Dynamic evaluation of venous pressure gradients comparing walking and bending and stretching of the foot and toes

Abstract

Background. The objective of the current study was to evaluate variations in the venous pressure gradient during walking and bending and stretching of the foot and toes in physiological situations.
Material and methods. The medial vein of the big toe of a volunteer was punctured and an Angiocat catheter was inserted connected to a DTX Sensor Plus TM. This portable device measures blood pressure at half-second intervals and stores the data in the form of numbers. The venous pressure gradients were measured for two to three minutes in 10 experiments for each type of exercise: walking and bending and stretching of the foot and toes. The paired t-test was utilized for statistical analysis with an alpha error of 5% (p-value < 0.05) considered acceptable.
Results. Walking exerts higher venous pressure differences than bending and stretching of the foot or of the toes.
Conclusions. In conclusion, walking and movements of the joints of the foot and toes cause a pulsating flow which is important to overcome gravitational pressure while standing.