Abstract
To estimate the appropriate tourniquet pressure for venipuncture, we examined the relation between tourniquet tension and the overswelling rate of the vein in 60 healthy volunteers ranging 20 to 75 years of age. And we also examined relations between the overswelling rate and physical factors. Tourniquets made of elastic belt were fastened around the upper arm, 5cm proximal from the cubital fossa. Fifty-eight subjects (26 male and 32 female, age ; 48.7±19.5, height ; 161.5±7.7 cm, and weight ; 60.3±15.7 kg, systolic pressure ; 116.4±15.5mmHg) were analyzed. Tourniquet pressure showed on almost linear correlation with tension, 1.5 kg ; about 20 mmHg, 2 kg ; about 40 mmHg, 2.5 kg ; about 65 mmHg, 3 kg ; about 90 mmHg, and 3.5 kg ; about 120 mmHg. Overswelling rate of vein increased from 2 kg of tension to 3 kg of tension, but slightly decreased at 3.5 kg of tension. Cross section of vein also increased with the tension strength up to 3 kg, then slightly decreased at 3.5 kg of tension similar to overswelling of the vein. These findings suggested that the appropriate tourniquet tension for venipuncture ranges from 2-3 kg (pressure 40-90mmHg). Physical factors such as body weight, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (TSF), and upper arm circumference were reversely correlated with the overswelling rate before and after tourniquet fastening at 3 kg.
