Laser Doppler imaging and capillary microscopy in ischemic ulcers.

Abstract The local distribution of laser Doppler flux (mainly thermoregulatory perfusion) and capillary density (nutritive circulation) within 25 ischemic leg ulcers and their adjacent skin were investigated. For this purpose the technique of laser Doppler imaging and capillary microscopy were applied. In each ulcer a non granulation tissue area (NGTA), a granulation tissue area (GTA) and in adjacent skin a skin area (SA) were defined. In these areas the average laser Doppler area flux (arbitrary units, AU) and the number of capillaries/mm 2 were determined for each patient. The mean±S.D. of laser Doppler area fluxes were: NGTA 1.30±1.93, GTA 2.13±1.53 and SA 1.21±0.77 AU, respectively. The differences between GTA and NGTA or SA was statistically significant ( p 2 , respectively. The following differences were statistically significant: NGTA versus GTA ( p p