Hepatic Circulation in Young Males with Infectious Hepatitis, Studied at Rest, during and after Exercise

Abstract

Hepatic vein catheterization was performed in 6 young males with infectious hepatitis and 11 healthy male volunteers. At rest in the supine position the total hepatic blood flow estimated by the Bradley technique using indocyanine green dye was significantly higher in the patients than in the controls (2.37 and 1.37 l/min, respectively). During supine bicycle exercise the absolute reduction of the hepatic blood flow was similar in patients and controls, with the patients on a significantly higher flow level. The difference between the wedged and free hepatic venous pressure was higher in the patients than in the controls both before and after exercise. The increased hepatic blood flow in the patients with hepatitis seemed to be caused by an increased hepatic artery blood flow, most likely of metabolic origin.