Gastric mucosal microcirculation measured by laser Doppler velocimetry in patients with gastric ulcer

In order to evaluate the role of gastric mucosal blood flow in patients with gastric ulcer, we applied laser Doppler velocimetry to the human gastric mucosa to study the regional microcirculatory mechanism. We measured 5 spots each in 34 control stomachs, and in 47 patients with gastric ulcer at the angle and antrum of the stomach, 2 additional spots around the ulcer. During the healing process, mucosal blood flow around the gastric ulcer increased as compared to that of the active or scarring stages. Compared with that of surrounding mucosa, mucosal blood flow around the gastric ulcer increased significantly during healing stage. Mucosal blood flow at the ulcer margin in healing stage (H1 stage) was 52% more than in the active stage. The increase in mucosal blood flow in the ulcer margin during healing stages (H1 and H2 stage) was 45% in cases with initial ulcer and 22% in cases with recurrent ulcer. It was concluded that increased blood flow in the ulcer margin during healing stages promotes healing of the ulcer. Laser Doppler velocimetry is useful in measuring mucosal blood flow sequentially in various stages of gastric ulcer, and also provides effective evaluation of medical treatment.