THE EFFECT OF THE APPLICATION OF TOURNIQUETS ON THE HEMODYNAMICS OF THE CIRCULATION

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Abstract
The blood vol. was detd. in 5 normal subjects under the following conditions. (1) With the extremities free, (2) After occlusion of the arterial circulation to both legs and one arm by cuffs inflated to a pressure of 250 mm. of Hg, (3) After venous congestion of the 3 extremities by inflating the cuffs to diastolic pressure for 7-10 mins., followed by occlusion of the arterial circulation. By subtracting the result obtained in Expt. 2 from that obtained in Expt. 1, the blood vol. normally contained in the 3 extremities was calculated. By subtracting the result obtained in Expt. 3 from that obtained in Expt. 2, the blood vol. which was removed from the head, trunk and arm by venous congestion of the remaining 3 extremities was calculated. The avg. blood vol. contained in the 3 extremities in the recumbent position was 900 cc, or 16% of the total blood vol. An avg. of 720 cc. of blood was removed from the head and trunk by congesting the extremities. Tourniquets effectively applied, pool more blood in the extremities than is removed from the body by the avg. venesection, and are a rational therapeutic measure. The sudden removal of an avg. of 15% of the blood vol. circulating in the head and trunk by tourniquets produced circulatory collapse in 4 of 7 normal subjects tested.