Blood pressure, flow, and elastic properties in microvessels of cat omentum.

INTAGLIETTA, M., D. R. RICHARDSON, AND W. R. TOMPKINS, Blood pressure, flow, and ehtic properties in microvessels of cut omentum. Am. J. Physiol. 221(3): 922-928. 1971.-Pressure was measured in vivo in the microvessels of the cat omentum with a servonulling instrument. Velocity of red blood cells was determined simultaneously by an online dual-slit photometric technique. Cross correlation with the pressure recorded in the abdominal aorta allowed reconstruction of wave forms and preservation of phase shifts. Pulsatile components were found to persist through the microcirculation. The phase shift was found to increase progressively toward the venous end, suggesting that pulsatile components are transmitted along the vascular tree. Since the phase shift found corresponds to that of a very compliant microvasculature, it is suggested that the Starling type balance between colloid and hydraulic pressures in conjunction with the magnitude of the filtration constant produces a compliancelike effect as a consequence of the pulsatile pressure prevalent: in the microcirculation.