Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate microcirculartory changes of the postocclusive reactive hyperaemia test measured with Laser Doppler fluxmetry to detect results of arterial reconstructions.
Design: Prospective open study.
Setting: Vascular laboratory of a University Hospital.
Material: Sixty patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease who underwent infrainguinal reconstruction were examined the day before and 1-2 days after surgery.
Chief outcome measures: The values were obtained during postocclusive reactive hyperaemia induced by release of a 3 min arterial occlusion with a cuff at ankle level with the laser Doppler probe placed dorsally on the first toe. The alterations after surgery in these hyperaemia parameters were compared to changes in ankle/brachial index and clinical improvement at 30 days postoperatively.
Main results: Patients improved by surgery according to ankle/brachial index had significantly reduced time to peak (p < 0.001) and significantly increased resting flux value (p < 0.05) and peak flux value (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the change after surgery in time to peak flux and increment of ankle/brachial index (r = 0.63, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Changes in reactive hyperaemia values as measured with laser Doppler fluxmetry, especially the time to peak flux, seem to detect circulatory changes caused by arterial reconstructions.