Effect of Venous Pressure on Volume Pulsation

Abstract

In a previous study it was noted that, with ligation of the main venous outlet from the lower extremity of the dog, a marked reduction in peripheral pulse volume occurred.1 The present observations were made to throw some light on the mechanism of these changes.In 14 dogs the volume of pulsations in the hind foot was determined by adapting a specially constructed cellulose-acetate cup to the sensitive plethysmograph of Turner.2 All observations were conducted under ether anesthesia and the operative procedure, consisting of isolation and ligation with silk of the femoral vein at the level of Poupart's ligament, was performed aseptically. Direct venous pressure determinations3 were made in the saphenous vein at heart level before and after the ligation during the continuous determination of pulse volume. All observations were conducted under controlled atmospheric conditions, temperature 75 °F and humidity 50%.Observations were made on 2 groups of dogs: (1) 6 animals with intact sympathetic innervation, an...