Hemodynamic alterations in hemiplegic patients as a cause of edema in lower extremities

The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between the hemodynamic change and the production of edema in the hemiplegic leg. This study was designed to compare the hemodynamics in the involved edematous leg with that in the unaffected non-edematous leg in hemiplegic patient using straingauge plethysmography and photo-plethysmography. Examinations were undertaken in 20 patients with hemiplegia. Arterial Inflow Ratio [healthy side; hemiplegic side (100/ml ml/min)]: 19.2 +/- 16.2; 27.6 +/- 23.4. Venous Distensitivity: 1.5 +/- 0.8; 1.9 +/- 1.0. Maximum Venous Outflow: 90.8 +/- 43.1; 120.0 +/- 52.9. Tissue Flow Ratio: 1.1 +/- 0.5; 1.6 +/- 0.6. The values for hemiplegic side were significantly higher than those for healthy side in all patients. It was confirmed by using photo-plethysmography that none of the patients had arterial obliterative disease. It was suggested that one of the causes of the production of edema in a hemiplegic limb was due to the dilated capillary vessels and congested lower extremity.