Laser Doppler Flowmetry and Transcutaneously Measured Carbon Dioxide Tension for Observing Changes of Skin Blood Flow in Fingers

Abstract

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension measurements (PtcCO₂) were performed on fingers of healthy volunteers subjected to a sequence of hydrostatic and thermal stimuli. LDF response using an unheated probe agreed well with measurements made with Xenon¹³³ clearance and strain gauge plethysmography in a previous work. The PtcCO₂ results, however, were found not in any way to reflect changes in skin blood flow.