Measurement of the cutaneous circulation

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Relationships between 4 commonly used indirect methods for study of the cutaneous circulation in intact, unanesthetized man were examined. Skin temperature, thermal conductance, volume plethysmography and the light absorption of the skin (as related to hemoglobin content) were simultaneously recorded on the upper extremities of normal young men as blood flow and blood content of the skin were changed by circulatory arrest, venous occlusion, indirect heating and cooling, and changes in position. Skin temperature and thermal conductance changed along parallel courses as blood flow was changed, while finger volume and reflectance of the skin to light of wave-length 550 m[mu] both changed in expected directions although along different courses, following passive congestion and decongestion and changes in level of the hand relative to the heart. The advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of each of the methods in the study of cutaneous circulation in man are discussed and compared.