The effect of the pulse on the spread of substances through tissues

Abstract

The pulsation of blood vessels in the ear of the rabbit greatly increases the rate of the spread of dye introduced into the subcutaneous tissue. The appearance of edema in tissues perfused at a constant pressure leads to very little increase in the rate of dye spread. By contrast, a rapid interstitial spread of dye occurs in tissues becoming edematous while perfused with a pulsatile flow of blood. The significance of these facts is discussed. © 1938, Rockefeller University Press., All rights reserved.