Influence of posture on hepatic blood flow.

Hepatic blood flow was measured in 28 patients in supine and prone positions using the 133Xe-inhalation washout method. Even though the reactions in individual patients were considerably different, a mean blood flow of 60.9 ml/100 g/min was unaltered in both positions. This constancy of hepatic blood flow values is valid for patients without liver disease, with chronic hepatitis, and with liver cirrhosis.