Laser Doppler perfusion imaging--a new technique for measuring breast skin blood flow

Future detection of breast cancer will probably be based on tissue function such as altered vascularity and blood flow. Assessment of tumour blood flow and its pattern may be significant for prognostic prediction, and early evaluation of treatment response. An ideal method of assessment of perfusion would therefore measure a wide area of the breast without the necessity for surface contact. A possible method for achieving this ideal is the recent development of a laser Doppler imager (LDI) that creates an image of tissue perfusion. The method is based on the recording of Doppler shift caused by movements of red blood cells in the backscattered light of a laser beam that successively scans a certain tissue area. This method reflects the vascularity of overlaying skin. We have applied this technique to 101 patients, 47 normal, 25 benign, and 29 carcinoma. Our findings were correlated with breast imaging and tissue diagnosis. The mean blood flow in 'normal' patients was 299 +/- 155 and 311 +/- 157 flux (+/- SD) for right and left breast, in patients with benign breast change it was 482 +/- 209 flux and in patients with carcinoma it was 711 +/- 280 flux. Patients with benign breast change have higher skin blood flow than symptomatic normal patients but the highest levels have been recorded in patients with breast cancer. We believe that LDI may have an important role in improving our understanding of the physiology of the normal breast and may provide a practical method of monitoring breast skin blood flow changes in clinical situations.

Ischaemia of the small intestine in patients with systemic sclerosis: Raynaud's phenomenon or chronic vasculopathy?

We investigated duodenal and gastric mucosal blood flow by endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in ten patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and in ten healthy volunteers. In addition, we tested for the presence of small bowel bacterial overgrowth by jejunal aspiration. Jejunal aspiration and LDF were done consecutively, via a gastroscope, using a flexible catheter and laser Doppler probe. Following these procedures, two duodenal biopsies were obtained for light and electron microscopy. Mean duodenal and gastric blood flow were significantly lower in patients with SSc than in normal subjects (516 flux units vs. 240, 521 vs. 202, both p < 0.001). There was no correlation between age and blood flow in patients or volunteers. Four of the ten patients had evidence of significant bacterial overgrowth on jejunal aspiration (> 10(5) colony-forming units/ml). These findings support the hypothesis that within the small intestine of patients with SSc, factors independent of bacterial overgrowth may be responsible for malabsorption. The observed reduction in small-intestine mucosal blood flow may play an important contributory role. Further studies are required to determine whether this represents reversible or chronic progressive ischaemia, and its effect on nutrient absorption.

Validation of volume blood flow measurements using three-dimensional distance-concentration functions derived from digital x-ray angiograms

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The authors present phantom validation of a method for computing pulsatile flow waveforms in arterial vessels from high-frame-rate biplane x-ray angiograms.

METHODS

The three-dimensional course of a blood vessel is constructed from biplane digital x-ray angiograms. A parametric image of contrast mass versus time and true three-dimensional path length is generated. Adjacent contrast mass-distance profiles are matched to compute instantaneous velocity, which is multiplied by cross-sectional area to yield volume flow. An electromagnetic flowmeter was used to validate flow estimates in a phantom consisting of 150-mm tubes 3, 4, and 6 mm in diameter, orientated 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 35 degrees to the imaging plane, with flow rates and waveforms expected in vivo.

RESULTS

Mean and peak flows were accurate to within 9% and 10%, respectively, for velocities of less than 1 meter/second at a frame rate of 25 frames per second.

CONCLUSIONS

A practical method for computing highly pulsatile flow waveforms in vivo in tortuous vessels is presented.

Comparison of laser Doppler perfusion imaging, laser Doppler flowmetry, and thermographic imaging for assessment of blood flow in human skin

In this study we compared three non-invasive methods of measuring skin perfusion, thermographic imaging (TI), laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and the new technique of laser Doppler imaging (LDI). Seven normal volunteers were studied in a temperature-controlled room with an ambient temperature of 22 +/- 1 degree C. Images of the left hand were recorded using LDI followed by TI. LDF was then used on two standard locations on the fingers and back of the hand. The measurements were then repeated for a hot (37 degrees C) and then a cold (10 degrees C) challenge. A significant linear correlation (r = 0.960, p < 0.01, with 95% confidence limit of 0.35-0.77, n = 38) was found between LDF and LDI. However, LDF and LDI did not correlate well with TI (r = 0.577, p < 0.01, with 95% confidence limit of 0.32-0.76, n = 38). The LDI method was found to be highly reproducible (mean +/- 1 SD; 625 +/- 30, with coefficient of variation 5%). The blood flow and temperature distribution of skin of the hand was then recorded using TI and LDI in 10 patients (mean age +/- SD, 41.7 +/- 9.9) with scleroderma and eight normal volunteers (mean age +/- SD, 30.6 +/- 6.5). The overall mean blood flow and temperature in the hands of patients with scleroderma (mean +/- SD 444 +/- 265 flux, 29.3 +/- 3.3 degrees C) was significantly (p < 0.0001) lower compared with the normal volunteers (mean +/- SD, 912 +/- 390 flux, 34.0 +/- 3.2 degrees).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Superior mesenteric artery blood flow in man measured with intra-arterial Doppler catheters: effect of octreotide

Changes in splanchnic blood flow are important in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension, but research in this area is hampered by the difficulty in measuring splanchnic arterial blood flow in man. We therefore investigated the use of intra-arterial Doppler catheters in measuring superior mesenteric artery blood flow in man and assessed the effect of intravenous octreotide on superior mesenteric artery blood flow in a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Nine experiments were performed in a flow model using vessels with internal diameters of 6.5, 4.5 and 3.0 mm, with flow rates ranging from 50 to 700 ml/min. In this model the catheters gave instantaneous, reproducible measurements of blood flow in vessels of 6.5 mm internal diameter with a mean error ranging from +5.3% to +36.4%, compared to electromagnetic flowmetry, but were less accurate in smaller vessels. When used in patients, the catheters provided stable, reproducible measurements of superior mesenteric blood flow, in 16 out of 20 patients studied. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, including 12 subjects, superior mesenteric artery blood flow was significantly reduced in patients receiving octreotide. We suggest that measurement of splanchnic arterial blood flow using intra-arterial Doppler catheters may be a useful additional investigation in the assessment of splanchnic vascular pathophysiology and pharmacology in man.

The measurement of blood flow waveforms from X-ray angiography. Part 1: Principles of the method and preliminary validation

The principles and implementation of a method for measurement of blood flow waveforms from X-ray angiography are described. Contrast medium mass values are obtained at multitudinous positions along individual vessels and from numerous images in a time sequence. These values are represented as a matrix of grey levels in a parametric image. This image is normalized to represent contrast medium concentration, and the movement over time of isoconcentration portions of the contrast bolus is recovered to determine blood flow. Preliminary validation has been undertaken using parametric images generated in two ways: synthesis from a computer model of vascular pulsatile flow and analysis of cine-angiograms of physical models (plastic and perspex tubes) carrying known pulsatile flows. Two distinct methods for interrogation of parametric images by digital image processing were employed; both provided accurate flow measurements.

Validation of a quantitative radiographic technique to estimate pulsatile blood flow waveforms using digital subtraction angiographic data

We have validated a new radiographic technique for determining pulsatile volume flow in arteries following an intraarterial injection of contrast material. Instantaneous blood velocities were estimated by generating a parametric image from dynamic angiographic images in which the image grey level represents contrast material concentration as a function of time and distance along a vessel segment. Adjacent concentration--distance profiles in the parametric image were shifted with respect to distance until a match occurred. A match was defined as the point where the sum of squares of the differences in the two profiles was a minimum. The distance translated per frame interval gives the instantaneous contrast material bolus velocity. We have validated the technique using an experimental phantom of blood circulation, consisting of a pump, flexible plastic tubing, the tubular probe of an electromagnetic flowmeter (EMF) and a solenoid, to simulate a pulsatile flow waveform, which includes reverse flow. Small boluses of contrast material can be injected at various positions in the circuit. Measurements of pulsatile velocity flow were taken at 40 ms intervals, using a tube of 6.6 mm internal diameter and an imaged tube length of 200 mm. The shape of the flow velocity waveform was faithfully reproduced but there was an overestimation of peak velocity of 40% at low velocities (peak velocity of 540 mm s-1), reducing to 19% at peak velocities of 964 mm s-1 with an underestimation of 16% at the peak velocities of 1899 mm s-1. The validation was repeated for distances ranging from 130 to 230 mm between injection and measurement sites and for imaged tube lengths varying from 200 to 20 mm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Measurement of liver blood flow: a review

The study of hepatic haemodynamics is of importance in understanding both hepatic physiology and disease processes as well as assessing the effects of portosystemic shunting and liver transplantation. The liver has the most complicated circulation of any organ and many physiological and pathological processes can affect it. This review surveys the methods available for assessing liver blood flow, examines the different parameters being measured and outlines problems of applicability and interpretation for each technique. The classification of these techniques is to some extent arbitrary and several so called "different" methods may share certain common principles. The methods reviewed have been classified into two groups (Table 1): those primarily reflecting flow through discrete vessels or to the whole organ and those used to assess local microcirculatory blood flow. All techniques have their advantages and disadvantages and in some situations a combination may provide the most information. In addition, because of the many factors affecting liver blood flow and sinusoidal perfusion, readings in a single subject may vary depending on positioning, recent food intake, anxiety, anaesthesia and drug therapy. This must be borne in mind if different studies are to be meaningfully compared.

Continuous intraoperative monitoring of hepatic blood perfusion using a noninvasive surface electrode

Continuous noninvasive measurement of local blood flow at one or more chosen sites will be useful during experiments on the liver, during liver surgery, or after hepatic transplantation. We have compared a Clark-type flow-dependent oxygen electrode having a 3-mm-diameter cathode applied to the surface of rabbit liver to an electromagnetic flowmeter (EMF) on the portal vein. Reduction in portal flow (ranging from 4 to 100% and maintained over 2 min), correlated with reduction in electrode output (r = 0.944, P less than 0.001). Electrode output was independent of systemic arterial PO2 (ranging from 85 to 340 mm Hg) (P greater than 0.99) and thus of oxygen in inspired gases. These results indicate that this electrode gives a continuous indication of portal venous inflow when hepatic central inflow is undisturbed and may thus prove to be a useful tool in the clinical assessment of liver perfusion.

A new algorithm for deriving pulsatile blood flow waveforms tested using stimulated dynamic angiographic data

In vascular pathology the assessment of disease severity and monitoring of treatment requires quantitative and reproducible measurements of arterial blood flow. We have developed a new technique for processing sequences of dynamic digital X-ray angiographic images. We have tested it using computer simulated angiographic data which includes the effect of pulsatile blood flow and X-ray quantum noise. A parametric image was formed in which the image grey-level represents dye concentration as a function of time and distance along a vessel segment. Adjacent concentration--distance profiles in the parametric image were re-registered along the vessel axis until a match occurred. A match was defined as the point where the sum of squares of the differences in the two profiles was a minimum. The distance translated per frame interval is equal to the bolus velocity. We have tested several contrast medium injection methods including constant flow and a range of discrete pulses per second. The technique proved to be robust and independent of injection technique. Average blood flow was measured for simulated pulsatile waveforms with mean flows of up to 650 ml/min (peak velocities up to 186 cm/s) in a range of diameters from 2 mm to 6 mm. The standard deviation of the error in the mean flow estimates over the whole range of velocities and vessel sizes was +/- 1.4 cm/s.