Laser doppler flowmetry in the hyperbaric environment.

Continuous monitoring of laser Doppler (LD) flowmetry was performed in eight healthy volunteers (mean age 42.0 + 12.1 yr; range 25-62 yr) before, during and after hyperbaric oxygenation ([HBO at 2.5 and 1.95 ATA (atmosphere absolute)]).Two models of the discrimination analysis are presented which allow classification, resulting from the parameter obtained by the LD flowmetry.The results show that 100% separation of the LD data under HBO at 2.5 and 1.95 ATA including five parameters can be achieved with the first model. The second model for the analysis of four different phases with eight parameters still shows an obvious separation; however, only 75% of the group integration is correct. In addition to transcutaneous P(2) measurements, which are sometimes difficult to obtain perfectly, LD parameters will be of interest to manage HBO treatment, especially when peripheral circulation is reduced.