Pressure-Volume Changes in Human Forearm Veins after Atropine Administration. ∗

Summary

1) Observations on forearm venous distensibility, volume and pressure were made in normal subjects before and after intravenous administration of atropine sulfate. Venous pressure fell in 16, venous constriction occurred in 17 and venous volume fell in each of 18 experiments. These responses were not altered significantly in the 5 instances where experiments were repeated with a lower body anti-gravity suit inflated. 2) Atropine did not cause venous dilatation or venous pooling. Venous constriction occurred almost uniformly and in each instance blood shifted from the forearm.