Exsanguination of the limbs in elderly volunteers

We have evaluated the efficiency of exsanguination of the limbs in ten volunteers with a median age of 83 (range 76-86) years using Esmarch bandage or simple elevation. Changes in blood volume were evaluated using a scintigraphic technique based on an autologous injection of 99 mTc-labelled erythrocytes. In both upper (P<0.001) and lower (P<0.001) limbs, Esmarch bandage was significantly more effective than elevation. In lower limbs, there was a significant difference in reduction of blood volume between 5 s and 15 s of elevation (P<0.01).