Distal splenic vein-hepatic artery shunt in hepatic cirrhosis swine with portal hypertension

Objective To approach the effect oi distal splenic vein-hepatic artery shunt (SVHA)in hepatic cirrhosis swine for lowering the venous pressure in the gastrosplenic area.Methods Two groups (control and cirrhosis) were randomly set up with 15 small-scale swine in each group,and SVHA was performed on each swine.The swine in control group were executed after SVHA,and those in cirrhosis group were fed for 30 days after SVHA prior to killing.Results ( 1 ) After SVHA,the venous blood flow from gastrosplenic area flowed smoothly into the liver,confirmed with methylene blue dye.The splenic venous pressure in control group was (20.51 ±0.74) cm H2O ( 1 cm H2O =0.098 kPa),and (23.09 ± 1.36)cm H2O in cirrhosis group ( P ＜ 0.05 ) ; ( 2 ) The pressure diffrence between splenic vein and hepatic artery after SVHA in control group was (7.17 ± 1.02) cm H2O,and (9.55 ± 1.32) cm H2O in cirrhosis group ( P ＜ 0.05 ) ; ( 3 ) All swine in cirrhosis group survived well,and had no hepatic encephalopathy.Conclusion ( 1 ) The pressure difference between splenic vein and hepatic artery after SVHA is the original motivation for lowering the venous pressure in the gastrosplenic area and keeping the venous flood flowed smoothly into the liver; (2) Additional treatment after SVHA is needed for abnormal liver function. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Portal hypertension; Distal splenic vein hepatic artery shunt