[Laser-Doppler velocimetry: a new technic for evaluating of microcirculation. A reproducibility study]

The recent introduction of the laser-Doppler technique to measure capillary flow velocity offers new prospects in clinical pharmacology. We used this technique in 45 healthy volunteers (23 women and 22 men) to study the capillary network at the distal end of the third finger of the non-dominant hand. Each subject was tested twice at one-week interval. The results showed that the data concerning flow velocity and amplitude were perfectly reproducible, under standard conditions, after one week in each subject. No correlation was found between the microcirculation parameters and the subjects age, weight and, paradoxically, blood pressure and heart rate. We would suggest that this innocuous, sensitive and reproducible technique be used more systematically to evaluate the haemodynamic effects of drugs on capillary blood flow.