Lysine-vasopressin: Hemodynamic effects in the anesthetized dog

Abstract
Vasopressin (ADH) is known to reduce secretin-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion. The present study attempts to relate this inhibitory effect to the vasoconstrictive potency of ADH. Regional blood flow was measured electromagnetically in anesthetized dogs. ADH reduced blood flow inmmost of the vascular areas. The greatest reduction in blood flow was seen in the gastrointestinal area especially in the left gastric artery, cranial and caudal pancreaticoduodenal arteries, as well as the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries. Renal blood flow was not altered by those concentrations of ADH that reduced gastrointestinal blood flow. ADH reduced pancreaticoduodenal blood flow in concentrations comparable to those concentrations that reduced pancreatic secretory flow. The reduction of gastrointestinal blood flow was due to increased impedance and not to diminished cardiac inotropy.