In situ assessment of the liver microcirculation in mechanically ventilated rats using sidestream dark-field imaging

Abstrakt

Assessment of hepatic microcirculation by on-line visualization has been impossible for a long time. Sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging is a relatively new method allowing direct visualization of both mucosal microcirculation and surface layers microcirculation of solid organs using hand-held probe for direct contact with target tissue.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of studying the rat hepatic microcirculation in situ by SDF imaging. SDF imaging is a suitable noninvasive method for accurate quantification of the basic microcirculatory parameters of the liver in situ without a need to exteriorize the liver lobes.

This method seems to be applicable in animal studies with possibility to use SDF imaging also intraoperatively, providing unique opportunity to study liver microcirculation during various experimental and clinical settings.