Influence of local and environmental temperatures on cutaneous circulation with use of laser Doppler flowmetry.

The purpose of this study was to determine a standard set of conditions for detecting peripheral arteriosclerosis with ischemia.One series of studies was done to determine the influence of room tempera ture on peripheral flow in healthy subjects and patients with peripheral vascu lar disease. The room temperature was varied from 30° to 35°C. The temperature from 24° to 30°C had only minor effects on the circulation. Thus, it seemed appropriate to use a room temperature in the lower range, usually 23°C.Another series of studies showed the effect of changing skin temperatures locally at the finger tip or toe tip on the plantar and volar surfaces in healthy subjects and in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Results showed that as temperature was increased from 10° to 45°, there was a marked increase in the finger and toe circulations, which was considerably greater in the normal sub jects as compared with those with digital disease. The ideal temperature at which to work as a routine is 40 ° C as opp...