The Effect of Repeated Capillary Refill Tests on the Cutaneous Microcirculation

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Physiology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• The capillary refill test (CR test) is a common bedside assessment in emergency care.
• Capillary refill time (CR time) quantifies circulatory status.
• Understanding factors influencing CR time is crucial for accurate patient assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if repeated CR tests affect CR time measurements.
• To investigate the impact of anatomical site on CR time.

Main Methods:

• Thirteen healthy volunteers participated in the study.
• Repeated CR tests were performed on the sternum, forehead, and fingers.
• Polarized reflectance spectroscopy and dedicated software objectively quantified CR time.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were found between the first and subsequent CR tests.
• Statistically significant differences in CR time were observed across different anatomical locations.

Conclusions:

• Repeated CR tests, with a minimum 2-minute interval, do not influence CR time in healthy subjects.
• The anatomical site chosen for the CR test is a critical factor affecting CR time.