[Reactive hyperemia after arterial occlusion: comparison of infrared telethermography and laser Doppler flowmetry].

Before, during and after arterial occlusion we measured Laser-Doppler Flux (LDF) and skin temperature using Infrared-Thermographie (IRT) in 40 healthy adults (20 female, 20 male). In the region of the hypothenar eminence of the left hand LDF and skin temperature showed significantly higher values in male compared with female subjects prior to occlusion (p < 0.01 resp. p < 0.05). After arterial occlusion for 120 seconds LDF showed a significant overshoot of 71.3% (+/- 39.5%) above baseline. During this phase of hyperemia skin temperature rose from 33.5 to 34.8 degrees C (p < 0.0001). This reaction was similar in men and in women. Changes in skin temperature were slower and more prolonged compared with the rapid changes of LDF. The absolute temperatures were significantly higher when we used IRT compared with temperatures measured by resistance thermometry. Both methods showed a close correlation (p < 0.0001, r = 0.891). Using the IRT technique a large number of skin temperatures can be measured simultaneously and temperature changes can be detected and visualized by colour thermograms. Postocclusive cutaneous hyperemia induces similar responses in LDF parameters and in skin temperatures. IRT therefore could be used as an additional tool for the assessment of physiological and pathological functions of the cutaneous microcirculation.