Extracorporeal liver perfusion: applications of an improved model for experimental studies of the liver.

Long-term extracorporeal liver perfusion of up to 24 hours was achieved with an improved model of pig liver perfusion. Functional and structural integrity of the extracorporeal liver was maintained during the entire duration of extracorporeal perfusion. After 24 hours SGOT was 33.5 (+/- 6.5) U/L, bile production was 11.5 ml/h. Survival of hepatectomized pigs could be extended to 18.9 (+/- 3.8) hours with extracorporeal liver perfusion (p < 0.01). The improvement of liver perfusion in our particular model is primarily based on optimised perfusion of the low pressure system of the portal and hepatic vein by the application of sinusoidal pressure profiles. These pressure profiles imitate intra-abdominal conditions and achieve homogeneous perfusion of the low pressure system of the portal vein and complete drainage of hepatic venous blood.