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Gender affects calf venous compliance at rest and during baroreceptor unloading in humans

Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Cellular and Molecular Physiology, General Clinical Research Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-2390

Submitted 25 July 2003 ; accepted in final form 30 October 2003

Leg venous compliance is a determinant of peripheral venous pooling during orthostatic stress such that high venous compliance could contribute to reduced orthostatic tolerance. We tested the hypotheses that 1) calf venous compliance is reduced during baroreceptor unloading, and 2) calf venous compliance is greater in women than men. Twelve men (27 ± 2 yr) and 12 women (25 ± 2 yr) were studied in the supine posture. Calf venous compliance was determined by inflating a thigh venous collecting cuff to 60 mmHg for 8 min and then decreasing cuff pressure at a rate of 1 mmHg/s to 0 mmHg. The slope of the pressure-compliance relation (compliance = ₁ + 2·₂·cuff pressure), which is the first derivative of the quadratic pressure-volume relation [(limb volume) = ₀ + ₁·(cuff pressure) + ₂·(cuff pressure)²] during the reduction in collecting cuff pressure, was used to assess venous compliance at baseline and during one-legged lower body negative pressure (LBNP; —50 mmHg). At baseline, calf venous compliance was 48% lower (P < 0.001) in women than men and decreased in men (—25 ± 8%; P < 0.05) but not women (1 ± 11%) during LBNP. Rhythmic ischemic handgrip (6 ± 9%) and cold pressor testing (—9 ± 7%) did not alter calf venous compliance in a subgroup of men (n = 6). These data indicate gender-dependent effects on calf venous compliance under conditions associated with low sympathetic outflow (i.e., rest) and high sympathetic outflow (i.e., LBNP). However, they cannot explain gender-associated differences in orthostatic tolerance.

veins; orthostasis; autonomic nervous system; baroreflex; blood pressure

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