Author/Authors :
Neubauer-Geryk, Jolanta Clinical Physiology Unit - Medical Simulation Centre - Medical University of Gdansk, Poland , Hoffmann, Magdalena Medical Centre - Pruszcz Gdanski, Poland , Wielicka, Melanie Clinical Physiology Unit - Medical Simulation Centre/Students’ Scientific Circle - Medical University of Gdansk, Poland , Piec, Katarzyna Department of Neurology - Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz - Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland , Kozera, Grzegorz Department of Neurology - Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz - Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland , Brzeziński, Maciej Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery - Medical University of Gdansk, poland , Bieniaszewski, Leszek Clinical Physiology Unit - Medical Simulation Centre - Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
Abstract :
Microcirculation accounts for about 99% of blood vessels in adults and mediates between the arterial and venous parts of the cardiovascular system, both structurally and functionally. Skin microcirculation consists of two vascular plexuses: superficial and deep. Microcirculation includes vessels with a diameter of less than 150 μm, i.e. arteries, small veins, lymphatic vessels and arteriovenous anastomoses, which build the microcirculation unit. Skin microcirculation may be affected both in systemic pathologies and specific skin disorders. Several non-invasive techniques are available to assess the skin microcirculation. The clinical value is recognised for capillaroscopy and videocapillaroscopy, laser Doppler flowmetry thermography and transcutaneous oxygen measurement. The list of methods that may be used in clinical research also includes: photoplethysmography, orthogonal spectral polarization, near infrared spectroscopy and tissue reflectance spectrophotometry and optical coherence tomography.
