Abstract
Summary
The flow of blood into the left anterior auricular artery was measured phasically and quantitatively in the heart-lung preparation. The curves indicate that forward flow into the auricular artery occurs during ventricular systole and diastole, with abrupt, momentary interruptions of inflow at the onset of ventricular systole and diastole. Elevation of tension within the left auricle diminishes auricular arterial inflow; inflow again increases as pressure within the auricle is restored to normal levels. It is suggested that the interference with auricular blood supply, due to increased intra-auricular tension (as in heart failure) may enhance the establishment of aberrant auricular mechanisms.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.