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Increased distensibility in dependent veins following prolonged bedrest
Roger Kölegård1, Igor B Mekjavic, Ola Eiken
1Swedish Defence Research Agency, Karolinska Institute, Berzelius v. 13, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. roger.kolegard@ki.se
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|April 7, 2009
Summary
Prolonged bed rest significantly increases the distensibility of leg veins, leading to greater blood pooling when standing up. This finding highlights how inactivity affects vascular function and blood volume distribution.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Prolonged recumbency (bed rest) augments blood displacement to lower body veins upon postural transition.
- Limited data exists on the role of increased venous distensibility in this augmented blood volume shift.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of 5 weeks of horizontal bed rest on the pressure-distension relationship in limb veins.
- To quantify changes in venous distensibility in response to simulated postural changes after bed rest.
Main Methods:
- Subjects underwent 5 weeks of horizontal bed rest.
- Venous distensibility was measured using ultrasonography in brachial and posterior tibial veins.
- Venous distending pressure was altered using a pressure chamber to simulate postural transitions.
Main Results:
- Prior to bed rest, tibial veins showed less distensibility than brachial veins.
- Bed rest significantly increased pressure distension in tibial veins by 86% (7% to 13%).
- Bed rest also increased pressure distension in brachial veins by 36% (14% to 19%).
Conclusions:
- Horizontal bed rest increases the distensibility of dependent limb veins.
- This increased distensibility contributes to augmented blood pooling in lower body veins after prolonged inactivity.
- Findings suggest that reduced gravitational stress during bed rest alters venous compliance.
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