[Vascular responses to tilting in paraplegic subject compared to normal (author's transl)]

1 Vascular tone is higher in paraplegics than in normals, both in capacitance and resistance vessels. This is possibly correlated with the increase in circulating catecholamines which has recently been reported. 2 Tilting at 30 degrees from horizontal induces a hydrostatic increase in transmural pressure in the affected vascular bed. This pressure change causes: an initial decrease in resistance, followed by a progressive increase which can be explained by the Bayliss reflex. The time sequence and amplitude of the responses are comparable for normal and paraplegic subjects; an increase in vascular tone of the capacitance vessels (increase in venous pressure, decrease in local blood volume). This response was constantly observed in paraplegic subjects and was absent or weak in normal subjects. 3 In conclusion, reflex changes in vascular tone due to upright posture persist after traumatic section of the spinal chord. Orthostatic hypotension and blood pooling in the lower limbs in paraplegic subjects is probably due primarly to a deficit of the pumping action of the leg muscles.