title: Hemodynamic effects of superior mesenteric arterial and intravenous vasopressin infusions in patients with portal hypertension.
abstract: Administration of vasopressin (0.4 units/minute) via the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) resulted in a mean 25% reduction in corrected hepatic venous wedge pressure (CHWP) in 9 stable non-bleeding patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. There was wide variation of response in individual patients with two of nine showing no decrease in CHWP to vasopressin. Selective intra-arterial infusion did not protect against the systemic effects of vasopressin and resulted in significant elevations in blood pressure (21%) and systemic vascular resistance (39%). A slight decrease in cardiac output (11%) was also observed. In 6 of these patients, vasopressin (0.4 units/minute) was also given intravenously. The resultant decreases in CHWP were similar to those observed with SMA administration.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006503:Hepatic Veins; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014690:Venous Pressure
chemical_list: D014667:Vasopressins