Measurement of hepatic blood flow in the unanesthetized dog by a modified bromsulphalein method

¹ Department of Surgery, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and Department of Experimental Surgery, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois

Possible errors of the bromsulphalein method for estimation of hepatic blood flow are enumerated and an analytic method which takes into account the amount of hemolysis present in the samples is described. Improved analytical accuracy allows flow measurements to be carried out at lower bromsulphalein levels, which theoretically allow less extrahepatic bromsulphalein loss and provide larger gradients relative to the circulating level. A preparation for the study of hepatic blood flow and regional hepatic metabolism in the chronic unanesthetized dog is described. Modifications of the bromsulphalein method are proposed for use in this experimental preparation; these modifications include an attempt to obviate the problems of the retrograde hepatic vein catheter technique and a direct measurement of the portal-hepatic venous bromsulphalein concentration gradient. Comparison of hepatic blood flow measurements by the modified bromsulphalein method with direct measurements of flow in the in situ perfused liver have shown comparable results.