The morphometry and haemodynamic aspects of portal vein were studied in 20 normal dogs with less than 120 days of age and in 14 dogs presenting portosystemic shunting with ages between 90 and 360 days. In the control group the hepatic margins were seen 1.50cm to 3.00cm caudal to the costal margin. Collected data indicated that the mean diameter of portal vein (VP), caudal vena cava (VCC) and abdominal aorta (AO) measured respectively, 0.38cm, 0.37cm and 0.41cm. The VP/VCC and VP/AO mean ratios were respectively, 1.10 and 0.94. The average of VP, VCC and AO areas were respectively, 0.12cm², 0.11cm² and 0.14cm². The haemodynamic of portal vein was studied by ultrasound Doppler and the mean velocity of portal blood flow (VMFSP) measured was 17.76cm/s. It was verified that portal blood flow (FSP) average was 83.11ml/min/kg and the congestion index (IC) average was 0.006. In the group of animals presenting portosystemic shunting, the hepatic margins were seen 1.00cm to 2.00cm cranial to the costal margin. The morphometry of VP, VCC and AO presented a mean diameter of 0.40cm, 0.74cm and 0.56cm, respectively. The VP/VCC and VP/AO mean ratios were respectively, 0.54 and 0.69. The average of VP, VCC and AO areas were respectively, 0.14cm², 0.31cm² and 0.25cm². The haemodynamic study demonstrated that the VMFSP measured was 22.29cm/s and the IC average was 0.006.
Ultrasonography; doppler; portal vein; dogs; portosystemic shunting
