ASYSTOLIC ARTERIAL PRESSURE GRADIENT AS A MEASURE OF LOCAL PERIPHERAL RESISTANCE

Abstract

The asystolic arterial pressure gradient is defined as the descending curve of intra-arterial pressure following sudden occlusion of a major artery. Gradients were obtained in the brachial, femoral, renal, and mesenteric arteries of dogs, with a Hamilton manometer, supplemented in a few instances with simultaneous measurements of blood flow with a rotameter. Evidence is presented that the gradient can be used as a measure of changes in the peripheral resistance of local areas of the circulation, and the hemodynamic factors involved in the contour of the gradient are discussed.