated perfusion of the liver using radiological methods. Methods: Twenty-one pigs, weighing about 20 kg, were divided into three groups. By transjugular and transfemoral appr oaches two occlusion balloons were placed in the inferior vena cava cr anial and caudal, respectively, to the origin of the hepatic veins. On e occlusion balloon was placed transfemorally in the common hepatic ar tery. Another occlusion balloon was inserted in the main branch of the portal vein via the transjugular-transhepatic approach in 11 pigs (gr oups 1 and 2), and in 10 pigs (group 3) by a percutaneous transhepatic route. After inflation of the balloons, patency of the isolated liver circulation was evaluated by recirculation of Tc-99(m)-labelled human albumin during 30 min. Blood tests were obtained after 1, 3, 5, 10, 1 5, and 30 min to evaluate leakage from the liver to the systemic circu lation. Results: Increasing leakage to the systemic circulation from t he isolated liver circulation was observed in groups 1 and 2. In the t hird group the leakage was less than 10%. Conclusion: In an experiment al animal model, isolated perfusion of the liver with minor leakage to the systemic circulation may be achieved using radiological methods.