Background: Adequate tissue perfusion is an important prognostic and diagnostic factor during the management of lower limb peripheral arterial disease. Convenient and real-time tissue perfusion monitoring remains an elusive challenge.
Methods: Tissue perfusion on the dorsal and plantar surfaces of both feet of 20 participants was measured during and after cuff-induced ischemia using a novel 4-channel, laser-based perfusion monitoring device based on diffuse speckle contrast analysis technology (Pedra sensors). Participants were free of significant peripheral arterial disease. Transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (TcPO<inf>2</inf>) measurements were recorded concurrently for comparison.
Results: Pedra sensors detected perfusion changes significantly more quickly than TcPO<inf>2</inf> sensors. One minute after induced ischemia, the mean percent changes from baseline values (before ischemia) were -22.7±32.0% and -3.1±8.8% (P<0.001) for Pedra and TcPO<inf>2</inf> sensors, respectively. One minute into induced ischemia, Pedra sensors had reached 50.5% of the 5-minute ischemia reading whereas TcPO<inf>2</inf> sensors had reached only 18.6% of the 5-minute reading (P=0.046). Pedra sensors reported hyperemia immediately after cuff release with a mean percent change from baseline of 143.8±122.3%/173.4±121.8% on the dorsal/plantar surfaces while TcPO<inf>2</inf> measurements were still recording negative changes at that time (-26.7±19.4%/-18.6±24.4% dorsal/plantar). Pedra sensors exhibited markedly lower interobserver and intraobserver variability than TcPO<inf>2</inf> sensors.
Conclusions: A device based on diffuse speckle contrast analysis reported tissue perfusion in real time. Cuff-induced ischemia and hyperemia following cuff release were rapidly and consistently detected on both the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the foot. Diffuse speckle contrast analysis may have value for real-time perfusion monitoring during angiography procedures.