Phasic pressures and diameters in small epicardial veins of the unrestrained heart.

Previous data from this laboratory have revealed a large pressure pulse in small veins on the epicardial surface of the right ventricle of the rabbit. The phasic relationship between venule pressures and venule diameters in a beating heart was examined. Luminal pressures were measured in 39 different veins on the epicardial surface of the rabbit right ventricle. The venous luminal pressures averaged 12.6 mmHg maximum and 1.0 mmHg minimum. Pressures in 23 different small veins were also obtained at different right ventricular afterloads. Peak venous pressures increased with peak right ventricular pressure. The phasic diameter changes of 119 different vessels were examined. Vessel diameters decreased as luminal pressures increased. The average change in vessel diameter through a cardiac cycle was 20%, with a range from 0 to 60%. The large pulse pressures found in small veins appear to be related to decreasing vessel diameters and probably result from the displacement of blood as the vessels narrow.