J Physiol Boston Smyposia
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


J Physiol Volume 560, Number 1, 317-327, October 1, 2004 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2004.070409
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
560/1/317    most recent
jphysiol.2004.070409v1
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Gisolf, J
Right arrow Articles by Karemaker, J. M
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Gisolf, J
Right arrow Articles by Karemaker, J. M

Human cerebral venous outflow pathway depends on posture and central venous pressure

J Gisolf1, J. J van Lieshout2, K van Heusden3, F Pott4, W. J Stok1 and J. M Karemaker1

Departments of
1 Physiology
2 Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute Amsterdam, the Netherlands
3 Systems and Control Group, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands
4 The Copenhagen Muscle Research Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Internal jugular veins are the major cerebral venous outflow pathway in supine humans. In upright humans the positioning of these veins above heart level causes them to collapse. An alternative cerebral outflow pathway is the vertebral venous plexus. We set out to determine the effect of posture and central venous pressure (CVP) on the distribution of cerebral outflow over the internal jugular veins and the vertebral plexus, using a mathematical model. Input to the model was a data set of beat-to-beat cerebral blood flow velocity and CVP measurements in 10 healthy subjects, during baseline rest and a Valsalva manoeuvre in the supine and standing position. The model, consisting of 2 jugular veins, each a chain of 10 units containing nonlinear resistances and capacitors, and a vertebral plexus containing a resistance, showed blood flow mainly through the internal jugular veins in the supine position, but mainly through the vertebral plexus in the upright position. A Valsalva manoeuvre while standing completely re-opened the jugular veins. Results of ultrasound imaging of the right internal jugular vein cross-sectional area at the level of the laryngeal prominence in six healthy subjects, before and during a Valsalva manoeuvre in both body positions, correlate highly with model simulation of the jugular cross-sectional area (R2 = 0.97). The results suggest that the cerebral venous flow distribution depends on posture and CVP: in supine humans the internal jugular veins are the primary pathway. The internal jugular veins are collapsed in the standing position and blood is shunted to an alternative venous pathway, but a marked increase in CVP while standing completely re-opens the jugular veins.

(Received 21 June 2004; accepted after revision 26 July 2004; first published online 29 July 2004)
Corresponding author J. Gisolf: Department of Physiology, Room M01-07, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Email: j.gisolf{at}amc.uva.nl




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.Home page
C. D. Etz, M. Luehr, F. A. Kari, C. A. Bodian, D. Smego, K. A. Plestis, and R. B. Griepp
Paraplegia after extensive thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair: does critical spinal cord ischemia occur postoperatively?
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., February 1, 2008; 135(2): 324 - 330.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
N. H. Secher, T. Seifert, and J. J. Van Lieshout
Cerebral blood flow and metabolism during exercise: implications for fatigue
J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2008; 104(1): 306 - 314.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
P. Rasmussen, P. Plomgaard, R. Krogh-Madsen, Y.-S. Kim, J. J. van Lieshout, N. H. Secher, and B. Quistorff
MCA Vmean and the arterial lactate-to-pyruvate ratio correlate during rhythmic handgrip
J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2006; 101(5): 1406 - 1411.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
J. Gisolf, A. Gisolf, J. J. van Lieshout, and J. M. Karemaker
The siphon controversy: an integration of concepts and the brain as baffle
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2005; 289(2): R627 - R629.
[Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2004 The Physiological Society.