Title
Finger cold-induced vasodilation: A review
Author
Daanen, H.A.M.
TNO Technische Menskunde
Publication year
2003
Abstract
Cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) in the finger tips generally occurs 5-10 min after the start of local cold exposure of the extremities. This phenomenon is believed to reduce the risk of local cold injuries. However, CIVD is almost absent during hypothermia, when survival of the organism takes precedence over the survival of peripheral tissue. Subjects that are often exposed to local cold (e.g. fish filleters) develop an enhanced CIVD response. Also, differences between ethnic groups are obvious, with black people having the weakest CIVD response. Many other factors affect CIVD, such as diet, alcohol consumption, altitude, age and stress. CIVD is probably caused by a sudden decrease in the release of neurotransmitters from the sympathetic nerves to the muscular coat of the arterio-venous anastomoses (AVAs) due to local cold. AVAs are specific thermoregulatory organs that regulate blood flow in the cold and heat. Their relatively large diameter enables large amounts of blood to pass and convey heat to the surrounding tissue. Unfortunately, information on the quantity of AVAs is lacking, which makes it difficult to estimate the full impact on peripheral blood flow. This review illustrates the thermospecificity of the AVAs and the close link to CIVD. CIVD is influenced by many parameters, but controlled experiments yield information on how CIVD protects the extremities against cold injuries.
Subject
Biology
Cold induced vasodilation
Cold
Thermal physiology
Arterio-venous anastomoses
Finger blood flow
Age
Alcohol consumption
Altitude
Arteriovenous fistula
Cold exposure
Cold injury
Cold tolerance
Ciet
Ethnic group
Fatigue
Fitness
Hypothermia
Mental stress
Thermoregulation
Vasodilatation
Acclimatization
Adaptation, Physiological
Aging
Blood Flow Velocity
Body Temperature
Fingers
Sex Factors
Skin Temperature
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TNO identifier
11966
Source
European Journal of Applied Physiology, 89 (5), 411-426
Document type
article