A porcine model for investigation of hyperthermic isolated liver perfusion

Our study was aimed at developing a reliable method of hyperthermic isolate d liver perfusion (HILP) in pigs and at assessing its local and systemic si de effects. HILP was performed via the hepatic artery and portal vein in 15 animals. The perfusate consisted of blood (200 ml), oxypolygelatine (500 m l), Ringer's solution (1000 ml), and trapped intrahepatic blood. HILP was c arried out for 45 min at a mean perfusate inflow temperature of 41.2 degree s C. The mean portal flow and pressure were adjusted to 500 ml/min and 20-2 5 mm Hg; the mean arterial flow and pressure were 130 ml/min and 40-60 mm H g, respectively. After 20 min of perfusion the mean temperature in the righ t and the left liver lobe were 40.8 degrees 0 and 40.3 degrees 0 and remain ed almost constant over the whole perfusion period. Liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and serum lactate levels s howed slight increases after perfusion but normalized within 1 week. Histol ogy of liver parenchyma showed only mild pathological changes, which were a lso reversible within 7 days. The presented method of HILP is a safe and re producible technique for isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion. Based on th is animal model, experimental HILP with different chemotherapeutic agents c an be investigated in order to assess hepatic and systemic toxicity of this therapy.