Reproducibility of Cutaneous Vascular Conductance Responses to Slow Local Heating Assessed Using seven-Laser Array Probes

Objective Gradual local heating of the skin induces a largely NO‐mediated vasodilatation. However, use of this assessment of microvascular health is limited because little is known about its reproducibility. Methods Healthy volunteers (n = 9) reported twice to the laboratory. CVC, derived from laser...

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Published in:Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. 1994) N.Y. 1994), 2015-05, Vol.22 (4), p.276-284
Main Authors: Dawson, Ellen A., Low, David A., Meeuwis, Iris H.M., Kerstens, Floor G., Atkinson, Ceri L., Cable, Nigel Timothy, Green, Daniel J., Thijssen, Dick H.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
endothelial function
Female
Hot Temperature
Humans
local heating
Male
Microcirculation
microvasculature
nitric oxide
Nitric Oxide - metabolism
Reproducibility of Results
Skin - blood supply
Skin - metabolism
skin microcirculation
Vasodilation
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Summary:Objective Gradual local heating of the skin induces a largely NO‐mediated vasodilatation. However, use of this assessment of microvascular health is limited because little is known about its reproducibility. Methods Healthy volunteers (n = 9) reported twice to the laboratory. CVC, derived from laser Doppler flux and mean arterial pressure, was examined in response to a standardized local heating protocol (0.5°C per 150 second from 33°C to 42°C, followed by 20 minutes at 44°C). Skin responses were examined at two locations on the forearm (between‐site). Heating was repeated after a break of 24–72 hours (between‐day). Reproducibility of skin responses at 33–42°C is presented for absolute CVC and relative CVC responses corrected for maximal CVC at 44°C (%CVCmax). Results Between‐day reproducibility of baseline CVC and %CVCmax for both sites was relatively poor (22–30%). At 42°C, CVC and %CVCmax responses showed less variation (9–19%), whilst absolute CVC responses at 44°C were 14–17%. Between‐day variation for %CVCmax increased when using data from site 1 on day 1, but site 2 on the subsequent day (25%). Conclusion Day‐to‐day reproducibility of baseline laser Doppler‐derived skin perfusion responses is poor, but acceptable when absolute and relative skin perfusion to a local gradual heating protocol is utilized and site‐to‐site variation is minimized.
ISSN:1073-9688
1549-8719
DOI:10.1111/micc.12196