What characteristic distinguishes high resistive vessels from low resistive ones?

High resistive vessels are distinguished from low resistive vessels primarily by their higher impedance to flow. This characteristic reflects the nature of the vascular beds they supply; high resistive vessels, such as those supplying muscles during rest, typically exhibit higher impedance due to their ability to maintain blood pressure and flow within certain limits. This higher impedance results primarily from a smaller diameter or increased vascular tone, which in turn leads to a more pulsatile flow pattern.

In contrast, low resistive vessels, such as those supplying organs like the kidneys or liver, experience lower impedance, allowing for a more consistent and steady flow. These vessels are designed to provide a more continuous supply of blood to meet the metabolic needs of the organs they serve, resulting in a lower resistance to blood flow.

While higher peak systolic velocity can occur in both types of vessels due to various physiological factors, it is not the definitive characteristic that separates high resistive from low resistive vessels. Fluctuating blood flow patterns can also be observed in different vascular contexts and do not exclusively indicate high or low resistance. Similarly, increased collateral circulation can develop in both high and low resistive situations, depending on various pathological or physiological conditions, and is not a distinguishing feature of the resistive nature of the vessels