Temporary intestinal ischaemia induced by proximal mesenteric artery occlusion

The severity and distribution of small intestinal ischaemia caused by temporary proximal occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery in cats were evaluated by electromagnetic flowmetry and carbonized microspheres. Average mucosal blood flow was reduced from 0.94 to 0.40 ml/min/g. Mucosal flow in the proximal jejunum and distal ileum was even less affected. Ischaemia induced by proximal occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery in cats was not severe enough to provide optimum conditions for intestinal hypoxic radiation protection, nor was such ischaemia evenly distributed along the gut.