The Changes in the Intra-Arterial Pressure during Immersion of the Hand in Ice-Cold Water

Abstract

The response of the intra-arterial pressure to the cold immersion stimulus was studied in 42 healthy young adults, continuous direct (arterial-pressure) recording being used. The average systolic elevation was 22.6 mm. Hg and the average diastolic elevation was 16.3 mm. Hg. The difference between direct and indirect methods of measuring blood pressure was studied in 351 simultaneous determinations in 35 of these young adults. The direct systolic pressure averaged 9.7 mm. Hg higher and the diastolic pressure was 7.3 mm. Hg lower than the indirect measurement.