Hemodynamic characterization of porcine hemorrhagic pancreatitis ascites fluid.

The hemodynamic reactions of hemorrhagic pancreatitis ascites fluid (HAF) were observed after intravascular injection in the pig. The HAF vascular reactions were compared to the reactions of known vasoactive agents in hopes of identifying the vasoactive agent(s) in HAF. Pancreatitis was induced in five pigs with pancreatic ductal injection of a bile/trypsin mixture. HAF from these pigs was injected into the portal vein of five anesthetized pigs which were monitored for changes in femoral artery pressure (FAP), cardiac output (CO), and portal pressure (PoVP). Trypsin was also tested in the same way in five additional pigs. HAF elevated PoVP, then lowered VAP, depressed CO, and exhibited tachyphylaxis. Trypsin did not cause tachyphylaxis. The effects observed after infusion of HAF are similar to the reported effects observed after injecting histamine, an agent previously implicated in hemorrhagic pancreatitis.