The Venous

System

177

ECG

Fig.

6.2.1:

Electrocardiogram (ECG), phonocardiogram (PCG), jugular venous pressure

(JVP) and

flow

velocity (JVF) obtained from a normal subject. From Kalmanson

and

Veyrat

The relation of atrial function and venous flow has been studied by

some investigators. Goto et al. (1988) used laser Doppler velocimeter

and an optical fiber to measure blood flow velocity in the small vein and

artery of the left atrium of a dog. The vein velocity was characterized by

a prominent atrial systolic flow (Fig.

A

considerable phase

difference between arterial inflow and venous outflow was found and

attributed to intravascular compliance properties.