LASER-DOPPLER FLOWMETRY IN THE STUDY OF IN-VIVO LIVER ISCHEMIA AND REPERFUSION IN THE RAT

Estimation of blood flow in the microcirculation is essential in the analysis of the events that occur during organ ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. In this study the use of laser-Doppler flowmetry is evaluated as a method for studying liver blood flow in the rat using an in vivo ischemia-reperfusion model. The experimental procedure consists of the temporary interruption of blood flow to the left lateral and medial lobes of the liver and subsequent recording of the postischemic liver blood flow using a laser-Doppler flowmeter. Flow was recorded for 60 min after periods of ischemia of 30 sec (control), 30, 45, and 60 min. The reperfusion records showed a biphasic curve with a mean flow of 59.6% of the baseline after 30 min of ischemia and of 38.3 and 41.1% after 45 and 60 min of ischemia, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between all the groups and the controls, and between 45 and 30 min of ischemia but not between 45 and 60 min. This is a useful model for studying ischemic liver injury in the rat. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.