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How do veins talk to arteries?

John M. Johnson

Acute venous congestion of a limb leads to localized vasoconstriction (Skagen, 1983; Henriksen, 1991; Vissing & Secher, 1997). This response exists in all tissues of the limbs, including subcutaneous adipose, muscle and skin. The general nature suggests similar mechanisms. Graded lowering of the limb from above to below heart level has little effect on blood flow until veins are no longer collapsed and venous pressure and volume rise. At that time there is a sharp increase in vascular resistance and a frank reduction in blood flow (Henriksen, 1991). Myogenic mechanisms probably explain the constant flow phase but not the period of significantly reduced blood flow.