[Effect of vasopressin on the lower esophageal sphincter. Study on the action mechanism of vasopressin in bleeding esophageal varices].

The effect of vasopressin on the lower esophageal sphincter has been investigated in 12 healthy volunteers. Peripheral infusion of 0.2 U/min resulted in a significant (p less than 0.05) decrease in sphincter pressure. Accordingly, vasopressin-induced myogenic compression of bleeding varices has been ruled out as a potential additional hemostatic mechanism of vasopressin.