Time limits for intestinal ischemia and congestion: an experimental study in rats.

We investigated to determine the time limits for intestinal ischemia and congestion. The experimental models were produced by clamping both ends and the intended feeder vessels of an approximately 1-cm length of rat jejunum. The results showed that in arteriovenous occlusion, the time required for the recovery rate to reach 50% was 7.03 hours. The time required for the recovery rate to reach 50% was 6.81 hours when arterial occlusion alone was performed and 3.70 hours when venous occlusion alone was performed. The difference between the two was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Consequently, it was found that the degree of intestinal damage due to venous occlusion was greater than the damage resulting from arteriovenous and arterial occlusion.