Laser Speckle Imaging in Ischaemic Tissue Loss

Peripheral arterial disease is a condition in which the arteries become narrowed due to a build up of cholesterol, as a result, blood cannot flow efficiently through the arteries and this can compromise the parts of the body supplied by these arteries. In its most severe form, peripheral arterial disease can lead to decomposition of tissues in the feet, leading to ulcers or gangrene. Patients with peripheral arterial disease undergo procedures to improve blood flow. However, there are often multiple arteries to treat and each intervention carries risk. It therefore can be difficult to judge how much treatment is sufficient to promote healing. Laser Speckle Imaging is a technique used to demonstrate blood flow in the skin. It is hoped that changes in skin blood flow, as measured by LSI, immediately after a procedure to improve blood flow, may help in the decision making as to whether further intervention is necessary. An LSI scan will be performed before a procedure for tissue loss and immediately after it is performed. The patient's clinical records will then be checked to see whether the wound has improved and whether the difference in LSI scans correlated with this.