Total and partial anoxia of the liver. An attempt to create protracted liver failure in the pit
Tonnesen, K.
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. Supplement 37: 27-31
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0085-5928 PMID: 1064135 Document Number: 99291
In an attempt to produce severe, but non-lethal experimental liver failure, pig livers were exposed to partial or total anoxia for various periods. The experiments were divided into 5 groups. Group I with total anoxia for 30 min, group II for 50 min, group III for 60 min, and group IV for 75 min. In group V a subtotal devascularization was performed. In group I (3 animals) and II (3 animals) all survived the period of observation (one wk). In group II (4 animals) half of the animals, and in group IV (3 animals) all died within 24 h. In group V (10 animals) 5 of 10 animals died with a mean survival time of 22 1/2 h. The animals surviving the period of observation did show changes in the routine liver tests, but none of them showed clinical signs of liver insufficiency. This indicates that the differences between lethal and clinically insignificant liver damage is very small. The pig liver can tolerate 50 min of total anoxia and recover almost completely after 1 wk, and a period of anoxia or subtotal devascularization does not create protacted liver failure.