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Comparison of VOP and Doppler ultrasound in measuring forearm blood flow during direct heating
Author(s) -
Brunt Vienna Elizabeth,
Miner Jennifer Ann,
Minson Christopher Todd
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.1053.7
Subject(s) - forearm , blood flow , medicine , ultrasound , brachial artery , doppler effect , plethysmograph , biomedical engineering , doppler ultrasound , surgery , cardiology , radiology , blood pressure , physics , astronomy
PURPOSE Venous occlusion plethysmography (VOP) is the gold standard for measuring forearm blood flow to obtain maximal skin blood flow. We sought to compare this method to Doppler ultrasound. METHODS Seven subjects (four female, three male; BMI = 23±3 kg.m −1 ) underwent a ramped local heating protocol. Local heating was achieved by heating the forearm with a water spray device. Doppler ultrasound of the brachial artery and forearm VOP were measured during five stages: under thermoneutral conditions (33 o C), after 15 minutes of heating at 36 o C, 39 o C, and 42 o C, and after 30 minutes of heating at 42 o C. The protocol aimed to produce a linear rise in blood flow with each subsequent stage. Doppler ultrasound and VOP blood flow measurements were compared by linear regression analysis. RESULTS The protocol was successful in covering a wide range of blood flow, from normal baseline to near maximal values. Measurement of forearm blood flow using Doppler ultrasound and VOP were shown to be highly correlated, with a regression coefficient of R 2 = 0.773. CONCLUSION Comparable changes in forearm blood flow can be measured using either Doppler ultrasound or VOP.