Techniques used to evaluate the cutaneous microcirculation: application of photoplethysmography to the assessment of a phlebotropic agent in the treatment of leg ulcers.

Over recent years, a number of functional investigations have been developed that allow a better evaluation of the physiology of the cutaneous microcirculation than that provided by the morphologic method. These investigations are also useful in pharmacologic studies. Following a review of the anatomy and physiology of the cutaneous microcirculation, the author presents the principal techniques of investigation and the results obtained with Daflon 500 mg* on the cutaneous microcirculation evaluated by photoplethysmography of the skin in patients with venous insufficiency and leg ulcers.