Abstract
Skin temperature has long been used as a natural indicator of vascular diseases in the extremities. Considerable correlation between oscillations in skin surface temperature and oscillations of skin blood flow has previously been demonstrated. We hypothesised that the impairment of blood flow in stenotic (subcutaneous) peripheral arteries would influence cutaneous temperature such that, by measuring gradients in the temperature distribution over skin surfaces, one may be able to diagnose or quantify the progression of vascular conditions in whose pathogenesis a reduction in subcutaneous blood perfusion plays a critical role (e.g. peripheral artery disease). As proof of principle, this study investigates the local changes in the skin temperature of healthy humans (15 male, [Formula: see text] years old, BMI [Formula: see text]kg/m 2) undergoing two physical challenges designed to vary their haemodynamic status. Skin temperature was measured in four central regions (forehead, neck, chest, and left shoulder) and four peripheral regions (left upper arm, forearm, wrist, and hand) using an infrared thermal camera. We compare inter-region patterns. Median temperature over the peripheral regions decreased from baseline after both challenges (maximum decrease: [Formula: see text]°C at 60s after exercise; [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]°C at 180s of cold-water immersion; [Formula: see text]). Median temperature over the central regions showed no significant changes. Our results show that the non-contact measurement of perfusion-related changes in peripheral temperature from infrared video data is feasible. Further research will be directed towards the thermographic study of patients with symptomatic peripheral vascular disease.
Highlights
P ERIPHERAL arterial disease (PAD) of the lower extremities is a highly prevalent condition
Blood pressure (BP) was measured at one-minute intervals using a brachial cuff applied to the right arm (M10-IT oscillometric monitor, Omron Healthcare, Ltd., Kyoto, Japan)
We propose a novel method for the analysis of radiance images for the non-contact measurement of perfusion-related changes in skin temperature from infrared video data, as shown schematically in the diagram of Fig. 2 and described in the sections below
Summary
P ERIPHERAL arterial disease (PAD) of the lower extremities is a highly prevalent condition. Diabetes mellitus and smoking are the main risk factors for symptomatic PAD [3]. Other risk factors include old age, male gender, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperhomocyteinemia, and renal insufficiency [4]. As plaque builds up in the arteries carrying blood from the heart to the peripheries, the extent of plaque increase leads to narrowing of the lumen, restricting blood flow (BF) to the periphery, and reducing the ability of the body to regulate the peripheral temperature [6]. We hypothesise that an abnormal distribution of surface temperature over the extremities may, be an indicator of abnormal blood flow supply to the affected regions
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