Aspirin damage to ischemic gastric mucosa in shocked cats.

Cardiac output and blood flow to different regions and layers of the stomach were determined by the microsphere distribution technique. Aspirin tablets were placed in the stomach of anesthetized cats by gastrotomy. In some animals the arterial pressure was reduced to about 60 mmHg for 30 min by bleeding. The gastric mucosal blood flow decreased markedly during the bleeding. Three hours after reinfusion of the blood gastric mucosal erosions were present at the site of contact of the tablet with the mucosa. In most of the non-bled animals no mucosal lesions were found 4 1/2 after aspirin application. No mucosal damage occurred in animals subjected to bleeding without aspirin treatment. It is concluded that the aspirin damage to the gastric mucosa increases under hemorrhagic shock because of mucosal ischemia in the shocked animals.