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Rheumatology 2002; 41: 730-734
© 2002 British Society for Rheumatology

Original Papers

Superior mesenteric artery blood flow in systemic sclerosis patients

F. Quarto Di Palo, R. Rivolta1, V. Berruti2, M. Caronni2, S. Bazzi2 and R. Scorza2,

Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore di Milano,
1 Servizio di Radiologia, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Carlo Borromeo, Milano and
2 Immunologia Clinica e Allergologia Università di Milano-IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore di Milano, Italy

Objective. Intestinal involvement is frequently observed in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is associated with malnutrition and a decreased survival rate. Vascular lesions are claimed to underlie and precede these changes. The aim of this study was to establish whether a reduced mesenteric blood flow was present in SSc patients with no signs or symptoms of small bowel involvement.

Methods. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow in the fasting state was measured by colour Doppler ultrasonography in 27 SSc patients and in 25 controls. The effect of a balanced liquid meal on mesenteric blood flow was measured in six matched patients and controls.

Results. In fasting SSc patients, there were reductions in mean SMA diameter (P<0.001), blood flow (213±92 vs 398±125 ml/min in controls, P<0.0001) and pulsatility index (3.49±1.0 vs 4.13±0.97 in controls, P<0.07). In both groups, the meal increased basal flow values and the differences between controls and patients in the fasting state were not significant.

Conclusions. In the absence of symptoms of small bowel involvement, reversible SMA vasoconstriction is demonstrable in the fasting state in SSc patients.

KEY WORDS: Systemic sclerosis, Colour Doppler ultrasonography, Mesenteric artery, Mesenteric blood flow.

Correspondence to: R. Scorza, Clinical Immunology and Allergology, University of Milano and IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore di Milano, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milano, Italy.


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