Hand arterial blood flow responses to local venous congestion

Hand and forearm blood flows were measured in 12 subjects by means of a range-gated Döppler velocimeter, in basal conditions and after inflation (30, 50, 60, 70, and 90 mmHg) of a venous occlusion cuff on the middle part of the forearm. In basal conditions, there were significant decreases in radial, ulnar, and brachial blood flow after cuff inflation (up to -78, -69, and -31%, respectively). Minimal values were reached in less than 7 s. After occlusion of the circulation of the hand, control brachial blood flow was lowered but not significantly affected by venous distension. The results must be considered and accounted where venous occlusion plethysmography is used to measure segmental blood flow.