Relationship between peripheral blood flow in extremities and choroidal circulation
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Evaluation of Capillary and Other Vessel Contribution to Macular Perfusion Density Measured with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: February 18, 2022
A Polunina1, K Gugleta, A Kochkorov
1Ophthalmology Department, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Background:
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between subjectively estimated and objectively measured finger temperature on the one, and choroidal blood flow on the other side.
Patients And Methods:
We measured submacular choroidal blood flow (CBF) in 73 healthy subjects. Based on the history of cold hands and feet, they were divided in three groups, reporting "never", "sometimes" and "always" having cold extremities. As an objective measure of finger temperature, it was recorded at the fingertips with an infrared thermometer (IRT). Analysis of variance for CBF based on the group selection and with blood and intraocular pressures as covariates was performed, as well as the correlation between CBF and IRT.
Results:
There were 37 subjects in the group with "never" cold extremities, 20 in the group with "sometimes", and 16 subjects in the group with "always" cold extremities. Average age was 44.2 ± 12.9 years. CBF was 11.5 ± 7.3 AU (arbitrary units), 13.6 ± 6.1 AU and 14.3 ± 4.6 AU in the three groups, respectively. The ANOVA p-value was 0.04. Pearson's R for correlation between CBF and IRT was - 0.51, p < 0.001.
Conclusion:
Subjectively and objectively, colder extremities are associated with higher CBF, possibly due to the redistribution of blood flow.
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Autoregulation of Blood Flow
Chemical Signaling in Autoregulation
Chemical signaling operates at the precapillary sphincter level, inciting either contraction or relaxation.
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
Blood Flow
Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection
Applications of Integration to Find Blood Flow

