THE ACCELERATION OF LINEAR FLOW IN THE DEEP VEINS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY OF MAN BY LOCAL COMPRESSION 1

Abstract

The linear velocity of venous flow in the lower extremities of man was studied by timing the progression of an injd. dose of dio-drast over a given distance via serial roentgenograms; by measuring the time required for Evans Blue Dye (T-1824) to appear in samples of blood from the femoral vein after it had been injd. into a vein on the dorsum of the foot; and indirectly by the foot to tongue (decholin Na) circulation time. Pressurizing the limb at 20 mm. Hg applied either through the legging of a G-suit or serially applied blood pressure cuffs resulted in an increase in linear velocity of venous flow in the lower extremity. Control observations in the opposite limb suggest that the observed acceleration was due to the application of pressure. Incidental observations suggested that in older age group patients anatomical abnormalities of the deep venous system may predispose to venous stasis.