External compression increases forearm perfusion

Abstract

Application of compression stockings to the lower extremities is a widely used therapeutic intervention to improve venous return, but there is little information about the effects of compression on local arterial perfusion. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that a positive external pressure increases forearm perfusion. The relation of increasing external pressure induced by standardized compression to the arterial inflow and arterial flow reserve of the forearm was critically evaluated in a group of healthy young men (n = 9). Flow was measured with venous occlusion plethysmography after a 10-min application of six different stockings with compression pressure increasing from 13 to 23 mmHg. During compression, the arterial inflow increased significantly from 3.7 +/- 0.85 to 8.8 +/- 2.01 ml.min(-1).100 ml tissue(-1) (P < 0.001) and the arterial flow reserve increased from 17.7 +/- 4.7 to 28.3 +/- 7.0 ml.min(-1).100 ml tissue(-1). The flow increase was persistent after 3 h of constant application of external pressure and also during simultaneous low-intensity hand grip. Similar results obtained with occlusion plethysmography were seen with MRI. During the interventions, forearm temperature was unchanged, and the volunteers reported no discomfort. In conclusion, 1) arterial perfusion of the human forearm increases more than twofold during application of external compression over a pressure range of 13-23 mmHg, and 2) the result is interpreted as an autoregulatory response following the decrease of the vascular transmural pressure gradient.

Effect of lower limb compression on blood flow and performance in elite wheelchair rugby athletes

“…To date, it has not been clear whether these cardiovascular alterations are associated with changes in upper body exercise capacity and physical performance, however, there is evidence that compression garments have a positive effect on physical performance in able-bodied athlete populations. [17][18][19] The present study established that wearing compression socks resulted in an improved maintenance of upper body submaximal exercise performance during wheelchair exercise. This finding was accompanied by an increase in arm blood flow suggesting that the improved maintenance of exercise capacity may have been mediated by a more efficient distribution of blood flow to the working muscles during exercise.…”

Impact of 2‐Weeks Continuous Increase in Retrograde Shear Stress on Brachial Artery Vasomotor Function in Young and Older Men

“…Previous work on this topic found that external compression on a limb leads to a decrease (40 to 84 mm Hg compression),41 no change (≈37 mm Hg compression),42 or increase (13 to 23 mm Hg compression)43 in resting limb blood flow. The conflicting results may relate to differences in techniques, protocols, populations, types of garment, and the range and duration of compression levels.…”

Pressure and coverage effects of sporting compression garments on cardiovascular function, thermoregulatory function, and exercise performance

“…Possible influences of greater body coverage appear unknown despite being of principal importance. Augmented local perfusion has been reported for the forearm and leg (Bochmann et al 2005;Mayrovitz and Larsen 1997), and may account for increases in muscle oxygenation (calf) at rest (Bringard et al 2006a). Data on cardiovascular strain during exercise are typically limited to heart rate (HR), and indicate no significant effect during various forms of running (Ali et al 2007(Ali et al , 2010Bringard et al 2006b;Duffield et al 2008;Duffield and Portus 2007;Goh et al 2010;Higgins et al 2009;Houghton et al 2009;Kemmler et al 2009) and cycling (Scanlan et al 2008).…”