PSS Flashcards
What is the problem with Portosystemic shunts?
abnormal communication of the portal and systemic vasculature allows products of intestinal absorption to bypass the liver and enter directly into the systemic circulation
Who is predisposed to Extrahepatic PSS?
small dogs and cats
yorkies, shih-tzus, Maltese, poodle, schnauzer, dachshunds, pugs
What makes a shunt extrahepatic?
veins that should join the portal vein enter the caudal vena cava or azygous vein instead
Left gastric and splenic vv. most commonly involved
Who is predisposed to intrahepatic PSS?
large breed dogs: labs, Golden’s, Australian shep, OES
What makes a shunt intrahepatic?
patent ductus venosus
intrahepatic branches of portal vein enter vena cava or hepatic vein,
bypassing the hepatic parenchyma
Portal vein hypoplasia (PVH) involves microvascular shunting within the liver. What plasma anticoagulant factor is synthesized in the liver, so can be used to assess hepatic synthetic activity and portal blood flow?
Protein C activity
Multiple extrahepatic PSS can occur secondary to what?
diseases that cause portal hypertension
macrovascular shunt ligation
When would we see ascites in a PSS patient?
uncommon
In severely hypoproteinemic cases, like portal vein hypoplasia/atresia
What crystals might you find on urinalysis in a patient who you’re suspecting a macrovascular shunt?
ammonium biurate
