Removal of exogenous plasma triglycerides in splanchnic viscera in man during anesthesia.

Abstract

Abstract. The role of the splanchnic viscera and the liver in removal of an artificial fat emulsion lntralipid® has been studied in anesthetized man. Ten males and six females were studied. During operation for cholecystectomy catheters were placed into an artery, the portal and the hepatic veins. During a constant i.v. infusion of lntralipid® the concentration of the fat emulsion was determined by nephelometry in blood plasma sampled at intervals from these three vessels. Splanchnic plasma flow was estimated simultaneously. During the infusion a constant concentration of lntralipid® was found in the blood. The splanchnic flow was not affected by the infusion of the fat emulsion. The difference in mean arterio‐portal concentration of lntralipid® was 69±15 μmol/1 at 20 and 31 min, corresponding to a removal of 5.3±1.2% of the arterial concentration (p< 0.001). The amount of infused lntralipid® removed per minute was 35±8 μmol. corresponding to 25±6% of the infused quantity (p<0.001). No significant changes of mean concentration were observed between the portal and the hepatic veins.