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Venous pressures in the isolated upper limb during saline injection
Canadian Anaesthetists' Society Journal
|July 1, 1984
Summary
This study investigated venous pressure in isolated arms during saline injection. Venous pressure did not exceed tourniquet pressure, suggesting leaks are not due to excessive venous pressure.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Venous system compliance in isolated limbs is not well understood.
- Radiological studies show contrast medium leakage during intravenous injections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate venous pressure changes in an isolated arm during saline injection.
- To determine if venous pressure exceeds tourniquet pressure, potentially causing leaks.
Main Methods:
- Physiological saline was injected into the antecubital vein of isolated, exsanguinated upper limbs in 10 volunteers.
- Venous pressure in the antecubital vein was continuously recorded during and after injection.
Main Results:
- Peak venous pressures reached 190 mmHg but plateaued before injection completion.
- Resting venous pressures ranged from 20 to 50 mmHg post-infusion.
- Venous pressure never approached the applied cuff pressure.
Conclusions:
- Venous pressure in an isolated limb does not exceed tourniquet pressure.
- The mechanism of leakage with an intact tourniquet is not explained by elevated venous pressure in the isolated limb.