Nerve conduction velocity and refractory period in peripheral vascular disease

¹ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, New York Medical College, Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospitals, New York City

The conduction velocity and the residual latency of the common peroneal nerve and the refractory period of the extensor digitorum brevis were measured in a group of patients with occlusive vascular disease of the lower extremity, and compared with those of a group of normal and elderly subjects. The results indicate that motor nerve and muscle are affected in peripheral arteriosclerosis. The conduction velocity showed a decrease of 16.9% for the patient group and of 6.7% for the elderly normal subjects when compared to the young group. The refractory period of the extensor digitorum brevis, after 10 min of provoked ischemia and 2/sec stimulation, increased 105.1% in the patient group, 17.8% in the young, and 28.9% in the elderly group. Correlations between the electrical responses and the state of muscle and nerve as influenced by chronic arteriopathy are discussed.