[Flow characteristics and responses to vasoactive drugs in canine gastroepiploic artery]

We studied flow characteristics and response to norepinephrine, Chlorpromazine and gastrin in 22 canine gastroepiploic artery (GEA) recirculation model. The GEA flow was obtained by a drip for a minute, opening the end of pedicle GEA. Furthermore, aortic flow and celiac arterial flow were measured by magnetic flow probe. The administration of chlorpromazine, vagostigumine, and gastrin induced a increase in both celiac arterial flow and pedicle GEA graft flow. Especially, the administration of gastrin induced significant increase in GEA flow and celiac arterial flow. Furthermore, adding norepinephrine step-wisely, the GEA flow increased remarkably, in spite of decrease of celiac arterial flow. This response was caused from difference in vascular resistance among celiac arterial branches. Therefore, the pedicle GEA graft has homogenous response as same as intact GEA that perfuses stomach, because its flow was affected by adrenergic and parasympathetic agent, alpha-blocker and gastric hormone.