Flow Pattern in Central and Peripheral Human Veins:A Pilot Study

A short survey is given on exploratory work in venous flowmetry. The normal flow pattern in the human superior vena cava is described from our own recordings achieved with conventional cuff type electromagnetic probes. The retrograde transfer and delay of the central flow pattern to extratboracic peripheral veins is shown, demonstrating a pulsatile venous return to the right heart, created by the hearts own action. A catheter tip electromagnetic velocity flow probe is demonstrated and its advantages presented. A comparison of the central venous flow pattern in man recorded with a conventional probe and the catheter tip probe simultaneously shows a close conformity of the patterns.