Robert I. Freedman

Changes in the capillary filtration coefficient of cutaneous vessels in women with premenstrual tension

Abstract In an attempt to explain excessive fluid retention, the most common feature in the syndrome of subjective and objective changes called premenstrual tension, we investigated changes in the peripheral circulations of women with this complaint. To obtain evidence on the vascular systems ability to maintain a constant circulating fluid volume, we measured capillary filtration coefficient in the forearm. Women who complained of premenstrual distress showed a significant change in capillary filtration coefficient (CFC) during the month; the lowest CFC values were found immediately after the onset of the menses; the highest values occurred just before the beginning of menstruation. In a group of women who claim to be completely free of the complaint, the CFC was uniform throughout the cycle.

BLOOD FLOW AND VENOUS DISTENSIBILITY IN THE UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES OF NEWBORN INFANTS

Abstract. The electrocapacitance plethysmograph was utilized to measure peripheral blood flow and venous distensibility in 17 newborn infants and 20 adults. Measurements were made in the upper and lower extremities in each subject under identical environmental conditions. Blood flow in the forearm and calf were found to be significantly higher in infants than adults. In infants there were no significant differences in the blood flow between the upper and lower extremities. In contrast, in the adults, the blood flow was significantly higher in the upper than in the lower extremities. Similarly, venous distensibility was observed to be higher in infants than in adults. While no significant differences were observed in the venous distensibility between the upper and lower extremities in infants, the venous distensibility was found to be higher in the forearm than in the leg in adults.