Comparative hemodynamic effects of selective superior mesenteric arterial and peripheral intravenous glucagon infusions.

This experiment was designed to determine whether any hemodynamic benefits attend administration of equal pharmacologic doses of glucagon (1 micrograms/kg/m) by continuous intravenous infusion (Group I, n = 6) versus selective intraarterial infusion (Group II, n = 6) via the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in dogs. Cardiac output, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, total peripheral resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, superior mesenteric artery flow (SMAQ), SMA vascular resistance, and portal venous pressure were measured at baseline (BL) and at 5, 15, 30, and 45 min during glucagon infusion. SMAQ virtually doubled at 5 min from a baseline of 570 +/- 60 ml/min to 1158 +/- 146 ml/min in Group I (P less than 0.001), and from a baseline of 527 +/- 171 to 1018 +/- 331 ml/min in Group II (P less than 0.002). SMAQ was significantly higher in Group I at 30 and 45 min compared to Group II (P less than 0.03) despite similar peripheral plasma glucagon levels. SMA vascular resistance was significantly lowered in both groups, with a greater reduction occurring during intravenous glucagon administration at 45 min (P less than 0.05). Changes in systemic hemodynamic parameters, as well as glucagon and glucose levels were not statistically different between Groups I and II at any time period. Glucagon is a potent mesenteric vasodilator and the resultant profound splanchnic hemodynamic effects are as marked during intravenous administration as during selective SMA infusion.