Micro-Lightguide Spectrophotometry (O2C) for Lower Limb Perfusion: Effects of Exercise Walking in Claudicants

Abstract

Background Exercise walking has improved walking capacity in patients with intermittent claudication without affecting the macrocirculation reflected in ankle pressures. We wanted to investigate microcirculation in the skin related to exercise walking by using Micro-Lightguide Spectrophotometry (O2C). Materials and Methods Twenty-eight patients with intermittent claudication—bilateral in 17—were included in a 12 weeks of structured home-based exercise program. The pain-free and maximal walking distances were determined on a treadmill. Saturation and flow, monitored by O2C, were examined immediately before and after the treadmill test. O2C examination took place before as well as after completion of the exercise program. Ankle–brachial index was obtained before treadmill testing. Results As expected, walking performance improved significantly without affecting ankle pressures. Neither oxygen saturation nor flow, assessed at 2 mm depth, was affected following a 12 weeks of exercise program. We observed a significant decrease in oxygen saturation and flow upon treadmill testing in the both limbs in patients with bilateral peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In contrast, the treadmill test elicited no changes in the opposite and asymptomatic limb in patients with only unilateral PAD. Conclusion The findings suggest that O2C may be used to study microcirculatory changes. However, it is best suited for the study of phenomena resulting in major changes as it eliminates some inherent variability.

Evaluation of the optimal cooling temperature for the face measured by the tissue perfusion during hilotherapy using laser Doppler spectrophotometry

“…This study used two modern devices: the HILOTHERM Clinic HT02, which provides steady cooling at adjustable temperatures 35 , and the O 2 C, which provides non-invasive measurements of tissue perfusion. The O 2 C device is commonly used for medical purposes 21 , 36 , 37 .…”

Safety of home-based exercise for people with intermittent claudication: A systematic review

“… 26 , 28 , 32 , 33 , 42 – 45 , 47 Nine studies included exercise to moderate pain levels. 27 , 29 , 30 , 35 – 38 , 40 , 41 Two studies did not provide a clear description of the degree of claudication pain 22 , 34 and two did not report this information. 31 , 48 …”

“…Twelve of the included studies were randomised controlled trials, [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] and the remaining 15 were nonrandomised. [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] The included studies comprised a total of 2351 participants, 1642 of whom received a home-based intervention, representing a total of 147,810 patient-hours.…”

Bedside determination of microcirculatory oxygen delivery and uptake: a prospective observational clinical study for proof of principle

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