Reversibility of changes in hepatic vessels after correction of experimental aortic coarctation.

Abstract

Structural changes in hepatic vessels were studied in pups with experimental aortic coarctation and animals with corrected defect. Reconstruction of vessels was assayed by functional, morphometric, and histological methods. Aortic coarctation in pups was followed by a decrease in circumferential strain of the wall of hepatic arteries. These changes were accompanied by atrophy and sclerosis of the media. The arterial bed had a greater number of vessels with intimal muscles. Muscle bundles in large hepatic veins underwent dystrophy. After correction of experimental defect, the increase in circumferential strain of arteries was accompanied by hypertrophy of the wall. The number of arterial vessels with intimal muscles decreased, while muscle bundles in hepatic veins were thickened. Sclerosis of hepatic vessels was reversible.