[Postprandial hyperemia of the superior mesenteric artery]

With the use of ultrasonic duplex scanning it is now possible to assess the blood flow dynamics in the human mesenteric artery noninvasively. The changes associated with a standardized food load were measured and the results compared with the blood flow of the common carotid artery. 20 healthy subjects (age 30.1 +/- 5 years) were studied fasting and 6 times at 15 minutes interval after the test meal (1000 kCal). While the flow parameters of the carotid artery were virtually unaffected by food intake, a steep increase in mesenteric blood flow was observed. Maximal hyperemia (2.7-fold increase, range 1.4-5.7) was reached 45 minutes after food intake.