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(Circulation. 1959;19:564.)
© 1959 American Heart Association, Inc.

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"Peripheral Resistance" in Hypertension Following the Abolition of Local Sympathetic Tone

FRANCIS S. CALIVA M.D.¹; JAY F. HARRIS M.D.¹; RICHARD H. LYONS M.D.¹

¹ From the Department of Medicine, Upstate Medical Center, State University of New York and Veteran Administration Hospital, Syracuse, N.Y.

Blood flows of the toe were studied before and after nerve block in normotensive and hypertensive patients, and an estimate of peripheral resistance was made. It was found that in all hypertensive patients there was an increased "peripheral resistance" at rest in the skin of the toe. Following abolition of sympathetic tone, the "resistance" in some individuals fell to a normal level, in others the "resistance" dropped less. The possible significance of these facts is discussed in the light of the etiologic factors responsible for the vasomotor tone.