title: The association between laser Doppler reactive hyperaemia curves and the distribution of peripheral arterial disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether postocclusive laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF) curves can be related to the arteriographic distribution of disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-nine patients with symptomatic peripheral ischaemia and 15 healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF) was monitored on the dorsum of the symptomatic foot following 2 min of arterial occlusion at the ankle. During reperfusion three patterns of LDF were identified (types I-III). All patients subsequently underwent arteriography which was reported independent of LDF results. The distribution of disease, particularly patency of below-knee vessels, was related to the type of LDF curve observed during reactive hyperaemia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Type I curves were observed in all healthy subjects and 75% of patients with a single arterial lesion. Type II curves were found in 78% of patients with multiple lesions above the knee. The presence of either a type I or II curve was associated with a continuous vessel from knee to ankle (positive predictive value 83%, p < 0.01), whilst type III curve was associated with discontinuous infrapopliteal run-off (positive predictive value 86%, p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests that post-occlusive LDF curves may identify the distribution of arterial disease and may be useful in the non-invasive management of peripheral ischaemia.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery and Interventional Radiology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Tooting, London, U.K.
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Ray
authors: T M
authors: TM
authors: Buckenham
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Belli
authors: R S
authors: RS
authors: Taylor
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Dormandy
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors