Experimental evaluation of an endoscopic balloon for measurement of oesophageal varix pressure

97 RENAL CONTRIBUTION TC IN PATIENTS

SYMPATHETIC OVERACTIVITY

WITH CIRRHOSIS

c. Gaudin, A. Braillon. It. Moreau. D. Roulot, A. 9riadenue. D. France. The purpose of this study was to estimate the relative contribution of the kidneys to overall sympathetic activity in a large series of cirrhoticpatients. In 55 patients with cirrhosis, plasma norepinephrineconcentrations(PNCI were measured by HPLC with electrochemical detection in the right

renal

vein

and

in

the

pulmonary

artery.

Following values were calculated: plasWl norepinrphtinerenal outflow = PNC in the right renal vein x renal plasma flow (PAH clearance and extraction method); total plasma norepinephrineflow = PNC in the pulmonary artery Y cardiac output x (1-M.). Results are mean + SE. PNC was significantly higher in the right renal vein than in the pulmonary artery (803 + 54 and

608 f 47 pghl.

respectively).

Total

phsma

norepinephrine flow was 3073 +-271. Plasma norepinephrine renal outflow was 480 + 50. The ratio between these two values ranged from 3 to 491. Total plasma norepinephrine flow was significantly correlated with renal norepinephrine outflow (r-=0.663; p
EXPERIMENTAL

EVALUATION

FOR MEASUREMENT

OF AN ENDOSCOPIC

OF OESOPHAGEU.

BALLOON

VARIX PRESSURE.