Biphasic responses of the brachial artery diameter following forearm occlusion: a blunted response in the elderly.
BACKGROUND
The purpose was to examine the temporal response of the brachial artery diameter following 5 minutes of forearm occlusion in young men. A secondary objective was to compare the main features of the temporal pattern between young and old.


METHODS
Sixteen young (28 +/- 8 yrs) and fifteen older (85 +/- 8 yrs) men underwent high-resolution ultrasonography of the brachial artery before and after five minutes of forearm occlusion.


RESULTS
Following release of the pressure cuff the brachial artery diameter exhibits a temporal biphasic response. Initially, there is a significant reduction in brachial diameter (NIL) compared to baseline (BASE), followed by a rapid increase to a PEAK at 41 sec post release. When comparing the magnitude of the decrease in diameter and the Brachial Artery Flow Mediated Dilation (BAFMD) between Young and Old, older subjects demonstrated a blunted response (Magnitude of Decrease: Young: 2.0%; Old: 0.4%, p = 0.015, and BAFMD: Young: 7.7%; Old: 2.3%, p = 0.001). Finally, a significant relationship was noted between the magnitude of decrease and BAFMD (r = -0.44, p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Examination of the temporal response of the brachial artery diameter following 5 minutes of forearm occlusion reveals a biphasic pattern in all participants. Specific features of this pattern are blunted in older adults compared with younger subjects. Finally, the magnitude of the drop in diameter following forearm occlusion correlates with the magnitude of the BAFMD.
Dobrosielski
Devon A
DA
Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Arce
Arturo A
AA
Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Allen
Jason D
JD
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
Wood
Robert H
RH
Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Welsch
Michael A
MA
Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.