Dermal blood flow response to constant pressure in healthy older and younger subjects

This study compared the dermal blood flow response to low levels of compressive pressure in healthy older and younger subjects. Dermal blood flow was measured over the left trochanter of 19 younger (21-45 yrs) and 22 older (> or = 60 yrs) subjects using a laser-Doppler velocitometer. Interface pressure, baseline flow, and flow during 60 minutes of left-side lying on an air mattress were measured. Baseline dermal blood flow did not differ significantly between the older and younger groups. Both groups showed a significant increase in blood flow over time during the 60 minutes of compression. The change in dermal blood flow over time was not significantly different between the two groups. This study demonstrated that healthy persons, regardless of their age, exhibited an increase in dermal blood flow over time at low levels of compressive pressure.