Peripheral Circulatory and Metabolic Consequences of Thyrotoxicosis: VIII. Venomotor tone at rest in thyrotoxic patients before and after treatment

Abstract

Venomotor tone and hand blood flow were measured in nine resting patients with uncomplicated thyrotoxicosis, before and after treatment.

In spite of considerable reduction of hand blood flow and heart rate after treatment, no significant change was found in venomotor tone. The need to maintain a high cardiac output in thyrotoxicosis is usually not a sufficient stimulus to venoconstriction to overcome the dilatation of peripheral veins that is caused by the need to dissipate heat.

Key Words:

• Thyrotoxicosis
• blood flow
• heart rate