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From the Cattedre di Medicina Interna (C.G., M.F., A.G., S.C., G.M.) and
Ortopedia (M.B., M.D.), Università di Milano and Ospedale S. Gerardo,
Monza; and the Centro di Fisiologia Clinica e Ipertensione, IRCSS Ospedale
Maggiore, Milano (G.M.), Italy.
Correspondence to Professor Giuseppe Mancia, Clinica Medica, Università di Milano, Ospedale S. Gerardo dei Tintori, via Donizetti 106, 20052 Monza, Milano, Italy. E-mail mancia.g{at}imiucca.csi.unimi.it
Abstract
Abstract—Physical training
is associated with an increase in arterial distensibility.
Whether the effect of training on this variable is evident also for
ordinary levels of exercise or no exercise is unknown, however. We have
addressed this issue by investigating the effect on radial artery
distensibility of prolonged monolateral immobilization of the
ipsilateral limb versus the following resumption of normal mobility. We
studied 7 normotensive subjects (age, 25.4±3.0 years;
systolic/diastolic blood pressure,
119±9/68±6 mm Hg, mean±SE) in whom 1 limb had been
immobilized for 30 days in plaster because of a fracture of
the elbow. At both the day after plaster removal and after 45 days of
rehabilitation, radial artery distensibility was evaluated by an
echo-tracking device (NIUS-02), which allows arterial
diameter to be measured noninvasively and continuously over all
pressures from diastole to systole (finger monitoring),
with the distensibility values being continuously derived from the
Langewouters formula. In both instances, the contralateral arm was used
as control. Immediately after removal of the plaster, radial artery
distensibility was markedly less in the previously
immobilized and fractured limb compared with the
contralateral limb (0.4±0.1 versus 0.8±0.1, 1/mm Hg
10-3, P<0.05). After rehabilitation, the
distensibility of the radial artery was markedly increased in the
previously fractured limb (0.65±0.1 1/mm Hg 10-3,
P<0.05), whereas no change was seen in the
contralateral limb. Thus, complete interruption of physical activity is
associated with a marked reduction of arterial
distensibility, indicating that even an ordinary level of activity
plays a major role in modulation of arterial
mechanical properties.
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.
Third Workshop on Structure and Function of Large Arteries: Part III
Effects of Prolonged Immobilization of the Limb on Radial Artery Mechanical Properties
Key Words: arterial distensibility • training • exercise • vessels • circulation
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