PROPERTIES OF THE VENOUS VASCULAR SYSTEM IN THE LOWER-EXTREMITIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH PARAPLEGIA

The purpose of this study was to examine the properties of the venous vascular system in the lower extremities of individuals with long-stan ding paraplegia (PP). The venous volume variations (VVV), the venous c apacity (VC), the venous emptying rate (VER) and the venous flow resis tance (VFR) were measured in the left calf of 14 male PP and 12 male a ble-bodied subjects (ABS) by means of strain-gauge occlusion plethysmo graphy. VVV and VC were significantly lower in PP compared to ABS, -45 % and -50% respectively. Both groups showed a similar resting venous p ressure in the calf (PP = 24.4 mmHg; ABS = 19.6 mmHg). VER was signifi cantly lower (-60%) and hence VFR was significantly higher (+75%) in P P compared to ABS. This study demonstrates that the venous vascular pr operties in the legs of individuals with paraplegia have changed, i.e. a decrease in venous distensibility and capacity and an increase in v enous flow resistance. This is most probably the result of vascular ad aptations to inactivity and muscle atrophy rather than the effect of a non-working leg-muscle pump and sympathetic denervation.