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Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy: Getting the Capillary Refill Test Under One's Thumb
Published on: December 2, 2017
Research Progress on the Measurement Methods and Clinical Significance of Capillary Refill Time
Yuxiang Xia1, Zhe Guo2, Xinrui Wang1
1School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, 30 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District Beijing, Beijing 102218, China.
Abstract:
The monitoring of peripheral circulation, as indicated by the capillary refill time, is a sensitive and accurate method of assessing the microcirculatory status of the body. It is a widely used tool for the evaluation of critically ill patients, the guidance of therapeutic interventions, and the assessment of prognosis. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on microcirculation monitoring which has led to an increased focus on capillary refill time. The International Sepsis Guidelines, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, and the American Heart Association all recommend its inclusion in the evaluation of the system in question. Furthermore, the methodology for its measurement has evolved from a traditional manual approach to semiautomatic and fully automatic techniques. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the current research on the measurement of capillary refill time, with a particular focus on its clinical significance. The aim is to provide a valuable reference for clinicians and researchers and further advance the development and application of microcirculation monitoring technology.
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