Simultaneous laser Doppler and transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements in claudicant patients.

Laser Doppler (LD) flux and transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2) were measured in supine and sitting position at the dorsum of the foot with local skin temperature of 37 degrees C and 44 degrees C in 50 patients with stage IIb of chronic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (CPAOD) and in 30 healthy controls. The statistical analysis showed no significant differences between patients and controls in the supine and sitting position at 37 degrees C. A lower increase of LD- flux and TcPO2 could be noticed during hyperthermia and reactive hyperaemia in the patients group as well as a significant prolongation of oxygen (ORT) and flux reappearance time, of postocclusion time to peak flux and oxygen peak, of postocclusion time to half of peak flux and oxygen peak and of time to flux restoration at preocclusion levels (FTMAX) during reactive hyperaemia test. FTMAX and ORT allowed a clear separation between patients and controls and exhibited a high reproducibility. A regression analysis equation was derived with the most significant parameters indicating the presence and the severity of the disease. Moreover, the estimated time parameters of LD - flux and TcPO2 were correlated with the US - Doppler ankle systolic blood pressure indices and therefore with the impairment of the macrocirculation. In summary, we find that skin perfusion in patients with intermittent claudication is not different from normal subjects under basal conditions. However, maximal perfusion is reduced and the time to peak perfusion after a provocative stimulus is delayed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)