Haemodynamic studies in dogs with chronic bile duct ligation

Dogs with bile duct ligation retain salt and water and form ascites. The present study was undertaken to examine the role of hemodynamic factors in the etiology of this sodium retention. Hemodynamic studies were performed in 5 dogs before and 5 wk after bile duct ligation. After the operation there was an insignificant fall in mean arterial pressure, a significant rise in mean cardiac index and a significant fall in mean total peripheral resistance. It is concluded that heart failure is not a factor in renal sodium retention of the dog with bile duct ligation, since the central venous pressure was not elevated. The hemodynamic pattern and the tendency to salt retention in the dog with chronic bile duct ligation closely resemble findings reported in patients with cirrhosis of the liver, and it is suggested that edema formation in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and dogs with chronic bile duct ligation shares a common etiology.