A cross sectional study of arm venous compliance in fit healthy subjects

Abstract

Purpose: Leg venous compliance decreases with age, but subjects with high fitness show less venous remodelling than unfit subjects. Whether a high fitness level can counteract the normal age-decline in upper arm venous compliance is unknown. Study aim: First, to examine upper arm venous compliance across age in participants with comparable levels of maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max ). Second, to examine if upper arm venous compliance is related to total blood volume. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy fit participants within the age groups 20-39 (young: VO 2max 3.44 (2.35-5.09) L•min -1 , n=9), 40-59 (middle-aged: VO 2max 3.08 (2.17-4.60) L•min -1 , n=9), and 60-69 (old: VO 2max 3.27 (2.24-4.04) L•min -1 , n=10) years of age were recruited to the study. Upper arm venous compliance was examined using high-resolution ultrasound and Doppler, while total blood and plasma volume were measured using the optimized carbon monoxide (CO)-rebreathing method. Results: No difference was found in upper arm venous compliance normalized to blood volume in participants aged 20-69 years (young: 0.22 (-0.02-0.5) mm 3 •mmHg -1 •L -1 , middle aged: 0.05 (-0.1-0.4) mm 3 •mmHg -1 •L -1 , old: 0.16 (0.1-0.5) mm 3 •mmHg -1 •L -1 )with comparable high VO 2max levels. Conclusion:In the studied subjects between 20-70 years old with comparable absolute VO 2max , upper arm venous compliance normalized to blood volume seems to be age independent.

Upper arm venous compliance and fitness in stable coronary artery disease patients and healthy controls

“…Test–retest measurements on venous diameter have been performed previously (Leinan et al ., ) and coefficients of variation for resting and maximal venous diameters were found to be 11·8% and 10·2%, respectively, and correlation coefficients for test–retest were strong (resting diameter r = 0·89, r 2 = 0·79, P = 0·000, and maximal diameter r = 0·9, r 2 = 0·81, P = 0·000). Most diameter values were within ±2 SD from the mean of the difference in the repeated measurements, indicating a good repeatability (Bland & Altman, ).…”

“…The CAD patients were compared to twelve healthy agematched controls (men n = 10, women n = 2) from a previous study (Leinan et al, 2015). The healthy controls were recruited through public announcements in a local newspaper (Adressavisen) and on the university's Internet pages.…”

“…Measurements were taken at the same location on the arm before and after occlusion when measuring both the artery and the vein. The occlusion protocol used to measure venous and arterial diameters and flows is described in detail previously (Leinan et al, 2015).…”

“…Venous compliance (mm 3 mmHg À1 ) is defined as the change in volume (from rest to maximal occlusion) divided by change in venous pressure (from resting venous pressure to venous pressure during occlusion). Venous compliance calculations are described previously (Leinan et al, 2015).…”

“…Scaling procedures make sure that any difference between groups is not a factor of body size (Batterham & George, 1998;Wisloff et al, 2001;Astrand et al, 2003) and that comparisons are possible. Details of the scaling procedure are described previously (Leinan et al, 2015). The participants' body composition was measured using a bioimpedance scale (Omron BF500 Body Composition Monitor, HBF-500-E, Omron Healthcare Co., Kyoto, Tokyo).…”