Abstract
Venous tourniquets were applied to the legs of 16 patients with mitral valve disease. Peripheral venous pooling reduced left atrial mean pressure, and altered the contour of the pressure pulse. The pressure at v was lowered by a relatively greater amount than the pressure at z; and the rate of y descent became less steep. These changes were attributed to a reduction in the flow of blood through the atrium. The possible diagnostic and therapeutic implications of the study are discussed.