Determination of normal variation in skin blood flow velocity in healthy adults.

This study noninvasively measured cutaneous microcirculatory blood flow velocity at six clinically significant sites on the feet, legs, and abdomen. Subjects were 51 healthy adult volunteers, 44 females and 7 males, with a mean age of 32 years. A laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) was used to measure skin blood flow velocity. Skin temperatures and LDV measures were concurrently obtained from the dorsal surface of the feet, medial aspects of the lower legs, and at two contralateral midabdominal sites. Ambient and oral temperatures were repeatedly measured and remained stable among subjects. Using paired t tests, there were no statistical significances for contralateral comparisons of mean flow velocity and skin temperature differences. Regional differences among feet, legs, and abdomen were significantly different. The findings suggest that blood flow velocity of contralateral sites is similar. Unilateral circulatory disturbances such as surgical and nonsurgical traumas, primary cutaneous lesions, and venous or arterial occlusions are often encountered clinically. Nursing care measures to improve blood flow can be evaluated on the basis of contralateral flow rates.