Application of passive change of extremity posture in registration of intensity of arterial blood flow

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the values of registered intensity of arterial blood flow by plethysmography while various occlusion pressures or passive change of extremity was applied. Measurements was obtained by applying various techniques: 1) by various occlusion intensities: 20, 40 or 70 mmHg; 2) by lowering and tilting-up manoeuvre and 3) by lowering and tilting-up manoeuvre while the limb was occluded by 70mmHg. The results obtained during the study showed that occlusion applied for measuring the intensity of blood flow can be too low or too high and falsify the real values. The lowering and tilt-up manoeuvre presents the highest values obtained without occlusion influence. We suggest using the lowering and tilt-up manoeuvre for measurements of arterial blood flow intensity when it is possible to use.