Effects of Vasopressin and Nitroglycerine in Combination on Splanchnic Blood Flow, and on Hepatic and Portal Venous Pressures in Liver Resection

The patients in this study (undergoing elective liver resection) will be anesthetized according to routine practice in our hospital. A radial arterial catheter and a central venous catheter will be inserted, as well as a femoral arterial catheter for Picco monitoring. After the dissection phase, catheters will be inserted in the portal and hepatic veins by the surgeon. Base line data (HR, CVP, MAP, CO from thermodilution, portal and hepatic venous pressure, blood gases from radial artery, vena cava superior, hepatic vein and portal vein) will be obtained twice, with 10 minutes of steady state in between. An infusion of vasopressin 4,8 U/h will then be started and continued for 20 minutes. Data will be collected again, and an infusion of nitroglycerine (to a target of MAP 60 mmHg) will be added. After 5 minutes of steady MAP 55-65, the last set of data is collected. 12 Patients will be recruited, and the total data collection is estimated to be completed and assessed after six to nine months.