THE ESOPHAGEAL MUCOSAL HEMODYNAMICS IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

The esophageal mucosal blood volume and the estimated oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillaries were investigated in patients with liver cirrhosis using reflectance spectrohotometry.
In normal controls, the index of esophageal mucosal blood volume was 0.58±0.11 and the estimated oxygen saturation of Hb was 62±7%. These parameters did not changed by aging.
In patients with liver cirrhosis, the index of esophageal mucosal blood volume increased and the estimated oxygen saturation of Hb decreased significantly, when compared with those of controls. The changes in these parameters were greater in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices than in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices.
The results suggested that the esophageal mucosal microcirculation was congested in patients with liver cirrhosis. This may weaken defensive factors, leading to the rupture of the esophageal varix.