Supraceliac clamping in the surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm. An experimental study in dogs.

Previous reports have suggested the use of supraceliac aortic clamping in the surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm of difficult approach. The objective of the present report was to study the hepatic and renal metabolic changes of three groups of dogs submitted to temporary clamping (30 minutes) of the abdominal aorta at three different levels: below the renal arteries, infrarenal group (8 dogs); above the renal arteries, suprarenal group (9 dogs); above the celiac artery, supraceliac group (9 dogs). Blood bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels were measured before clamping and 5 minutes and 24 hours after reperfusion of the aorta. Bilirubin levels remained unchanged 5 minutes and 24 hours after reperfusion in all three groups. Alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased in all three groups 24 hours after reperfusion. ALT levels increased significantly in the supraceliac group and AST levels increased significantly in the infrarenal and supraceliac groups 24 hours after reperfusion of the aorta. However, despite these significant increases after reperfusion, the levels of these hepatic enzymes were still within the normal range for dogs. Urea nitrogen and creatinine levels showed that renal function did not change in any of the three groups. We conclude that supraceliac, infrarenal or suprarenal aortic clamping for 30 minutes do not promote any important changes in the hepatic or renal function of dogs.