Microvascular Response to Compartment Syndrome-Like External Pressure Elevation

Abstract

Our study disproves the critical closing theory but complies-in particular because of the supposed constriction-induced increase of venular resistance-with the hypothesis of reduced arteriovenous pressure gradients as the cause of flow cessation in compartment syndrome. The necessity of a substantially increased perfusion pressure gradient to restart blood flow in arterioles, capillaries, and venules confirms the existence of yield stress in these microvessels. The high susceptibility of capillaries to elevated external pressure indicates the necessity of early fasciotomy to restore impaired nutritive circulation in cases of compartment syndrome.