RESUMEN
The canine liver was isolated from its blood supply and perfused for one hour normothermically be means of a new catheter and a perfusion system consisting of oxygenator, pump and heat-exchanger. Hemodynamic parameters, blood gas analyses, and tissue metabolites were evaluated during experiments. The venous return from the lower body and portal vein (1.113/1min) could be maintained with the catheter system so that the mean systemic arterial pressure was within normal limits. With a perfusion rate through the liver 0,55 ml/min/g and perfusion pressure of 10 cm H2O there was an adequate tissue perfusion; this was also shown by blood gas analyses and tissue metabolite concentrations. Using dye dilution methods the isolation of the liver was tested. This showed a leakage of 6-7% of the total perfusion volume. This new method makes it possible to carry out an isolated, normothermic, liver perfusion for one hour without irreversible tissue damage.