Effects of parasympathetic blockade on hepatic and portal venous flow.

Background/aims: To investigate the effect of parasympathetic blockade on the hepatic circulation, a study was performed in healthy men because the precise knowledge of factors to affect the hepatic circulation is required for the evaluation of liver diseases.

Methodology: Doppler measurements of the hepatic venous and portal venous flow were obtained with measurements of cardiac function before and after the administration of atropine sulfate, 0.02 mg/kg.