Human gastric perfusion: evidence for non-uniformity of blood flow

Post-mortem injection studies have demonstrated marked differences in the course and distribution of arterioles in the stomach, but evidence of differential perfusion in man is lacking. Using the non-invasive laser Doppler technique, we studied 38 patients referred for gastroscopy for dyspeptic symptoms. Flux measurements were made at nine sites: distal oesophagus, cardia, mid-body and antrum on lesser and greater curves, and pre- and post-pylorus. In all cases the stomach was macroscopically normal. Flux in the proximal stomach was significantly greater than that in the antrum, (P less than 0.001, Student's t test). This in vivo study demonstrates a flow gradient related to the previously demonstrated anatomical differences.