title: Peripheral vasopressin for safe and adequate control of portal hypertension during shunt operations.
abstract: Nine patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension were given intraoperative vasopressin (40 U/hr) in a continuous peripheral infusion during establishment of a distal splenorenal shunt. In all patients a significant and sustained reduction in portal venous pressure was achieved. As a result, blood loss during dissection and the time required for operation were minimized. The expected vasopressin-induced reduction in cardiac output was limited to a transient decrease at 5 minutes. There were no significant cardiac arrhythmias. These results suggest that vasopressin given through a peripheral vein during shunt operations is safe and facilitates dissection by providing significant and sustained reductions in portal venous pressure.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000601:surgery*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014667:Vasopressins