The effect of vasopressin on hepatic artery flow in the rat.

The effects of vasopressin infusion on hepatic artery flow was studied in rats. Hepatic artery ligation followed by the infusion of vasopressin (0.08 microU/g body weight per min) decreases portal venous flow and liver blood flow. Vasopressin infusion results in an increase in hepatic artery flow and liver blood flow both of which are abolished by subsequent hepatic artery ligation. The increase in hepatic artery flow and the decrease in portal venous flow following the infusion of vasopressin is discussed in relation to the management of patients presenting with bleeding oesophageal varices.