Blood flow and distribution in the canine pancreas

Because of a tripartite arterial inflow, accurate determination of canine pancreatic blood flow (Q_p) in experimental studies remains problematic. Assessment of blood flow using a single electromagnetic flow probe on the anterior pancreaticoduodenal artery (APDA) was compared to the radiolabeled microsphere method. Distribution of Q_p was based on microsphere density. Q_p determined simultaneously with the flow probe technique and the microsphere method were 86 ± 17 and 23 ± 8 ml/min, respectively, (P < 0.05). Following occlusion of the splenic artery (SA) and the posterior pancreaticoduodenal artery (PPDA), Q_p measured by the flow probe increased to 94 ± 27 ml/min (NS) and decreased to 19 ± 4 ml/min (NS) using microspheres. Intrapancreatic distribution of Q_p was not significantly altered by occlusion of the SA and PPDA. Intrapancreatic arterial collateral is adequate to maintain blood flow to the entire pancreas even when arterial inflow is restricted to the APDA. Flow probe determinations of Q_p are artifactually high because they include flow to the duodenum and may also be subject to methodologic error.