Abstract
Summary
The effect on splanchnic circulation of a serotonin constant infusion was investigated on 8 normal subjects and 8 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. The rate of serotonin infusion was of 30 γ/kg/min.
Mean arterial pressure, cardiac output and portal venous pressure were not significantly affected.
The estimated hepatic blood flow was reduced by 9.2% (P<0.05) and the splanchnic resistances were raised by 13.0% (P<0.05).
There was no evidence that a raised serotonin blood level in man could cause or maintain a portal hypertensive state.
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