Properties of the venous vascular system in the lower extremities of individuals with paraplegia

Abstract

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