Background: Gastrointestinal complications represent a serious problem after cardiopulmonary bypass.
Hypoperfusion of the gastrointestinal tract during bypass has been implicated as the
cause. We therefore investigated blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery during
cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: Mature female pigs (n = 12) were investigated. While six sham-operated animals served
as control (group I), six pigs underwent normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass for 180
minutes (group II). Bypass flow was 2.4 l/m2/minute. Standard regimens for anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass were used. Blood
flow in the superior mesenteric artery was assessed by Doppler flowmetry. Results: Blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery did not change significantly in group
I. In group II, mesenteric blood flow increased significantly from baseline at 120,
150, and 180 minutes. Oxygen consumption in the mesenteric circulation increased significantly
in group II at 90 and 180 minutes compared to baseline, as well as oxygen extraction.
Lactate content in the mesenteric vein in group II increased compared to control at
30, 90 and 180 minutes. Conclusion: Overall gastrointestinal blood flow is not impaired during cardiopulmonary bypass
in this animal model. Instead, gastrointestinal blood flow increased during normothermic
cardiopulmonary bypass as well as oxygen consumption.
Key words:
Cardiopulmonary bypass - Gastrointestinal blood flow
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Dr. Jürgen Rötker
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Westphalian Wilhelms-University
of Münster
Albert Schweitzer Straße 33
48129 Münster
Germany
Phone: (++49) (0251) 83 47401
Email: Juergen.Roetker@t-online. de