The arterial blood supply to the liver in cirrhosis

Of 21 patients with cirrhosis of the liver 9 had collateral arterial flow to the liver from the superior mesenteric artery. The degree of collateral arterial flow in cirrhosis was related to the presence of centrifugal portal flow, the degree of bilirubinemia and the presence of a markedly enlarged spleen with increased splenic blood flow. Of 27 non-cirrhotic patients 6 had collateral arterial flow to the liver from the superior mesenteric artery. The greatest degree of collateral arterial flow was associated with celiac stenosis in 4/6 patients. One patient had pancreatitis and an explanation was not evident in one patient.