Tourniquet

A tourniquet (from the French tourner=rotate) is generally understood to be a ligature cuff with which the blood flow in the veins and arteries can be congested or completely interrupted depending on the pressure.

In phlebological diagnostics (e.g. photoplethysmographic muscle pump test) the Tourniquet is used with low pressure. With a stagnation pressure of at least 80mm Hg reflux in the superficial veins can be prevented. Thus, in case of valve insufficiency, the blood cannot reflux distally. If, after application of a tourniquet, the vein dynamics improve in quantitative photoplethysmography , recognizable by a prolonged (improved) venous filling time, this condition is referred to as "improveable venous insufficiency".

In limb surgery, a pneumatic Tourniquet (similar in appearance and function to a blood pressure cuff) is used to be able to operate in a more targeted manner when there is no blood.

In emergency medicine, the tourniquet can be used to achieve an absolute (temporary) interruption of the arterial blood flow (indication: uncontrolled life-threatening arterial bleeding).

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