Measurement of hepatic blood flow

Externally measured liver blood flow methods have been based primarily on the hepatic extraction of dyes removed by the polygonal cells or on the hepatic extraction of colloids and other particulate matter phagocytized by the reticuloendothelial (Kupffer) cells of the liver. The latter has generally been the material of choice because the efficiency of removal is nearly 100%. Multiexponential clearance curves have been obtained from the disappearance of materials extracted by the liver. The most rapid component representing a hepatic removal close to 100% is usually sufficiently large to allow reasonably accurate calculation of functional liver blood flow. The effects of increased shunt flow in patients with cirrhosis are reflected by this methodology and correlate well with scanning techniques.