Peroperative vasopressin infusion during portocaval shunt surgery.

Intravenous infusion of vasopressin decreased mesenteric arterial- and portal venous flow in dogs. In 4 of 5 high-risk patients, in whom acu te portosystemic shunting was performed, the peroperative intravenous infusion of vasopressin facilitated the surgical procedure by reducing portal pressure and peroperative bleeding from venous collaterals. In 1 patient with reversed portal flow, the portal pressure and flow were not affected by the vasopressin infusion. No undesirable effects of vasopressin were encountered and all patients survived surgery and the early postoperative period.