The Physiologic Response to Superior Mesenteric Angiography

Abstract

Pressure in the carotid and femoral arteries and flow in the ascending aorta and superior mesenteric arteries were continuously monitored during selective injection of angiographic contrast medium into the superior mesenteric artery of anesthetized dogs. The response to injections of Hypaque 50%, Renografin–76%, and Conray–60% was an immediate increase in superior mesenteric artery flow. It peaked twenty to twenty-four seconds following injection, was 10 to 60% above base line after five minutes, and returned toward preinjection levels after fifteen minutes. The injections were also followed by a uniform rise in cardiac output and by a fall in diastolic blood pressure.