An evaluation of blood flow and perfusion in the canine pancreas

This study evaluates pancreatic blood flow in the anaesthetised dog. Total flow was measured with an electromagnetic flowmeter and tissue perfusion using a Krypton-85 (85Kr) clearance technique. Cardiac output was also monitored with an electromagnetic flow probe placed on the ascending aorta. The flow and tissue perfusion in the pancreas were measured before and after devascularisation of the duodenum from the pancreas. The results show that the two techniques give similar values after pancreaticoduodenal devascularisation. If these vessels are left intact, however, electromagnetic measurements overestimate pancreatic flow by approximately 35%. Pancreatic blood flow in the dog is considered to have a normal value of 60-65 ml/min/100 g, or 25 ml/min, approximately 1.7% of the cardiac output being distributed to the gland.