ARTERIAL BLOOD FLOW PATTERNS IN HUMAN SUBJECTS AND THEIR EFFECT ON INDICATOR DILUTION CURVES FROM VARIOUS ARTERIAL SITES*

Abstract

Comparison of simultaneous indicator dilution curves obtained from the femoral artery and the radial or brachial artery in man indicate that the effect of arterial passage may result in significant variation of curve parameters from the latter two sites. Radiographic and hydraulic analogue techniques were used to elucidate the possible effects of passage through an elastic system with pulsatile flow. Delayed inscription of the curve and associated smearing or skewing as compared with a simultaneous femoral artery curve was concluded to be related, when present, to local alterations of flow, described in general terms as increased ration of systolic uptake to flow, U/F. In the absence of definite severe arterial anomolies or degenerative changes, the curve obtained from the femoral artery may be considered as an accurate representation of the original curve as it emerged from the heart and entered the aorta. Possible errors of Stewart volume estimation as well as other frequently measured parameters may occur when arterial sampling is from the brachial or radial artery.