Abstract #0837

Marciani L, Totman J, Foley S, Spiller R, Gowland P, Campbell E

Blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery increases upon a meal challenge. The aim of this study was to use phase contrast MRI to monitor serially the separate haemodynamic responses to a food challenge of the SMA and descending aorta in healthy volunteers. At time t=30 min after feeding we observed a four-fold increase in blood flow in the SMA (p<0.05) and a concomitant 44% decrease in the Aorta (p<0.05). Such non-invasive serial monitoring techniques could have clinical potential in impaired gut blood supply conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, mesenteric ischemia and postprandial hypotension in the aged /diabetic population.