Regional differences in peripheral circulation between upper and lower extremity in patients with cirrhosis

In 42 patients with compensated cirrhosis and 31 control subjects, blood flow (BF) and vascular resistance (VR) were measured at the forearm and calf, using a pneumoplethysmograph. In some of the subjects deep-body temperature (DBT) was also measured by the zero heat flow method. In cirrhosis, BF and DBT were significantly higher and VR was significantly lower in the forearm than in the calf. Corresponding differences were not observed in control subjects. When these indices of the forearm were compared between cirrhosis and controls, BF and DBT were significantly higher and VR was significantly lower in cirrhosis than in controls. In cirrhotics in whom the gradient between forearm BF and calf BF was 1 ml.dl-1.min-1 or more (forearm greater than calf), the vascular response of the forearm to cold stimulation was reduced, whereas in the remaining patients and in controls the forearm BF and VR responded significantly. These results suggest that there is a regional difference in peripheral circulation in cirrhotics, partly with participation of impaired sympathetic nervous activity, which may account for the selective distribution observed in the clinical manifestations of vascular spider, palmar erythema, and warm hand, inclined toward the upper extremities or the upper part of the body.