Congestive Gastropathy versus Chronic Gastritis: A Comparison of Some Pathophysiological Aspects

Abstract

In order to investigate some pathophysiological aspects of the two diseases, 15 patients with congestive gastropathy and 15 with chronic gastritis have been studied and compared with 15 healthy controls. Gastric blood flow as determined during endoscopy by means of laser Doppler flowmetry was found to be significantly increased (p < 0.001) in congestive gastropathy, whereas a significant reduction (p < 0.001) was noted in chronic gastritis. On the other hand, Helicobacter pylori was detected in 80% of cases in chronic gastritis, while the prevalence of the microorganism in congestive gastritis was similar to that in healthy controls. It is concluded that chronic gastritis and congestive gastropathy are related to different pathogenetic factors and require different therapeutic approaches.

Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy

“…On the other hand, the problem regarding whether or not the GMBF changes in portal hypertension is still controversial [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. It is interesting to note, however, that even though the GMBF was investigated by five groups [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]using the same laser Doppler flowmetry device and endoscopic probe, their results were conflicting.…”

“…It is interesting to note, however, that even though the GMBF was investigated by five groups [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]using the same laser Doppler flowmetry device and endoscopic probe, their results were conflicting. In the fundus, which is the area most frequently recognized to be associated in PHG, Ohta et al [3]and Guslandi et al [6]reported the GMBF to increase while Iwao et al [7]reported that the GMBF did ot change. In the corpus, Panés et al [4]reported an increase in the GMBF while Ohta et al [3]reported an unchanged GMBF, and Kotzampassi et al [5]and Iwao et al [7]reported a decrease in the GMBF.…”

“…In the corpus, Panés et al [4]reported an increase in the GMBF while Ohta et al [3]reported an unchanged GMBF, and Kotzampassi et al [5]and Iwao et al [7]reported a decrease in the GMBF. In the antrum, Kotzampassi et al [5]and Guslandi et al [6]reported an increase in the GMBF, Ohta et al [3]reported an unchanged GMBF, and Iwao et al [7]reported a decrease in the GMBF. The gastric mucosal hemoglobin values may thus play an important role in resolving this inconsistency.…”

“…According to Panés et al [4], based on comparative research with reflectance spectrophotometry, a decrease in the GMBF and the lower gastric mucosal hemoglobin values closely correlated with each other. However, Ohta et al [3]and Guslandi et al [6]reported the hemoglobin values to not be significantly different in cirrhotics either with or without PHG. Moreover, the findings that the mucosal changes and bleeding from PHG are due to local ischemia [5, 7]are inconsistent with the lack of any reduction in the gastric intramucosal pH as measured by tonometry [28].…”

“…The findings of various hemodynamic studies on PHG remain controversial [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Some studies have reported that the gastric mucosal blood flow increases in patients with PHG [3, 4, 5, 6]while others have reported that it decreases [7]. Morphological studies have shown PHG to be characterized by marked dilatation of the mucosal and submucosal vessels without any inflammation [1, 8].…”