Production of nonsurgical portosystemic venous shunts in dogs by transjugular approach.

Intrahepatic shunts between the left portal and hepatic veins were performed in 50 dogs (20 acute, 30 chronic experiments) using the transjugular approach with Dotter's coaxial catheter system. All shunts were occluded within two days; significant complications arose only after a shunt stayed in the animal a prolonged period. The intrahepatic tract wall was completely organized and fibrosed after three weeks.