1c:I[419806,["/_next/static/chunks/bb923814e1f4d2e9.js","/_next/static/chunks/dd3ee9f5b7716ca6.js","/_next/static/chunks/4204a0ae82542ca8.js","/_next/static/chunks/30036bedc5269936.js","/_next/static/chunks/6e1aa89a642f40be.js","/_next/static/chunks/cd5e572bc3e4eb92.js","/_next/static/chunks/8ffd0b71567920d8.js","/_next/static/chunks/67ea6dfd21f16c5f.js","/_next/static/chunks/24eb4379f68013fd.js","/_next/static/chunks/b8cd775ffdf935bd.js","/_next/static/chunks/983103cd9eb7b428.js","/_next/static/chunks/d4ac9dcf27f6ff52.js","/_next/static/chunks/294b9525248c8e5f.js"],"default"] 1d:T470,THE CONTROL of portal hypertension and associated bleeding esophageal and gastric varices continues to be a major problem in emergency situations. Experience with the pharmacologic control of portal hypertension has been an outgrowth of the authors' interest in the preoperative arteriographic demonstration of intraluminal gastrointestinal bleeding^1-4and the diagnosis of advanced cirrhosis with portal hypertension and varices by selective mesenteric arteriography. Selective infusions of a variety of pharmacologic agents were made into the superior mesenteric artery in a series of dogs with experimentally constructed portal hypertension.⁵These previously reported experimental infusions utilized doses of epinephrine, norepinephrine, angiotensin amide, vasopressin, and vasopressin derivatives at a much lower level than can be employed systemically to produce pharmacologic effects. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and angiotensin amide caused a significant decrease in the flow in the superior mesenteric artery and thus decreased portal inflow, but the production of a concomitant portal venous outflow block1e:T435,Vasopressin injection (pitressin®) has become widely accepted as a useful aid in roentgen visualization of the gallbladder. Through its ability to increase peristalsis, vasopressin injection results in rapid expulsion of gas from the intestine, thus removing obscuring gas shadows. The drug may cause only transient and minor toxic reactions. Collins and Root¹recognized three contraindications: coronary heart disease, hypertension and hypotension (systolic blood pressure under 100). Kirklin²in reporting on the use of vasopressin injection in 100 cases, noted no serious ill effects although numerous minor reactions were observed, the most frequent being pallor. Recently, Mills and co-workers³directed attention to the possibility of serious myocardial effects of the drug. We observed two cardiac accidents following vasopressin injection during cholecystography. On the basis of generally accepted principles governing its use, no contraindication to the use of the drug was evident in these cases.

REPORT OF CASES

Case

1f:T654,

	Year	Citations

References