title: Correlation of laser Doppler wave patterns with underlying microvascular anatomy.
abstract: Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) was performed on the chest, back, and abdomen of four healthy volunteers. As the probe was moved over distances of 2-6 mm, the red-cell flux varied by 100%, but was associated with three distinctive wave patterns. Correlative skin biopsies showed that a high flux, pulsatile pattern superimposed on vasomotor activity was found when the probe was directly over an ascending elastic arteriole with its immediate branches; low flux, pulsatile flow with minimal or no vasomotor activity was found when the probe was off center relative to the ascending arteriole and its branches; and a low flux, non-pulsatile pattern occurred when the probe window was situated between ascending arterioles over an area in the upper horizontal plexus composed primarily of capillaries and post-capillary venules.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510-8059.
authors: I M
authors: IM
authors: Braverman
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Keh
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Goldminz
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008722:Methods; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012212:Rheology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply