Differential hyperemic responses following femoral arterial and thigh cuff occlusion in the canine hindlimb

The hyperemic response following arterial reconstruction is variable. To further evaluate this response, arterial blood flows in the canine hindlimb were compared following isolated femoral arterial occlusion and after thigh cuff tourniquet occlusion, which also obstructs collateral circulation. Arterial occlusion and tourniquet occlusion produced significant (P < 0.05) increases in femoral arterial flow after all intervals of occlusion, except following 30 minutes of isolated arterial occlusion. Isolated arterial occlusion and tourniquet occlusion produced comparable hyperemic responses through five minutes of occlusion. However, tourniquet occlusion produced a significantly greater increase (P < 0.05) in femoral flow when occlusions exceeded five minutes. These data suggest that the extent of collateralization may moderate the postobstructive hyperemic response following aortic and femoropopliteal reconstruction. The collateral recruitment during isolated arterial occlusion may be responsible for a diminished hyperemic response with time, while obstruction of the collateral circulation during tourniquet occlusion may result in a greater hyperemic response.