A Study to Evaluate Endovascular Ablation of the Right Greater Splanchnic Nerve in Subjects Having Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Overview

About this study

The objective of this clinical evaluation is to assess the safety and initial effectiveness of catheter-based unilateral ablation of the right greater splanchnic nerve (GSN) in subjects having heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria

  • Subjects ≥ 40 years of age.
  • Chronic heart failure defined as:
    • Symptoms of HF requiring current treatment with diuretics for > 30 days; AND
    •  
    • NYHA class II with a history of > NYHA class II in the past year, NYHA class III, or ambulatory NYHA class IV symptoms (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea, dyspnea on mild or moderate exertion) at screening; or signs of HF (any rales post cough, chest x-ray demonstrating pulmonary congestion); AND
  • At least one of the following:
    • ≥ 1 HF hospital admission (with HF as the primary, or secondary diagnosis) within the 12 months prior to study entry;
    • Treatment with intravenous (IV) diuretics, or intensification of oral diuresis for HF in a healthcare facility within the 12 months prior to study entry;
    • NT-pro BNP value > 150 pg/ml in normal sinus rhythm, > 450 pg/ml in atrial fibrillation within the past 6 months;
    • BNP value > 50 pg/ml in normal sinus rhythm, > 150 pg/ml in atrial fibrillation within the past 6 months.
  • Ongoing stable GDMT HF management (unless unable to tolerate GDMT) and management of potential comorbidities according to the 2017 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure, with no significant changes [>100% increase or 50% decrease] for a minimum of 1 month prior to screening, that is expected to be maintained without change for at least 3 months.
  • LVEF ≥ 50% (site determined by TTE) within the past 6 months.
  • Site determined elevated PCWP documented by right heart catheterization with end-expiratory PCWP ≥ 25 mmHg during supine ergometer exercise on the day of the Index procedure or within 24-48 hours of Index procedure.
  • Subject is willing and able to provide appropriate study-specific informed consent, follow protocol procedures, and comply with follow-up visit requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • MI (type I) and/or percutaneous cardiac intervention within 3 months prior to screening, CABG in past 3 months prior to screening, or current indication for coronary revascularization.
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy initiated within 3 months prior to screening.
  • Advanced heart failure defined as one or more of the below:
    • ACC/AHA/ESC Stage D heart failure, non-ambulatory NYHA Class IV HF;
    • Cardiac index < 2.0 L/min/m^2;
    • Inotropic infusion (continuous or intermittent) for LV EF< 30% within 6 months prior to screening;
    • Subject is on the cardiac transplant waiting list.
  • BMI > 45 kg/m^2.
  • 6-minute walk test distance < 100 meters OR distance > 450 meters.
  • Admission for HF within the 30 days prior to planned index procedure.
  • In the last 3 years an ejection fraction below 40%
  • Systolic BP < 100 mmHg or > 170 mmHg despite appropriate medical management.
  • Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic hypotension requiring treatment (orthostatic hypotension is defined as a systolic blood pressure decrease of > 20mmHg and/or increase in heart rate > 20 bpm upon going from supine to standing position).
  • Arterial oxygen saturation < 90 % on room air.
  • Presence of significant valve disease defined by the site cardiologist as:
    • Greater than mild mitral valve stenosi;
    • Greater than moderate mitral valve regurgitation;
    • Greater than moderate to severe tricuspid valve regurgitation;
    • Greater than moderate aortic valve disease.
  • MI (type I) and/or percutaneous cardiac intervention within 3 months prior to screening; CABG in past 3 months prior to screening, or current indication for coronary revascularization.
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy initiated within 3 months prior to screening.
  • Advanced heart failure defined as one or more of the below:
    1. ACC/AHA/ESC Stage D heart failure, non-ambulatory NYHA Class IV HF
    2. Cardiac index < 2.0 L/min/m2
    3. Inotropic infusion (continuous or intermittent) for LV EF< 30% within 6 months prior to screening
    4. Subject is on the cardiac transplant waiting list
  • BMI > 45 kg/m2
  • 6-minute walk test distance < 100 meters OR distance > 450 meters.
  • Admission for HF within the 30 days prior to planned index procedure.
  • In the last 3 years an ejection fraction below 40%
  • Systolic BP < 100 mmHg or > 170 mmHg despite appropriate medical management.
  • Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic hypotension requiring treatment (orthostatic hypotension is defined as a systolic blood pressure decrease of >20mmHg and/or increase in heart rate >20 bpm upon going from supine to standing position).
  • Arterial oxygen saturation < 90 % on room air.
  • Presence of significant valve disease defined by the site cardiologist as:
    • Greater than mild mitral valve stenosis.;
    • Greater than moderate mitral valve regurgitation;
    • Greater than moderate to severe tricuspid valve regurgitation;
    • Greater than moderate aortic valve disease.
  • Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, cardiac amyloidosis, or other infiltrative cardiomyopathy (e.g., hemochromatosis, sarcoidosis).
  • Vessel tortuosity or variant vascular anatomy or IVC filter that could preclude the access or maneuvering of the interventional device from the access site to target vessel.  This includes previous spine surgery that may impact the ability to access and treat the target sites of T11 and T10.
  • Mean right resting atrial pressure (RAP) > 20 mmHg based upon screening right heart catheterization.
  • History of clinically significant liver cirrhosis.
  • Dialysis dependent; or estimated-GFR < 25 ml/min/1.73 m^2 by CKD-EPI creatinine equation.
  • Baseline status ECG with atrial fibrillation with resting HR >100 beats per minute.
  • Chronic pulmonary disease requiring continuous home oxygen OR hospitalization  for exacerbation (including intubation) in the 12 months before study entry OR known history of GOLD Class III or higher COPD.
  • Participating in conflicting investigational drug or device study within 30 days of the screening visit.
  • Life expectancy < 12 months for non-cardiovascular reasons.
  • Any condition, or history of illness or surgery that, in the opinion of the Investigator, might confound the results of the study or pose additional risks to the patient.
  • Females who are pregnant or lactating or planning to become pregnant during the next year.

Eligibility last updated 1/4/22. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Barry Borlaug

Open for enrollment

Contact information:

RST Borlaug Study Team

(507) 255-2200

More information

Publications

  • In heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), excessive redistribution of blood volume into the central circulation leads to elevations of intracardiac pressures with exercise limitations. Splanchnic ablation for volume management (SAVM) has been proposed as a therapeutic intervention. Here we present preliminary safety and efficacy data from the initial roll-in cohort of the REBALANCE-HF trial. Read More on PubMed
  • The "2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure" replaces the "2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure" and the "2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA Focused Update of the 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure." The 2022 guideline is intended to provide patient-centric recommendations for clinicians to prevent, diagnose, and manage patients with heart failure. Read More on PubMed
  • A number of pathologic processes contribute to the elevation in cardiac filling pressures in heart failure (HF), including myocardial dysfunction and primary volume overload. In this review, we discuss the important role of the venous system and the concepts of stressed blood volume and unstressed blood volume. We review how regulation of venous tone modifies the distribution of blood between these 2 functional compartments, the physical distribution of blood between the pulmonary and systemic circulations, and how these relate to the hemodynamic abnormalities observed in HF. Finally, we review recently applied methods for estimating stressed blood volume and how they are being applied to the results of clinical studies to provide new insights into resting and exercise hemodynamics and therapeutics for HF. Read More on PubMed
  • Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction have significant impairment in health-related quality of life. In the EMPEROR-Preserved trial (Empagliflozin Outcome Trial in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction), we evaluated the efficacy of empagliflozin on health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and whether the clinical benefit observed with empagliflozin varies according to baseline health status. Read More on PubMed
  • Circulating blood volume is functionally divided between the unstressed volume, which fills the vascular space, and stressed blood volume (SBV), which generates vascular wall tension and intravascular pressure. With decreases in venous capacitance, blood functionally shifts to the SBV, increasing central venous pressure and pulmonary venous pressures. Obesity is associated with both elevated venous pressure and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). To explore the mechanisms underlying this association, we evaluated relationships between blood volume distribution, venous compliance, and body mass in patients with and without HFpEF. Read More on PubMed
  • Inappropriate control of blood volume redistribution may be a mechanism responsible for exercise intolerance in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We propose to address this underlying pathophysiology with selective blockade of sympathetic signalling to the splanchnic circulation by surgical ablation of the right greater splanchnic nerve (GSN). Read More on PubMed
  • The authors estimated changes of stressed blood volume (SBV) induced by splanchnic nerve block (SNB) in patients with either decompensated or ambulatory heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Read More on PubMed
  • We hypothesized that splanchnic nerve blockade (SNB) would attenuate increased exercise-induced cardiac filling pressures in patients with chronic HF. Read More on PubMed
  • Patients with heart failure (HF) have a poor prognosis and are categorized by ejection fraction (EF). Read More on PubMed
  • Since the inception of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society heart failure (HF) guidelines in 2006, much has changed in the care for patients with HF. Over the past decade, the HF Guidelines Committee has published regular updates. However, because of the major changes that have occurred, the Guidelines Committee believes that a comprehensive reassessment of the HF management recommendations is presently needed, with a view to producing a full and complete set of updated guidelines. The primary and secondary Canadian Cardiovascular Society HF panel members as well as external experts have reviewed clinically relevant literature to provide guidance for the practicing clinician. The 2017 HF guidelines provide updated guidance on the diagnosis and management (self-care, pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, device, and referral) that should aid in day-to-day decisions for caring for patients with HF. Among specific issues covered are risk scores, the differences in management for HF with preserved vs reduced ejection fraction, exercise and rehabilitation, implantable devices, revascularization, right ventricular dysfunction, anemia, and iron deficiency, cardiorenal syndrome, sleep apnea, cardiomyopathies, HF in pregnancy, cardio-oncology, and myocarditis. We devoted attention to strategies and treatments to prevent HF, to the organization of HF care, comorbidity management, as well as practical issues around the timing of referral and follow-up care. Recognition and treatment of advanced HF is another important aspect of this update, including how to select advanced therapies as well as end of life considerations. Finally, we acknowledge the remaining gaps in evidence that need to be filled by future research. Read More on PubMed
  • Heart failure (HF) is a rapidly growing public health issue with an estimated prevalence of >37.7 million individuals globally. HF is a shared chronic phase of cardiac functional impairment secondary to many aetiologies, and patients with HF experience numerous symptoms that affect their quality of life, including dyspnoea, fatigue, poor exercise tolerance, and fluid retention. Although the underlying causes of HF vary according to sex, age, ethnicity, comorbidities, and environment, the majority of cases remain preventable. HF is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and confers a substantial burden to the health-care system. HF is a leading cause of hospitalization among adults and the elderly. In the USA, the total medical costs for patients with HF are expected to rise from US$20.9 billion in 2012 to $53.1 billion by 2030. Improvements in the medical management of risk factors and HF have stabilized the incidence of this disease in many countries. In this Review, we provide an overview of the latest epidemiological data on HF, and propose future directions for reducing the ever-increasing HF burden. Read More on PubMed
  • Patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are supersensitive to volume overload, and a striking increase in left atrial pressure (LAP) often occurs transiently and is rapidly resolved by intravascular volume reduction. The arterial baroreflex is a powerful regulator of intravascular stressed blood volume. We examined whether arterial baroreflex failure (FAIL) mimicked by constant carotid sinus pressure (CSP) causes a striking increase in LAP and systemic arterial pressure (AP) by volume loading in rats with normal left ventricular (LV) function. Read More on PubMed
  • With a prevalence of 5.8 million in the United States alone, heart failure (HF) is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures. Close to 1 million hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF) occur annually, accounting for over 6.5 million hospital days and a substantial portion of the estimated $37.2 billion that is spent each year on HF in the United States. Although some progress has been made in reducing mortality in patients hospitalized with HF, rates of rehospitalization continue to rise, and approach 30% within 60 to 90 days of discharge. Approximately half of HHF patients have preserved or relatively preserved ejection fraction (EF). Their post-discharge event rate is similar to those with reduced EF. HF readmission is increasingly being used as a quality metric, a basis for hospital reimbursement, and an outcome measure in HF clinical trials. In order to effectively prevent HF readmissions and improve overall outcomes, it is important to have a complete and longitudinal characterization of HHF patients. This paper highlights management strategies that when properly implemented may help reduce HF rehospitalizations and include adopting a mechanistic approach to cardiac abnormalities, treating noncardiac comorbidities, increasing utilization of evidence-based therapies, and improving care transitions, monitoring, and disease management. Read More on PubMed
  • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (EF) is a common syndrome, but trends in treatments and outcomes are lacking. Read More on PubMed
  • The conventional reporting of composite endpoints in clinical trials has an inherent limitation in that it emphasizes each patient's first event, which is often the outcome of lesser clinical importance. To overcome this problem, we introduce the concept of the win ratio for reporting composite endpoints. Patients in the new treatment and control groups are formed into matched pairs based on their risk profiles. Consider a primary composite endpoint, e.g. cardiovascular (CV) death and heart failure hospitalization (HF hosp) in heart failure trials. For each matched pair, the new treatment patient is labelled a 'winner' or a 'loser' depending on who had a CV death first. If that is not known, only then they are labelled a 'winner' or 'loser' depending on who had a HF hosp first. Otherwise they are considered tied. The win ratio is the total number of winners divided by the total numbers of losers. A 95% confidence interval and P-value for the win ratio are readily obtained. If formation of matched pairs is impractical then an alternative win ratio can be obtained by comparing all possible unmatched pairs. This method is illustrated by re-analyses of the EMPHASIS-HF, PARTNER B, and CHARM trials. The win ratio is a new method for reporting composite endpoints, which is easy to use and gives appropriate priority to the more clinically important event, e.g. mortality. We encourage its use in future trial reports. Read More on PubMed
  • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is increasingly recognized as a major public health problem worldwide. Significant advances have been made in our understanding of the epidemiology of HFPEF over the past two decades, with the publication of numerous population-based epidemiological studies, large heart failure registries, and randomized clinical trials. These recent studies have provided detailed characterization of larger numbers of patients with HFPEF than ever before. This review summarizes the state of current knowledge with regards to the disease burden, patient characteristics, clinical course, and outcomes of HFPEF. Despite the wealth of available data, substantive gaps in knowledge were identified. These gaps represent opportunities for further research in HFPEF, a syndrome that is clearly a rising societal burden and that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Read More on PubMed
  • When advanced, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is readily apparent. However, diagnosis of earlier disease may be challenging because exertional dyspnea is not specific for heart failure, and biomarkers and hemodynamic indicators of volume overload may be absent at rest. Read More on PubMed
  • Approximately half of all patients with chronic heart failure (HF) have a decreased ejection fraction (EF) (systolic HF [SHF]); the other half have HF with a normal EF (diastolic HF [DHF]). However, the underlying pathophysiological differences between DHF and SHF patients are incompletely defined. The purpose of this study was to use echocardiographic and implantable hemodynamic monitor data to examine the pathophysiology of chronic compensated and acute decompensated HF in SHF versus DHF patients. Read More on PubMed
  • The veins contain approximately 70% of total blood volume and are 30 times more compliant than arteries; therefore, changes in blood volume within the veins are associated with relatively small changes in venous pressure. The terms venous capacity, compliance, and stressed and unstressed volumes are defined. Decreases in flow into a vein are associated with decreases in intravenous pressure and volume, and vice versa. Changes in resistance in the small arteries and arterioles may affect venous return in opposite directions; this is explained by a two-compartment model: compliant (mainly splanchnic veins) and noncompliant (nonsplanchnic veins). Effects of intrathoracic and intraabdominal pressures on venous return and central venous pressure as well as the value of central venous pressure as a diagnostic variable are discussed. Read More on PubMed
  • The management of opiate-dependent intractable abdominal pain caused by chronic pancreatitis remains challenging. The published series on the role, safety, feasibility, and efficacy of thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy are reviewed. Read More on PubMed
  • Weight gain is used by disease-management programs as a marker of heart failure decompensation, but little information is available to quantify the relationship between weight change in patients with heart failure and the risk for imminent hospitalization. Read More on PubMed
  • The prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction may be changing as a result of changes in population demographics and in the prevalence and treatment of risk factors for heart failure. Changes in the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction may contribute to changes in the natural history of heart failure. We performed a study to define secular trends in the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction among patients at a single institution over a 15-year period. Read More on PubMed
  • This study examined the characteristics of continuously measured right ventricular (RV) hemodynamic information derived from an implantable hemodynamic monitor (IHM) in heart failure patients. Read More on PubMed
  • Clinical trials often assess therapeutic benefit on the basis of an event such as death or the diagnosis of disease. Usually, there are several additional longitudinal measures of clinical status which are collected to be used in the treatment comparison. This paper proposes a simple non-parametric test which combines a time to event measure and a longitudinal measure so that a substantial treatment difference on either of the measures will reject the null hypothesis. The test is applied on AIDS prophylaxis and paediatric trials. Read More on PubMed
  • We studied whether direct assessment of the hemodynamic response to exercise could improve the prognostic evaluation of patients with heart failure (HF) and identify those in whom the main cause of the reduced functional capacity is related to extracardiac factors. Read More on PubMed
  • The study was undertaken to quantitate the effects of thoracoscopic splanchnic nerve resection (SPL) on pain from chronic pancreatitis. Read More on PubMed
  • One of the most important consequences of acute left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) is pulmonary edema resulting from a rise in pulmonary venous pressure (PVP). It is generally believed that the PVP rise is a direct hemodynamic consequence of LVD. While this paradigm seems plausible, especially if the LV is viewed as a sump pump, there is no specific evidence to support this simple explanation. A theoretical analysis was performed to assess the hemodynamic mechanisms responsible for the dramatic rise in PVP after acute LVD. The ventricles were modeled as time-varying elastances; pulmonary and systemic vascular systems were modeled as series of resistive and capacitive elements. In response to a 50% decrease in LV contractile strength [end-systolic elastance (Ees)], cardiac output (CO) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) dropped substantially, while PVP increased minimally from its baseline of 12 to approximately 15 mmHg. With LV Ees set at 50% of normal, the effects of sympathetic activation were tested. When heart rate and total peripheral resistance were increased, CO and MAP improved, yet PVP still did not rise. The only intervention that caused a substantial increase in PVP was to simulate the decrease in unstressed volume (VU) of the venous system known to occur with sympathetic activation. When VU was decreased by about 15-20% (comparable to experimentally observed shifts with acute heart failure), PVP increased above 25 mmHg. The effects of pericardial constraints were investigated, and the results suggest a major role of this organ in determining the overall hemodynamic response to acute LVD, sympathetic activation, and explaining the responses to therapy. Thus this analysis suggests that elevations of PVP do not occur simply as a direct hemodynamic consequence of acute LVD. Rather, changes in PVP may be dictated more by sympathetic control on venous capacity. If confirmed, recognition of this as a primary mechanism may prove important in directing development of new therapies and in understanding the mechanisms of disease progression in heart failure. Read More on PubMed
  • The changes in cardiac output and mean right atrial pressure (R.A.P.) evoked at different circulating blood volumes by stimulation of the splanchnic sympathetic nerves were investigated in adrenalectomized cats under chloralose anaesthesia, with unopened chests and spontaneous respiration and with active vascular reflexes. The cardiac autonomic nerves were cut or blocked pharmacologically. Stimulation of the distal ends of the splanchnic nerves at 4 Hz caused aortic pressure and R.A.P. to rise to maximum values at 2 min before declining slowly. Cardiac output rose more slowly to a steady state at 3 min; at higher circulating volumes it fell initially. Although the output increments were slower in development they were better sustained than those in total peripheral resistance. The proportionate output increments were largest and the R.A.P. increments least at low circulating volumes whereas at high volumes the R.A.P. increments were large but the output changes were small or negative; the pattern of changes resembled that resulting from infusion of blood. Stimulation of the cardiac sympathetic nerves evoked a rise in output and a fall in R.A.P. related in magnitude to the initial value of R.A.P. On simultaneous stimulation of the splanchnic and cardiac sympathetic nerves the changes in output combined whereas the R.A.P. changes cancelled, to give output increments of 25-50% with little change in R.A.P. at all circulating volumes. At high circulating volumes infusion of blood did not usually alter output or aortic pressure, but splanchnic nerve stimulation increased peripheral resistance and aortic pressure and commonly evoked a rise in left ventricular stroke work which could not be accounted for by known adrenergic mechanisms or by elevation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Portal venous pressure was consistently elevated by splanchnic nerve stimulation; it rose more slowly than did aortic pressure or R.A.P. and was independent of a changing central venous pressure provided this did not exceed +5 mmHg. The cardiac output increments were not related to changes in the ratio between the input and output resistances of the portal vein and it is concluded that displacement blood from the peripheral to the central vasculature was induced by contraction capacitance vessels. Read More on PubMed
  • A blood reservoir is an organ or region containing a significant portion of the blood volume that can be mobilized by the sympathetic nervous system to subserve overall cardiovascular homeostasis. To be effective, the reservoir must be as insensitive as possible to the passive effects of changes in flows or external pressures. Evidence is presented that the splanchnic venous bed fulfills these criteria. Hepatic venous resistance maintains portal pressure and intrinsic hepatic arterial mechanisms maintain total hepatic flow. These mechanisms minimize passive effects of portal flow changes on splanchnic blood volume, whereas enclosure of the liver in the peritoneal cavity minimizes effects of external pressures. Up to 27% of total blood volume can be mobilized from the splanchnic venous bed by sympathetic stimulation. Maintenance of cardiac preload depends on the ability of the central nervous system to control venous compliance and hence to redistribute blood volume between peripheral organs and the cardiopulmonary compartment. Three examples of the role of the splanchnic blood reservoir in overall homeostasis are discussed: hemorrhage, splanchnic nerve stimulation, and responses to epinephrine. Reflex and central control of the splanchnic blood reservoir are discussed but available information is fragmentary. Read More on PubMed
  • 1. These experiments were designed to measure how much blood is mobilized from or pooled in the liver, spleen and gastro-intestinal tract to compensate for a haemorrhage or infusion of blood.2. Hepatic volume, splenic weight and intestinal volume were recorded in cats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone. Whole blood was removed or infused at rates of 0.5-0.6 ml. kg(-1).min(-1) until 10 ml./kg (19% blood volume) had been removed or 18 ml./kg (34% blood volume) had been infused. These blood volume changes produced only small changes in arterial and portal pressures except after removal of 8 ml./kg (15% blood volume) when arterial pressure began to decrease rapidly.3. With small haemorrhages of up to 4% blood volume, the liver contributed 16%, the gastro-intestinal tract 23% and the spleen a negligible proportion of the blood volume removed. With haemorrhages of 15% blood volume, the liver contributed 21%, the gastro-intestinal tract 22% and the spleen 19% of the volume removed; a total splanchnic contribution of 62%.4. During infusions of 5-18 ml./kg (10-34% blood volume), the liver pooled 20%, the gastro-intestinal tract 40% and the spleen 6% of the volume infused; a total splanchnic contribution of 66%.5. It is concluded that the splanchnic bed mobilizes or pools up to 65% of the volume of blood removed from or infused into the cats. The mechanisms responsible for this blood reservoir function are discussed. While several factors may be involved, it seems likely that a reflex regulation involving atrial receptors and the sympathetic innervation of the splanchnic capacitance vessels is of predominant importance. Read More on PubMed