Assessment of cutaneous microvascular function using laser doppler flowmetry and acetylcholine iontophoresis

Drummond, P.D. (2017) Assessment of cutaneous microvascular function using laser doppler flowmetry and acetylcholine iontophoresis. In: Humbert, P., Fanian, F., Maibach, H.I. and Agache, P., (eds.) Agache's Measuring the Skin. Springer International Publishing, pp. 539-547.

Abstract

Laser Doppler flowmetry has been employed for many years to assess cutaneous microvascular function in health and disease. It is often used in conjunction with transdermal iontophoresis or microdialysis of acetylcholine, as this provides information about the integrity both of the microvascular endothelium and the cutaneous sensory nerve supply. Unfortunately, widespread application of these techniques has been impeded by methodological difficulties – particularly concerning errors introduced by nonspecific responses to iontophoresis and the relatively poor reproducibility of spot measures of blood flow, and a lack of standardisation both in the form of drug delivery and the expression of blood flow data. Nevertheless, transdermal iontophoresis of acetylcholine appears to be useful for detecting the extent of microvascular disturbances in patients with cardiovascular disease, and for identifying deficits in small fiber function in patients with peripheral neuropathy. As this technique is safe and non-invasive, it holds great promise as tool for assessing microvascular and neural responses that reflect important elements of cardio- and neurovascular health.

Publication Type:	Book Chapter
Murdoch Affiliation:	School of Psychology and Exercise Science
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Copyright:	© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/42551

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