Cardiovascular homeostasis in hypotension associated with initial stages of severe acute pancreatitis.

Objectives: To identify the mechanisms underlying hypotension during the early phase of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) by analyzing whether an impaired response to vasoactive substances occurs in this pathological process.

Methods: Experimental SAP was induced by infusing 5% sodium taurocholate through the main pancreatic duct in rats. Once mean arterial pressure (MAP) in animals with pancreatitis was reduced, different vasoactive substances and inhibitors were administered.