Vascular Impedance of the Femoral Bed

Abstract

Pressure/flow relationships in the femoral artery have been expressed as the vascular impedance of the femoral bed. The results obtained were consistent and reproducible under control conditions with irregular as well as with regular heart rates; vasoconstriction and vasodilation caused the changes in vascular impedance predicted from theoretical principles. In a mathematical model similar results were obtained when realistic values of the dimensions and physical properties of the femoral vascular bed were used. Arterial pressure/flow relationships expressed as vascular impedance provide valuable information on the properties of the vascular bed beyond.