Summary
Extracorporeal isolated pig liver perfusion was performed in three groups of five piglets each to assess the influence of different blood primes on liver function. All prime volumes were hemodiluted to a hematocrit of 0.3–0.35 and adjusted to a pH of 7.35–7.45 with sodium bicarbonate at a temperature of 38°C. Fresh slaughterhouse blood was collected, mechanically filtered and used in Group A, whereas analogously collected blood was biologically filtered by passage through the organism of the piglet in Group B. In Group C, the priming blood consisted of autologous blood gained during hepatectomy by a special technique. A high potassium concentration (10.4 ± 0.94 mmol/l) in Group A and impurities of the slaughterhouse blood in both Groups A and B led to rapid edema formation and an increase in vascular resistance of the perfused liver, and a prolonged perfusion was not achieved. In the third group, however, liver perfusion over a period of 5 h without any deterioration of liver function was possible. Beside liver function tests, oxygen consumption, the macroscopic aspect and bile flow of the liver seemed to be the most reliable parameters in assessing the function of the isolated perfused pig liver. Our technique to gain autologous blood can be recommended not only for extracorporeal liver perfusion but also for any other extracorporeal isolated organ perfusion.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barbier PA, Luder PJ, Wagner HE, Barbier A, Mettler D (1986) Orthotopic liver transplantation in pigs without cold perfusion of the donor liver. Eur Surg Res 18:293–301
Bombeck C, Biara C, Condon R, Nyhus L (1968) Parameters of normal liver function in the isolated perfused bovine liver. In: Norman JC (ed) Organ perfusion and preservation. Appleton-Century Crofts, New York, pp 573–608
Drapanas T, Ruben Z, Johannes OV (1966) Hemodynamics of the isolated perfused pig liver. Ann Surg 164:522–537
Fischer M, Wustrow T (1977) Makroskopische und mikroskopische Befunde zur Beurteilung der Vitalität extrakorporell perfundierter Schweinelebern. Res Exp Med (Berl) 169:203–212
Greim H, Trülzsch D, Roboz J, Dressler U, Czygan P, Hutterer F, Schaffner F, Popper H (1972) Mechanism of cholestasis. Gastroenterology 63:837–845
Hickman R, Saunders SJ, Goodwin NE, Terblanche J (1971) Perfusion of the isolated pig liver with human blood. J Surg Res 11:519–527
Hunfeld MAJM, Hoitsma HFW, Meier S, von Haeringen H, Roetwald FW (1984) The role of A-O-incompatible blood transfusions in porcine orthotopic liver transplantation. Eur Surg Res 16:355–359
Jarris SM, Young JD, Ansyy M, Archisold AL, Harkness RA, Simmonds RS (1980) Inosine the physiological energy source of pig erythrocytes? Biochim Biophys Acta 597:183–188
Neuhaus P, Pichlmayr R (1983) Extrakorporale Leberperfusion-Entwicklung und Erprobung eines neuen Modells. Habilitationsschrift an der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover
Tygstrup N, Funding J, Juul-Nielsen J, Keiding S, Kondahl G, Rame K, Winkler K (1971) The function of the isolated perfused and the in vivo pig liver. Scand J Gastroenterol [Suppl] 9:131–139
Weber M, Bircher J, Halpern A, Tauber J, Stresel H, Stirnemann H, Scholl E, Preisig R (1972) Substitution of the liver. Limitations of the heterologously perfused pig liver. Rev Eur Etudes Clin Biol 17:77–86
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Steffen, R., Ballmer, F.T., Luder, P.J. et al. Extracorporeal isolated pig liver perfusion: Influence of various blood primes on liver function. Res. Exp. Med. 187, 265–274 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01852052
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01852052