Limb Circulation in Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Blood flow, skin temperature and blood pressure of the lower limbs and the effect of indirect, radiant heat on calf blood flow and leg skin temperature was determined in sixteen children with anorexia nervosa (group A) and fourteen healthy children (group H) of the same age and body height. Calf blood flow as measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Arm blood pressure was obtained by tourniquet and toe pressure and digital plethysmograms by a strain-gauge. Skin temperature was measured with a thermocouple. In group A calf blood flow was about 50--60% lower than the mean values observed in group H and a marked difference was maintained after the heat load. Skin temperature of the knees and toes were higher in group H. Systolic arm blood pressure and toe pressure were on the average 20 mmHg and 13 mmHg lower in group A. It is suggested that there is a heat-conserving, selective peripheral vasoconstriction in the anorexic patients.

Cardiovascular complications of anorexia nervosa: A systematic review

“…It was found that in the anorexia nervosa group calf blood flow was about 50-60% lower than the mean values observed in the control group, and skin temperatures were significantly higher in the control group. These results suggested a heat-conserving, selective peripheral vasoconstriction in the anorexia nervosa patients 71 Similar results have been replicated much more recently by Palova et al who demonstrated not only that flow-mediated vasodilatation is decreased in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls, but also that this abnormality improves following refeeding 72 These findings collectively support the observation that acrocyanosis may occur in the setting of anorexia nervosa. Acrocyanosis is a rare disorder characterized by cyanotic changes and coldness most commonly of the hands but also occurring in the feet and distal parts of the face.…”

Long-term estrogen deficiency lowers regional blood flow, resting systolic blood pressure, and heart rate in exercising premenopausal women

“…Reduced lower limb blood flow responses have also been observed in hypoestrogenic anorexic patients (13) and in postmenopausal women not taking hormone therapy (33). We also observed that reduced peripheral blood flow was associated with decreased local vascular conductance and increased vascular resistance.…”

Malnutrition and Pharmacokinetics of Penicillin in Ethiopian Children

“…Since penicillin is mainly excreted unchanged by the kidneys, this is probably due to a decreased renal function in the malnourished state, a finding also reported earlier (Alleyne 1967). The slight decrease in volume of distribution (V) observed in the malnourished children especially those with marasmus and marasmic kwashiorkor could possibly be explained by an impaired peripheral circulation observed in states of malnutrition (Freyschuss et al 1978). It is certainly unlikely that the decreased V is an effect of increased protein binding since plasma protein by definition is decreased in kwashiorkor.…”