THE ROLE OF ARTERIOVENOUS ANASTOMOSES IN COLD-INDUCED VASODILATION, REWARMING, AND REACTIVE HYPEREMIA AS DETERMINED BY24Na CLEARANCE

Abstract

The rate of removal of24Na from a deposit in the rabbit's foot was used to determine the degree of involvement of arteriovenous anastomoses in the blood flow of cold-induced vasodilation, in the rewarming following intense vasoconstriction, and in reactive hyperemia. The results indicate that in the first two cases the total flow is through the arteriovenous anastomoses. In reactive hyperemia an initial flow which is partly capillary and partly through the anastomoses gives way to a flow which is entirely through the anastomoses.