DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF SPLANCHNIC BLOOD-FLOW IN CELIAC-DISEASE

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.