Effect of leg compression on arterial blood pressure in man

ABSTRACT

Ten subjects were fitted with right leg cuffs to provide two levels [60 and 90 mmHg] of leg compression, while cephalic translocation of fluid was prevented by upper-thigh cuffs inflated to supra systolic pressure. Systemic blood pressure, heart rate and CVP were recorded during leg compression before and after the administration of epidural analgesia. Blood pH, bicarbonate and potassium were estimated after thigh cuff inflation and release. Systolic, diastolic and mean pressure were elevated with increasing leg compression with no changes in heart rate, CVP, blood PH, bicarbonate or potassium levels. The leg compression-induced increase in blood pressure was abolished by epidural analgesia. The results indicated that the arterial pressure increases in response to external leg compression and that a reflex mechanism is involved. The pressor response is dependent on the level of external pressure applied