A simple calculation for obtaining shunt fractions of portosystemic shunts.

Since the isotopes can not be utilized for veterinary patients in Japan, the authors developed a simple calculation formula of shunt fraction of portosystemic shunt based on the hepatic circulation model. The shunt fraction can be calculated utilizing only 2 portal pressure measurements of pre-shunt ligation and temporary or permanent shunt ligation. The calculated shunt fraction can obtained pre-ligation and post-ligation either temporally or permanent complete shunt ligation: complete ligation group of PSS (n=59) had 48.2 +/- 16.9% of shunt fractions, whereas the partial ligation group (n=48) had 71.6 +/- 10.7% of shunt fractions.

An evaluation of radiographic hepatic size in dogs with portosystemic shunt.

Radiographically, the hepatic sizes of portosystemic shunt (PSS) cases were evaluated. In this study the hepatic area was compared in PSS and non-PSS dogs by utilizing the right lateral radiography. The top three breeds of PSS dogs of Maltese, Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier, were included and these dogs had a significantly smaller hepatic area ratio of 46.37 +/- 0.63%, 61.76 +/- 0.78% and 41.59 +/- 0.23% respectively (p<0.05) and the average overall hepatic area in the 3 dog breeds was 47.75 +/- 0.40%.