Construction of canine acute liver failure model

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect of extracorporeal liver perfusion on the treatment of acute liver failure by constructing canine acute failure model. Methods: Seven Mongrol dogs were selected, and anesthesia was induced by injection of barbital sodium (25mg·kg^-1). Hepatic failure was induced by an end-to-side portacaval shunt, and then we excised all hepatic connecting ligaments except the hepatic arteries. The common hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries were occluded for 2 hours. The blood levels of ammonia, ALT, AST, LDH, BUN, TBIL, PT and FIB were monitored. Results: One dog died of anesthesia, while the other 6 hepatic failure models were successfully induced. After the occlusion of liver blood flow, all dogs died within 3 ∼7.5 hours. The average survival time was 5.7 ± 1.2 hours. Blood levels of ALT, AST, LDH, and ammonia increased significantly. Conclusion: Portacaval shunt combined with hepatic artery occlusion for 2 hours can be an effective way to induce canine acute hepatic failure.