Mechanism of blood flow in veins of abdomen and lower extremities.

Abstract

THIS paper seeks to give information on the purely physical factors which cause, regulate and resist blood flow in veins of the abdomen and the lower extremities. It is based in part on experiments which I have done at various times and, in addition, on all pertinent data which I could discover in recently published papers on this subject. The experiments facilitate understanding of the problems discussed and, though simple, have complicated implications of clinical importance. They involve the following points: 1. The blood flow in the abdominal veins (a) in the portal vein (b) in the vena cava 2. Bleeding from esophageal varices 3. The effect of the Eck fistula on blood flow from the portal vein into the liver 4. The formation and mechanical effects of ascitic fluid 5. The blood flow from the lower extremities into the abdomen 6. The cause of varicose veins THE PROBLEM OF