Radial ve Ulnar Arterlerin El Dolaşımındaki Etkinliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the contribution of radial and ulnar arteries to hand circulation. Material and Methods: Modified Allen"s Test was performed in all patients with pletismography, pulse oximeter and mini Doppler probe to evaluate the flow coming back for both arteries. The diameter, flow rate and velocity were measured for both ulnar and radial arteries by Doppler ultrasonography then ulnar flow/total flow, radial flow/total flow, ulnar velocity/total velocity and radial velocity/total velocity ratios were calculated. Results: The diameter, flow rate and velocity mea- sured by Doppler ultrasonography are 0.24±0.04 cm, 25±184 ml/min and 49±13 cm/sec for radial artery and 0.25±0.04 cm, 32±24 ml/min and 57±17 cm/sec for ulnar artery at the wrist level respectively. The ratio of flow rate of ulnar artery to total flow rate is 0.54±0.1 and velocity ratio is 0.53±0.1. The ratio of flow rate of radial artery to total flow rate is 0.45±0.2 and velocity ratio is 0.46±0.01. The flow and velocity in the ulnar artery are increased with compression of the radial artery. The flow and velocity incre- ased from 32±24 ml/min to 49±33 ml/min and 57±17 cm/sec to 80±22 cm/sec respectively. In the same way, the flow and velocity in the radial artery are increased with compression of the ulnar artery. The flow and velocity increased from 25±18 ml/min to 41±26 ml/min and 49±13 cm/sec to 70±17 cm/sec respectively. Conclusion: As a result radial artery is thinner and has lower flow and velocity compared to the ulnar artery. But both of these arteries increase their flow and velocity approximately 40-50% providing the hand circulation when they stay alone. There are no significant difference between pletismography, pulse oximeter and mini Doppler performing modified Allen"s Test to show hand circulation.