Experimental studies on the circulatory dynamics of intrahepatic tumor blood supply

Abstract

Studies on the circulatory perfusion of liver tumor implants in rats indicated that the tumors, when small, are nourished by both hepatic artery and portal vein blood. As the tumors grow larger, the arterial system becomes predominant, although portal vessels appear to terminate near the edges of the tumors. When blood flow through the portal system is acutely interrupted, the immediate reaction is that of a decreased relative perfusion of the tumors via the arterial system. A probable shunting of blood through the arterioles to the liver occurs. When blood flow through the hepatic artery is acutely interrupted, there appears to be little change in the distribution of portal blood to the tumor or liver. However, in about half of the rats studied by microcirculatory techniques, filling of the tumor plexus via the portal system was observed. When vasoactive drugs, both constrictors and dilators, were administered arterially, a decreased arterial perfusion of the tumors occurred. This change appeared to involve only the small arterial vessels.