Continuous Measurement of Gastric Blood Flow by Laser-Doppler Flowmetry during Gastroscopy

Abstract

Endoscopic laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) of gastric blood flow (GBF) was performed simultaneously with intragastric manometry to detect a possible correlation between GBF and luminal pressure during gastroscopy. By increasing luminal air pressure from 10 to 20 cm H2O a significant reduction in GBF was observed. Regional differences in GBF were also demonstrated. Variations in luminal air pressure have a significant influence on GBF as measured by LDF, and therefore intragastric manometry and standardization of intraluminal air pressure is necessary in endoscopic LDF measurements.