Selective Coeliac and Hepatic Artery Angiography in Normal Dogs

Abstract

Coeliac and common hepatic artery angiography were performed on 20 dogs in vivo, and 4 animals were studied by postmortem arterial injection. The extrahepatic arterial pattern varied somewhat, but no arterial supply from the superior mesenteric artery was demonstrated. Intrahepatic arterial branches with as small a diameter as 0.2 mm were easily seen. Most of the intrahepatic arterial ramifications had in vivo a typical tortuous course, which was not seen in freshly injected postmortem specimens. No arterio-portal or arterio-venous connections were demonstrated. The quality of the parenchymal phase varied, depending upon the calibre of the proper hepatic arteries. The significance of these findings in experimental surgery is briefly discussed.

Key-words:

• Coeliac and hepatic artery angiography
• dog
• liver