Liver haemodynamics as they relate to portosystemic shunts in the dog: A review

There are several factors at play in the homeostatic regulation of hepatic blood flow. These include neovascularisation and other intrahepatic shunting of blood away from sinusoids and obstructed hepatic veins. Current surgical techniques used in the management of portosystemic shunts in the dog modify the flow of portal blood to the liver or of hepatic venous blood from the liver. Such modifications may have significant consequences in terms of long term liver perfusion. This review considers the haemodynamics within the normally perfused liver as well as those within the liver who’s blood supply has been modified.