Splanchnic blood flow in patients with abdominal angina before and after arterial reconstruction. A proposal for a diagnostic test.

The diagnostic value of determining the splanchnic blood flow (SBF) and oxygen uptake before and after a test meal in patients suspected of abdominal angina was investigated in 15 patients with unexplained abdominal pain. Six patients with typical abdominal angina and occlusive lesions of two or three splanchnic arteries were investigated before and after successful arterial reconstruction. Five patients with less severe arterial lesions were classified as suspected of abdominal angina and four patients with eventual normal arteriography served as controls. No significant difference was found in fasting SBF between the three groups. Postprandial SBF rose in the controls and in the abdominal angina suspected group, but not in the patients with abdominal angina. After arterial reconstruction fasting SBF was higher than before and postprandial SBF rose to the level of the controls. No difference in oxygen uptake before or after test meal was seen in any of the groups or after arterial reconstruction.