Control of A-V Shunt and Capillary Circuits in the Dog Hindpaw

Summary

The effects of stimulation of the three nerves containing the sympathetic innervation of the vasculature of the dog hind-paw were studied during controlled pressure perfusion. Stimulation at increasing frequency of the superficial fibular nerve resulted in progressively greater edema formation, apparently due to progressively increasing venous resistance with little evidence of blood flow redistribution. Increasing frequency of stimulation of the deep fibular nerve caused constriction of the arteriovenous anastomoses resulting in blood flow redistribution to the capillary bed. Tibial nerve stimulation at all frequencies resulted in blood flow redistribution to the capillary circuit due to constriction of arteriovenous anastomoses.