Forearm blood flow occlusion for 5 minutes achieved maximum reactive hyperaemic index, with lower responses at 1.5 and 3 minutes (P=0.002 and P=0.024 vs 8 minutes) and no difference vs upper-arm.
RCT (n=30)
Random order
Does 5-minute forearm cuff occlusion provide comparable reactive hyperaemic index measurements to 8-minute or upper-arm occlusion with less discomfort in healthy subjects?
A 5-minute forearm cuff occlusion is recommended for measuring endothelial function via finger plethysmography, as it yields maximal response comparable to upper-arm occlusion but with less discomfort.
p-value: p=0.1
BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to establish the optimum duration of blood flow occlusion to obtain maximal response and to compare the response after lower-arm and upper-arm occlusion. METHODS: Pulse wave amplitude was analysed using a novel finger plethysmograph (EndoPat; Itamar). For measuring reactive hyperaemic index (RHI) induced by forearm cuff occlusion, 30 healthy subjects were examined at different days in a random order of four cuff occlusion times (1.5, 3, 5 and 8 min). RHI induced by 5 min upper-arm cuff occlusion was also measured in 20 subjects. RESULTS: Average RHI was lower with 1.5 and 3 min forearm occlusion compared with 8 min forearm occlusion (P = 0.002 and P = 0.024). There was no significant difference between values of 5 min and 8 min forearm occlusion and between 5 min forearm and 5 min upper-arm occlusion (P = 0.1). All subjects reported less discomfort after forearm occlusion compared with upper-arm occlusion. CONCLUSION: Maximum response was reached after 5 min of blood flow occlusion and therefore this occlusion time is recommended. The response after forearm and upper-arm occlusion did not differ significantly. Forearm occlusion might be preferred as this caused less discomfort.
Faizi et al. (Mon,) conducted a rct in Healthy (n=30). Forearm cuff occlusion vs. Upper-arm cuff occlusion was evaluated on Reactive hyperaemic index (RHI) (p=0.1). Forearm blood flow occlusion for 5 minutes achieved maximum reactive hyperaemic index, with lower responses at 1.5 and 3 minutes (P=0.002 and P=0.024 vs 8 minutes) and no difference vs upper-arm.