Transcutaneous flow related variables measured in vivo: the effects of gender

Abstract

BackgoundThe identification of potential sources of error is a crucial step for any new assessment technique. This is the case for transcutaneous variables, such as flow and arterial gases, which have been applied as functional indicators of various aspects of human health. Regarding gender, a particular subject-related determinant, it is often claimed that women present higher transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcpO2) values than men. However, the statistical significance of this finding is still uncertain.MethodsThe haemodynamical-vascular response to a local reactive hyperaemia procedure (the tourniquet cuff manoeuvre) was studied in two previously selected group of volunteers (n = 16; 8 women and 8 men). The effect of gender was assessed under standardised experimental conditions, using the transcutaneous flow-related variables tcpO2-tcpCO2 and Laser-doppler Flowmetry (LDF).ResultsRegarding tcpO2, statistically significant differences between genders were not found, although higher values were consistently found for the gases in the female group. Regarding LDF, high statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) were found, with the men's group presenting the highest values and variability. Other derived parameters used to characterise the vascular response following the cuff-deflation (t-peak) were similar in both groups.ConclusionsThe relative influence of gender was not clearly demonstrated using these experimental conditions. However the gender-related LDF differences suggest that further investigation should be done on this issue. Perhaps in the presence of certain pathological disparities involving peripheral vascular regulation, other relationships may be found between these variables.

In vivo assessment of peripheral vascular function by tcpo2 and skin blood flow modelling

“…In accordance with our rationale, the modification of the tcpO 2 elimination time depends mainly from the haemodynamical changes, although local miogenic and metabolic components are involved (7,15,27,30,38,49). Therefore, this variation measured in a distal territory, may reveal the peripheral vascular physiology, and most of all, its capacity to adapt to the controlled stress conditions used in our model.…”

Free flap monitoring using simultaneous non-invasive laser Doppler flowmetry and tissue spectrophotometry

“…The laser Doppler flowmetry signal did not fall to zero, because the vibration of blood cells is still registered even though there is no longer any blood flow. The problem of interpreting residual LDF-signals is well known and was described as ''biological zero'' by Caspary et al (1988) (Tenland et al, 1983;Sloan and Sasaki, 1985;Braverman et al, 1990;Obeid et al, 1990;Rodrigues et al, 2001). The first intraoperative values (raised flap, A) serve as reference values to judge the further course of all parameters.…”

Biophysical parameters of skin: map of human face, regional, and age‐related differences

“…Differences in blood flow between various areas of the face exist (3) probably because of variability in skin vascular architecture (12). However, some discrepancies exist between various studies probably under the influence of some parameters (age, gender, and race) (13). Besides these potential influencing parameters, a great spatial and temporal intra‐individual heterogeneity of LDF measurements has been demonstrated by Braverman (14).…”