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A tale of three cuffs: the hemodynamics of blood flow restriction

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The blood flow response to relative levels of blood flow restriction (BFR) across varying cuff widths is not well documented. With the variety of cuff widths and pressures reported in the literature, the effects of different cuffs and pressures on blood flow require investigation.

Purpose

To measure blood pressure using three commonly used BFR cuffs, examine possible venous/arterial restriction pressures, and measure hemodynamic responses to relative levels of BFR using these same cuffs.

Methods

43 participants (Experiment 1, brachial artery blood pressure assessed) and 38 participants (Experiment 2, brachial artery blood flow assessed using ultrasound, cuff placed at proximal portion of arm) volunteered for this study.

Results

Blood pressure measurement was higher in the 5 cm cuff than in the 10 and 12 cm cuffs. Sub-diastolic relative pressures appear to occur predominantly at <60% of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP). Blood flow under relative levels of restriction decreases in a non-linear fashion, with minimal differences between cuffs [resting: 50.3 (44.2) ml min−1; 10% AOP: 42.0 (36.8); 20%: 33.6 (28.6); 30%: 23.6 (20.4); 40%: 17.1 (15.9); 50%: 12.5 (9.4); 60%: 11.5 (8.1); 70%: 11.4 (7.0); 80%: 10.3 (6.3); 90%: 7.9 (4.8); 100%: 1.5 (2.9)]. Peak blood velocity remains relatively constant until higher levels (>70% of AOP) are surpassed. Calculated mean shear rate decreases in a similar fashion as blood flow.

Conclusions

Under relative levels of restriction, pressures from 40 to 90% of AOP appear to decrease blood flow to a similar degree in these three cuffs. Relative pressures appear to elicit a similar blood flow stimulus when accounting for cuff width and participant characteristics.

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Abbreviations

AOP:

Arterial occlusion pressure

BFR:

Blood flow restriction

FLOW:

Blood flow

LoA:

Line of agreement

TAMAX:

Time-averaged maximum velocity

TAMEAN:

Time-averaged mean velocity

TPR:

Total peripheral resistance

SR:

Shear rate

V PEAK :

Peak blood velocity

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Acknowledgements

No funding was used in the completion of these studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA

    J. Grant Mouser, Scott J. Dankel, Matthew B. Jessee, Kevin T. Mattocks, Samuel L. Buckner & Jeremy P. Loenneke

  2. Integrative Muscle Biology Laboratory, Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    Brittany R. Counts

Authors
  1. J. Grant Mouser
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  2. Scott J. Dankel
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  3. Matthew B. Jessee
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  4. Kevin T. Mattocks
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  5. Samuel L. Buckner
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  6. Brittany R. Counts
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  7. Jeremy P. Loenneke
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Correspondence to Jeremy P. Loenneke.

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Additional information

Communicated by Massimo Pagani.

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Mouser, J.G., Dankel, S.J., Jessee, M.B. et al. A tale of three cuffs: the hemodynamics of blood flow restriction. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 1493–1499 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3644-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3644-7

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