[Pancreatic circulation in experimental biliary pancreatitis].

Measurements of pancreatic micro- and macrocirculation were performed to evaluate the pancreatitis-induced changes. Pigs were anesthetized and ventilated mechanically. Hypotension induced side-effects were avoided by adequate volume replacement. After laparatomy, splenectomy and gastroectomy the animals were enterotomized. Systemic hemodynamic parameters were monitored as well as pancreatic blood flow (Q), which was measured electromagnetically, and arterial and portal-venous blood gases. Pancreatic microcirculatory parameters were observed using fluorescence-videomicroscopy after i.v. administration of FITC dextran 150 and FITC labeled autologous erythrocytes. The pigs were randomly assigned to a control (n = 9) and a pancreatitis group (n = 10), the later being induced by the retrograde infusion of sodium-taurocholate. Systemic and pancreatic macrohemodynamic parameters remained constant in both groups, except for avdO2 and O2-consumption (O2-c) decreasing significantly in the pancreatitis group. At baseline 42% of all capillaries were perfused in both groups. In pancreatitis we detected focal areas with persistent stasis and areas which were continuously perfused. In these areas the portion of capillaries perfused by erythrocytes increased significantly to 67%. This was accompanied by an extravasation of FITC dextran. The finding of an unchanged Q beside reduced O2-c and avdO2 during pancreatitis is explained by the changes in pancreatic microcirculation. Focal stasis was observed beside areas showing typical signs of an acute inflammation: increased macromolecular permeability and capillary recruitment, e.g. oedema and hyperaemia.