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Radial and ulnar artery dominance in normal digits
J M Kleinert1, S G Fleming, C S Abel
1Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Micro Surgery, Louisville, Ky.
The Journal of Hand Surgery
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Pulse volume plethysmography reveals that most individuals exhibit radial artery dominance in their digits, correlating with reduced cold intolerance. This study highlights vascular patterns in the hand.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology
- Human physiology
Background:
- Diminished pulse contours are more prevalent in females and associated with cold intolerance.
- Understanding digital artery dominance is crucial for assessing hand vascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relative blood flow to each digit using pulse volume plethysmography.
- To investigate the prevalence of radial versus ulnar artery dominance in the hand.
Main Methods:
- Pulse volume plethysmography performed on 1249 digits across 125 volunteers.
- Vessel dominance assessed by comparing pulse volume plethysmography amplitudes during radial or ulnar artery compression in hands without vasospasm.
Main Results:
- 87% of thumbs and 70.5% of index fingers showed radial artery dominance.
- Significant association between diminished pulse contours, female sex, and cold intolerance.
- Complete radial artery dominance observed in 28% of hands; ulnar artery dominance in all digits was rare (5%).
Conclusions:
- The radial artery is the dominant supplier of blood flow to most digits.
- Vascular patterns identified may inform clinical assessments of hand circulation and cold sensitivity.