<title>Systemic increase in blood flow in conditions of disturbed microcirculation after low-power laser irradiation</title>

Abstract

As described earlier by our group, topical application of low power laser irradiation seems to have a systemic effect in terms of improving microcirculation in patients suffering from microangiopathic disorders. The aim of the presented study was to prove these clinical findings by measuring the skin temperature as a parameter of microcirculation suing an infrared-thermography-camera system. Patients who attended the Institute for Laser medicine between January and July 1996 and suffered from angiopathy of different origin were examined. The laser system used was a combined IR/HeNe- laser, power output 30mW, irradiation time was varied to keep the IED at a value of 20J/cm2. Irradiation was performed proximally to the affected area, the contralateral side being left untreated, IR-thermography was started after reaching adaption to the room temperature, with pictures of both extremities taken in 10 minute intervals during the irradiation and up to 45 minutes after stopping the irradiation. Results show a rise in temperature over the affected region as well as over the contralateral extremity, with maximal changes of up to + 3.0 degrees C. The improvement of blood flow started 15 min. after the onset of laser irradiation and persisted up to 45 min. after stopping the irradiation. The results obtained are in good accordance with findings of previously performed studies, undertaken with patients with autoimmune-angiopathies such as Buerger's disease. Therefore, we conclude that topical application of low power lasers is able to induce a systemic improvement of blood flow in conditions of disturbed microcirculation.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.