Changes in renal artery resistance after meal-induced splanchnic vasodilatation in cirrhotic patients.

Purpose: A relationship between vasomotor tone changes in mesenteric and renal vessels in cirrhotic patients has been suspected but remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess by duplex Doppler sonography the changes in the circulatory resistance of the renal arteries and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) following meal-induced splanchnic vasodilatation.

Methods: Twenty-seven cirrhotic patients and 15 healthy volunteers with no hepatic or renal dysfunction were prospectively included in the study.