Human gastric blood circulation evaluated by endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry.

Endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry was used to study gastric blood circulation in 34 healthy subjects. This paper presents the results of methodological studies and blood flux measurements in different parts of the stomach. In the recorded curve the flux level was easy to define, even though fluctuations synchronous with heart beat, respiration, and peristalsis were visible. The temporal and spatial variations of recorded values were within acceptable limits. Angulation between the measuring probe and mucosa and moderate pressure of the probe against the gastric wall did not seem to influence the recorded values significantly. When the blood circulation was examined in different parts of the stomach, the values along the lesser curvature were significantly lower than the values along the greater curvature (p less than 0.01).