Digital Hemodynamics in the Normotensive and Hypertensive States

Abstract

Rheoplethysmographic studies were conducted to evaluate the digital hemodynamics of the hypertensive state. It is concluded that digital blood flow is similar in normal and hypertensive subjects; digital mean arterial pressures and calculated vascular resistances were significantly elevated in the hypertensive as compared to the normal subject; there is a small but definite increase in digital venous pressure in the hypertensive state; and the digital vasculature and in particular the arteriovenous shunts are otherwise similar in both the normal and the hypertensive subject.