[Gastric juice secretion increases during extracorporeal circulation employed in cardiac surgery]

We evaluated gastric juice secretion during extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in cardiac surgery. The effect of pirenzepine, a muscarine receptor blocker, was also tested to clarify the mechanism involved. Gastric juice secretion increased significantly from pre ECC value of 3.8 +/- 1.3 ml.h-1 to 12.4 +/- 4.0 ml.h-1 during ECC. It decreased to 5.0 +/- 1.4 ml.h-1 (mean +/- SE) after ECC. Pirenzepine premedication reduced serum gastrin level. However, it did not suppress the increase of gastric juice secretion. There is no significant correlation between serum gastrin level and gastric juice secretion. ECC is a major stress and increases gastric juice secretion. This phenomenon is probably activated via sympathetic and hypophysis-adrenal gland system.