A potential Use of Doppler Sonography for Evaluating Normal Hemodynamic Values of the Hepatic, Pancreatic and Splenic Vessels in Domestic Rabbits

To determine Doppler hemodynamics reference values for hepatic artery, portal vein, pancreatic vessels and splenic vessels in healthy native breeds of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), this investigation was performed on twenty-one adult rabbits of both sexes. The first study concerned with the anatomical pattern of distribution of hepatic artery and portal vein of the liver; pancreatic arteries and veins; as well as splenic artery and vein. The second study included the Doppler sonography of these vessels. Doppler measurements showed that the PI, RI and S/D of hepatic artery (HA) were (0.87±0.11, 0.81±0.21, 0.61±0.03, 0.59±0.04, 4.65±0.12, 4.15±0.11), respectively. While the pancreatic artery (PA) Doppler indices which significantly (P=0.001) indicate the vascular perfusion were also measured as the PI, RI and S/D of PA were (1.05±0.33, 1.01±0.04, 0.79±0.12, 0.72±0.01, 3.35±0.21, 3.01±0.03), respectively but S/D did not give significant effect between sexes. All values of splenic vein (SV) were significantly higher in female than male cases in diameter and velocity (P=0.01, P=0.01), respectively. The mean diameter of SV was (6.01±0.18, 5.81±0.21) with a range and average (5.11-7.19, 5.89±0.63). While the splenic artery (SA) Doppler indices which significantly (P=0.002) indicated the vascular perfusion of the PI, RI and S/D of splenic artery (SA) were (1.02±0.35, 0.98±0.14, 0.77±0.03, 0.62±0.11, 3.62±0.12, 3.21±0.04), respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance, Results provided hemodynamics reference values for hepatic, pancreatic and splenic vessels in domestic rabbits anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine. Values obtained from females were higher than that of males.