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External compression increases forearm perfusion.
Rolf P Bochmann1, Woldemar Seibel, Elke Haase
1Institute of Physiology, Tehcnical University of Dresden, Germany. rbochman@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|August 6, 2005
Summary
Compression stockings significantly increase forearm arterial perfusion and flow reserve. This finding suggests an autoregulatory response to external pressure, enhancing blood flow in the limbs.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Vascular Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Compression stockings are commonly used for venous return but their arterial effects are unclear.
- Limited data exists on how external pressure from compression impacts local arterial blood flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of external compression on forearm arterial perfusion and arterial flow reserve.
- To test the hypothesis that increased external pressure enhances forearm blood flow.
Main Methods:
- Venous occlusion plethysmography and MRI were used to measure forearm arterial inflow and flow reserve.
- Nine healthy young men applied standardized compression stockings with pressures ranging from 13 to 23 mmHg.
- Measurements were taken after 10 minutes of compression, and also after 3 hours and during hand grip.
Main Results:
- Arterial inflow increased over twofold, from 3.7 to 8.8 ml/min/100ml tissue (P < 0.001).
- Arterial flow reserve also significantly increased from 17.7 to 28.3 ml/min/100ml tissue.
- These increases were sustained and observed with both plethysmography and MRI, with no change in temperature or discomfort.
Conclusions:
- External compression (13-23 mmHg) significantly enhances forearm arterial perfusion.
- The observed increase in blood flow is likely an autoregulatory response to reduced vascular transmural pressure.
- Findings suggest potential benefits of compression beyond venous return, impacting arterial circulation.