Effect of occlusion duration on reactive hyperemia in sartorius muscle capillaries

Reactive hyperemia was studied in cat sartorius muscle by measurement of venous outflow and capillary red cell velocity following occlusions of 5-120 s. The peak value for volume flow rose in a graded manner as occlusion duration increased, reaching a level of 280% above control following 120 s of occlusion. By contrast, peak values for capillary flow were 200% above control even after short (10-15 s) occlusions and increased moderately thereafter to 280% above control following 120-s occlusions.