Suprahepatic vein oxygen tension in alcoholics with severe and mild liver damage

We measured suprahepatic vein and arterial partial oxygen pressure in 35 alcoholics with severe (N=7) or mild (N=28) histological liver damage and without evidence of clinical liver failure. The suprahepatic vein was punctured with a fine needle, using a percutaneous approach. Suprahepatic vein partial oxygen pressure was lower and arterial-suprahepatic gradient higher in alcoholics with severe liver damage compared to those with mild damage (35.1±1.7 vs 44.1±2.1 and 58.9±3.7 vs 45.9±2.4 mm Hg, respectively;P<0.001). Suprahepatic puncture was well tolerated and devoid of complications. It is concluded that alcoholics with severe liver damage have lower oxygen tensions in the suprahepatic vein, a phenomenon that supports the hypoxic theory of alcoholic liver disease. © 1995 Plenum Publishing Corporation.