The application of infrared thermography in evaluation of patients at high risk for lower extremity peripheral arterial disease

• Published in: Journal of vascular surgery 2011-10, Vol.54 (4), p.1074-1080
• Main Authors: Huang, Chi-Lun, MD, Wu, Yen-Wen, MD, PhD, Hwang, Chueh-Lung, BS, Jong, Yuh-Shiun, MD, Chao, Chia-Lun, MD, PhD, Chen, Wen-Jone, MD, PhD, Wu, Ying-Tai, PhD, Yang, Wei-Shiung, MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Ankle Brachial Index; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Exercise Test; Exercise Tolerance; Female; Humans; Infrared Rays; Lower Extremity - blood supply; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Peripheral Arterial Disease - diagnosis; Peripheral Arterial Disease - physiopathology; Peripheral Arterial Disease - psychology; Predictive Value of Tests; Quality of Life; Regional Blood Flow; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Temperature; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan; Thermography - methods; Vascular surgery: aorta, extremities, vena cava. Surgery of the lymphatic vessels; Vasodilation; Walking
• ISSN: 0741-5214; 1097-6809
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2011.03.287

Objective We investigated the usefulness of infrared thermography in evaluating patients at high risk for lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD), including severity, functional capacity, and quality of life. Methods A total of 51 patients (23 males; age 70 ± 9.8 years) were recruited. They completed three PAD-associated questionnaires, including walking impairment, vascular quality of life, and 7-day physical activity recall questionnaires before a 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) and segmental pressure were analyzed for PAD diagnosis and stenotic level assessment. The cutaneous temperature at shin and sole were recorded by infrared thermography before and after the walk test. Detailed demographic information and medication list were obtained. Results Twenty-eight subjects had abnormal ABI (ABI 1.3). Demographic profiles and clinical parameters in PAD and non-PAD patients were similar, except for age, smoking history, and hyperlipidemia. PAD patients walked shorter distances (356 ± 102 m vs 218 ± 92 m; P < .001). Claudication occurred in 14 patients, while seven failed in completing the 6MWT. The rest temperatures were similar in PAD and non-PAD patients. However, the post-exercise temperature dropped in the lower extremities with arterial stenosis, but was maintained or elevated slightly in the extremities with patent arteries (temperature changes at sole in PAD vs non-PAD patients: −1.25 vs −0.15°C; P < .001). The exercise-induced temperature changes at the sole were not only positively correlated with the 6MWD (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.31, P = .03), but was also correlated with ABI (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.48, P < .001) and 7-day physical activity recall scores (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.30, P = .033). Conclusion By detecting cutaneous temperature changes in the lower extremities, infrared thermography offers another non-invasive, contrast-free option in PAD evaluation and functional assessment.