Severe contusion of the femoral vessels in rats alters tissue oxygenation and microvascular blood flow regulation in the skeletal muscles of the limb.

BACKGROUND

Severe contusion of an artery often presents clinical problems in that it affects flow distal to the injury. However, the effect of a contusion on the microvascular flow regulation in the distal part of the limb is still largely unknown.

METHODS

A multipoint microelectrode technique was used to assess both tissue oxygenation (PtO2) and microflow (hydrogen clearance) on the skeletal muscle surface in a standard contusion injury to the femoral vessels in rats.

RESULTS

A significant increase in and an altered distribution of (PtO2) as well as a reduction in and altered distribution of microflow on the muscle surface distal to the injury was found in all animals (n = 27) compared with the uninjured control leg. These findings could not be reproduced experimentally by sympathectomy or when the adjacent skeletal muscle alone was injured.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the changes observed distal to the injury are of vascular origin, possibly as a result of endothelial damage at the site of the contusion.