Estimations of hepatic blood flow by the sulfobromophthalein (SBP) method made simultaneously from the right and left hepatic veins give similar values, and, thus, each is representative of total liver perfusion.1-3 Though some variability has been reported in the oxygen content and saturation of hepatic venous blood samples drawn from the right and left lobes,4 the oxygen uptake of the 2 segments can be considered to be representative of the total splanchnic metabolic activity. McIndoe and Counseller5 have reported that the liver is a bilateral structure—i.e., that the vascular beds of the right and left sides of the liver are separate. Thus, when right and left hepatic venous blood samples are withdrawn for the estimation of hepatic blood flow and splanchnic oxygen consumption, observations are made on essentially 2 "livers."
It should be possible, therefore, to demonstrate manifestations of venous congestion and anoxia6 in one of