Liver Function and Blood Flow in Normal Man during Infusion of Vasopressin

Abstract

In five patients without liver disease the splanchnic blood flow, galactose uptake, and oxygen consumption were followed after infusion of vasopressin. The galactose uptake, as well as the oxygen consumption, appeared to be practically independent of the marked reduction in blood flow after vasopressin. ‘Liver mass’ determination by galactose is therefore not influenced by changes in hepatic blood flow.

Key Words:

• Galactose elimination
• hepatic blood flow
• liver function
• vasopressin