Laser Doppler Fluxmetry

Abstract

Background: Laser Doppler fl uxmetry (LDF) is an extraordinary sensitive noninvasive method of examination. It can be used for monitoring changes in the cutaneous peripheral microcirculation 15 . It uses a monochromatic low-energy laser beam. This beam penetrates the tissue and, depending on individual tissue penetration, it is refl ected, recorded by a sensitive sensor and subsequently analyzed using the Doppler. Laser Doppler fl uxmetry detects movement of cells in the peripheral circulation and microcirculation.Methods: The light from the laser source is delivered via optical fi bers to the tissue. In the tissue the light collides with moving blood elements; after a collision, the wave length of the light changes -this phenomenon is called Doppler shift. Our own method of measurement has already been fully developed. We have a group of patients with physiological fi ndings and also groups of patients with vasoneurosis, patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, vasculitis patients, and other patient groups. We examine the blood fl ow on the dorsal side of fi ngers or toes. There are many protocols for laser Doppler examination. For all the patient groups we used a protocol evaluating an algorithm, developed in the training department of the Perimed company, using provocation tests for the assessment of the vascular wall function in addition to records at rest. Use of laser Doppler:We have developed a method of use of laser Doppler examination in about 8 years. We have examined several groups of patients. First a patient group with physiological fi ndings was examined, and subsequently groups of patients with vasculitis, vasoneurosis, and a group of patients with type l diabetes mellitus. Recently, monitoring has been performed in patients after cardioversion in chronic atrial fi brillation with sinus rhythm restitution, and also data obtained before and after a varicose vein operation on lower limbs have been compared. Conclusion: Clear diagnostic criteria for this method do not exist so far. For the time being this is a rather theoretical method that we used even in practice for the above mentioned diseases. The method provides enough data even for more detailed analyses. The information valu of the curve arises after statistical data analysis with the t-test.

The acute effects of lower limb intermittent negative pressure on foot macro- and microcirculation in patients with peripheral arterial disease

“…Pulp skin blood flow was measured using laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF; Periflux PF 4000, Perimed AB, Järfälla, Sweden), giving a semi-quantitative measurement of changes in cutaneous peripheral microcirculation expressed in arbitrary units (AU) [14]. After preparing the skin with an alcohol swab, we attached LDF probes (404–1; Perimed AB, Järfälla, Sweden) bilaterally to the pulps of the first toes.…”

Application of intermittent negative pressure on the lower extremity and its effect on macro- and microcirculation in the foot of healthy volunteers

“…We used laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF; Periflux PF 4000; Perimed AB, Järfälla, Sweden) to measure acral skin blood flow, giving a semi‐quantitative real‐time measurement of cutaneous peripheral microcirculation expressed in arbitrary units (AU) (Sarnik et al. ). After preparing the skin with an alcohol swab, we attached LDF probes (404‐1; Perimed AB, Järfälla, Sweden) bilaterally to the skin of the pulps of the big toes.…”

Repeatability, Reproducibility and Standardisation of a Laser Doppler Imaging Technique for the Evaluation of Normal Mouse Hindlimb Perfusion

“…This technique is commonly used to monitor the effect of environmental conditions, physical manipulations, and drug treatments on tissue perfusion. Laser Doppler detects shifts in the frequency of laser light ( i.e ., Doppler shift) after it interacts with moving components of tissues such as red blood cells [4–6]. The measurement depth depends on tissue properties such as the structure and density of the capillary beds, pigmentation and oxygenation.…”