Hemodynamic changes after distal splenorenal shunt studied by sequential angiography.

Distal splenorenal shunts were made in 25 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension. Angiograms were obtained in 16 patients at one week, three and six months, and at one year postoperatively. Portal vein flow had diminished in all patients compared with flow seen in preoperative angiograms. Hepatofugal flow developed in 6 patients during the follow-up period, and in 2 patients only one week postoperatively. The shunt remained patent in all of the patients but one.