[Physiology and pathophysiology of intestinal circulation]

Abstract

Splanchnic blood flow is regulated by cardiovascular factors, the autonomic nervous system, circulating vasoactive agents and local mechanical factors. Typical physiologic phenomena such as "autoregulation", "autoregulatory escape" and "countercurrent exchange" are discussed. Aspects of therapy especially for acute mesenteric infarction, are elucidated with reference to the circulating vasoactive agents, the effects of bowel distension on intestinal blood flow and reperfusion injuries.