[The Effect of Repeated Local Ischemia on the Temperature and Skin Microcirculation in Human Hand]

Thermal imaging and laser Doppler flowmetry were applied to study the effects of infrared (IR) radiation mediated by vascular response in healthy volunteers during regular unilateral arteriovenous occlusion of one of the fingers (4 times a day for 7 months with a gradual increase in exposure from 10 to 30 min). After repeated unilateral exposure, we observed consistent changes in temperature conditions and modes of thermoregulation of corresponding skin areas of both hands. We discovered a high level of positive correlation between the dynamics of IR emission from the experimental and control skin areas in the recovery phase after clamping, which indicates that systemic vascular response is involved. The possible mechanisms of post-occlusive changes in skin of the distal phalanges are discussed. These data suggest that multiple regular unilateral arteriovenous occlusions enhance the intradermal blood flow and can be used for the prevention of disorders of the peripheral microcirculation in various pathological conditions.