Effects of calcium antagonists on hepatic and systemic hemodynamics in awake portal hypertensive rats

The effects of the calcium antagonists diltiazem and nicardipine on portal pressure and splanchnic blood flow were studied in awake, unrestrained portal hypertensive rats. Portal hypertension was induced in rats by partial portal vein ligation. Hemodynamic measurements were done using the radiolabeled microsphere technique. In portal veinligated and sham-operated rats, intraarterial diltiazem and nicardipine reduced mean arterial pressure. No significant changes, however, were observed in portal pressure and cardiac index. In portal vein-ligated rats, diltiazem and nicardipine increased portal tributary blood flow. Portal tributary vascular resistance was also significantly decreased. The decrease in the hepatocollateral vascular resistance prevented an increase in portal pressure. In sham-operated rats, these changes were not observed. It is possible that the vascular responses to calcium antagonists are altered in portal vein-ligated rats. These findings demonstrate that the hemodynamic effects of calcium antagonists occur at two levels. First, the increase in portal tributary blood flow appears to be a selective effect on portal tributary vascular resistance. Secondly, the portal pressure does not increase in parallel with the increase in portal tributary blood flow because of a similar reduction in portocollateral vascular resistance.