Rapid and Extensive Arterial Adaptations After Spinal Cord Injury

Changes in (A) vessel diameter, (B) MWSR, (C) basal leg blood flow of the CFA, and (D) reactive hyperemic flow in the SFA at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 postinjury. Results of early adaptation are represented as individual data points. Diagonal blocks represent the range of values in able-bodied controls and solid blocks represent values in chronic SCI subjects from previous studies. *Significant differences between weeks (P<.01).

Individual data points of changes in (A) relative FMD response (B) absolute FMD responses, and (C) ratio of FMD/ΔMWSR at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 postinjury. Diagonal blocks represent the range of values in able-bodied controls and solid blocks represent values from chronic SCI subjects from previous studies. *Significant differences between weeks (P<.05).

Individual data point of changes in MAP at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 postinjury. *Significant differences between weeks (P<.05).

Individual data point of time course changes in (A) leg volume and (B) for diameter normalized for leg volume at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 postinjury. Diagonal blocks represent the range of values in able-bodied controls and solid blocks represent values from chronic SCI subjects from previous studies. *Significant differences between weeks (P<.01).

Femoral artery diameter size across the whole spectrum of physical activity from extreme deconditioning (SCI) to endurance-trained athletes. Abbreviations: BR, bedrest; ULLS, unilateral limb suspension.

Shear rate values (y axis) plotted against the blood flow (x axis). (A) Hyperemic responses and (B) resting values are presented for SCI patients in the present study at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 postinjury from a group of controls (lower line; open squares) and from a group of chronic SCI subjects (upper line; open circles).