title: Correlation between Changes in Leg Blood Flow and Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index: A Study Using Laser Doppler Flowmeter -The 1st Report-.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to use non-invasive laser Doppler flowmeter to measure changes in blood flow in peripheral vessels in the legs before and after stress induced by leg elevation stress test and investigate correlations with the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects included 28 patients over 20 years of age (mean, 73 years) who reported chiefly of leg symptoms such as intermittent claudication, numbness, chills, or cramps had been examined at the study institution, and agreed to participate in the study. The ABI of both legs was measured, and patients were divided into two groups: low ABI (ABI ≤0.9) and normal ABI (ABI ≥0.9). Blood flow in the big toe was measured using a box-type laser Doppler flowmeter before, during, and after leg-elevation stress. Amplitude of the recorded waveform and changes in blood flow were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average ABI was 1.09 ± 0.10 in the normal ABI group (33 legs) and 0.68 ± 0.17 in the low ABI group (21 legs). Amplitude before and during stress was significantly smaller in the low ABI group than in the normal ABI group (p <0.01), and there was a significant correlation with ABI before and during stresses (r = 0.4606, r = 0.5048, respectively; p <0.05). Change in blood flow during stress was significantly lower in the low ABI group than in the normal ABI group (p <0.05). There was a significant correlation between change in blood flow during stress and ABI in both groups (r = 0.5073; p <0.05). There was also a significant correlation between change in blood flow and change in amplitude in both groups (r = 0.5477; p <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RESULTS of this study show, that comparing amplitude and change in blood flow before and after leg extension and elevation stress, there was a correlation between change in blood flow and amplitude, and ABI during stress. A box-type laser Doppler flowmeter may provide a means of screening for peripheral arterial disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rehabilitation, Iwase General Hospital, Sukagawa, Fukushima, Japan ; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sekiguchi
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Midorikawa
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akase
authors.forename: Renshi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.forename: Shin-Ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Konno
keywords: ankle-brachial pressure index; intermittent claudication; laser Doppler flowmeter; lumbar spinal stenosis; peripheral arterial disease
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