Superficial hand and foot veins show no difference in sensitivity to constrictor agents

Potential differences in responsiveness of superficial veins from different regions to locally and systemically administered constrictor agents were investigated in healthy male volunteers. Compliance was determined by measuring venous diameter at a constant occlusion pressure. Dose-response curves for locally infused norepinephrine were established in five subjects on superficial hand and foot veins. Slopes of regression lines for norepinephrine log dose-response curves and doses required to produce equal reductions of diameter were virtually identical in both areas. In 12 subjects, 0.5 mg dihydroergotamine and placebo were administered intramuscularly in a double-blind randomized order; the venoconstrictor effect of dihydroergotamine was almost identical on hand and foot veins. Thus despite the marked differences in hydrostatic pressure to which they are exposed, superficial hand and foot veins react in a similar way to the constrictor agents investigated. The findings indicate that the responses of hand veins appear to be representative for superficial veins in other areas of the body.