Portosystemic Shunt Flashcards
What are portosystemic vascular anomalies?
abnormal communications of the portal and systemic vasculature that allow normal blood draining from the stomach, intestines, spleen, and pancreas to bypass the liver and enter directly into systemic circulation
What are the 2 classifications of congenital portosystemic shunts?
- MACROVASCULAR - intra/extrahepatic
- MICROVASCULAR - intrahepatic
What are the 2 classifications of acquired portosystemic shunts?
- SINGLE - trauma, iatrogenic
- MULTIPLE - diseases that cause portal hypertension, like viral hepatitis or fibrosis of the liver
In what animals are extrahepatic PSS most common?
- DOGS: small breeds; Yorkies, Shih Tzu, Maltese, Poodle, Schnauzer, Dachsund, Lhasa Apso, Bichon Frise, Jack Russel Terrier, Pekingese
- CATS: DSH
What are extrahepatic shunts? What vessel is most commonly involved?
veins that should join the portal vein enter the caudal vena cava or azygous vein instead
left gastric vein
- (gastro)splenic vein
- direct portocaval
- gastroduodenal
- mesenteric (jejunal and colic)
What are the most common causes of extrahepatic and intrahepatic PSS?
EXTRAHEPATIC = portocaval shunt involving the left gastric vein
INTRAHEPATIC = persistent ductus venosus, congenital portal vein hypoplasia (microvascular dysplasia)
At what level in the abdomen is the presence of veins suspicious of PSS?
anything above the kidney entering the caudal vena cava
Extrahepatic PSS:
In what breeds are intrahepatic PSS most common?
large breeds
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Australian Sheperds
- Old English Sheepdofs
What vessel is most commonly responsible for intrahepatic PSS?
patent ductus venosus - intrahepatic branches of the portal vein enter the vena cava or hepatic vein, bypassing hepatic parenchyma
(within the lobes, hard to find and treat)
What is portal vein hypoplasia? What is the most common clinical sign?
hepatic microvascular dysplasia where hepatocytes are bypassed
drug sensitivity - prolonged response to anesthetic agents or tranquilizers
What are the 2 major laboratory tests used to diagnose portal vein hypoplasia (HMD)?
- bile acids often mildly elevated
- protein C activity decreased to > 70% of normal, reflecting a decrease in hepatic synthetic activity and portal bloodflow
How is nuclear scintigraphy used to diagnose portal vein hypoplasia (HMD)? What are the 2 techniques?
technetium 99 is injected into the GIT and followed to see if the liver is skipped
- transcolonic - higher dose needed, confirms shunt, but not type
- transsplenic - smaller dose, can identify type of shunt
How does treatment differ in the stable and progressive forms of portal vein hypoplasia (HMD)?
STABLE = no treatment usually necessary, diet management is usually enough
PROGRESSIVE = extensive liver involvement requiring diet changes and medical management
What are the 5 most common causes of multiple extrahepatic PSS?
- disease causing portal hypertension (virus, toxins)
- macrovascular shunt ligation
- cirrhosis
- non-cirrhotic portal hypertension due to hepatic veno-occlusive disease
- hepatic A-V malformation (fistula)
What are the best diagnostics for diagnosing macrovascular shunts?
- hematology
- biochemistries: increased ammonia
- urinalysis: ammonia stones
- liver function tests
- ultrasonography
What are the most common general signs associated with macrovascular shunts?
- poor growth
- weight loss
- tranquilizer intolerance
What 3 systems are commonly affected by macrovascular shunts?
- NERVOUS - lethargy, depression, weakness, behavior changes, pacing, aggression, ataxia, stupor, head pressing, coma, seizures, blindness
- GI - anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, ptyalism (cats), pica, ascites
- URINARY - PU/PD, cystitis, hematuria, dysuria, pollakiuria, stranguria, urolithiasis, urethral obstruction
What 3 clinical signs are especially associated with cats in macrovascular shunts?
- copper colored irises
- hypersalivation (ptyalism)
- aggressive behavior (hepatoencephalitis)
Why do patients with macrovascular shunts develop acites? In what patients is this uncommon?
portal hypertension
those with congenital PSS, unless severely hypoproteinemic (poor prognostic sign)
What is commonly seen on hematology in patients with macrovascular shunts?
- anemia
- microcytosis
- hypochromasia
- poikilocytosis
- target cells (codocytes)
- neutrophilia