Background-Current knowledge on splanchnic haemodynamics in coeliac di
sease is limited and incomplete. Aim-To evaluate splanchnic arterial a
nd venous blood flow in coeliac disease. Methods-In 22 coeliac (13 unt
reated, nine treated) patients and in nine healthy subjects the follow
ing variables were assessed: vessel diameter and mean flow velocity in
portal vein, splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein, and superior mes
enteric artery. Peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity and pul
satility index were also determined in the superior mesenteric artery.
Five patients of the untreated group were re-evaluated after nine mon
ths on a gluten free diet. Results-Significant differences in haemodyn
amic variables between the three groups were shown only in the superio
r mesenteric artery. An increase in both mean now velocity and end dia
stolic velocity and a reduction in pulsatility index occurred in untre
ated patients compared with treated patients (p<0.002; p<0.04; p<0.035
) and with healthy controls (p<0.001; p<0.025; p<0.0003). Similar resu
lts were obtained for the five patients evaluated before and after tre
atment (p<0.03; p<0.02; p<0.03), in whom the mean now velocity in the
superior mesenteric vein also decreased after treatment (p<0.05). No s
ignificant differences were noted between treated coeliac patients and
healthy controls. Conclusions-In untreated coeliac disease there is a
hyperdynamic mesenteric circulation that decreases after treatment.