The characteristics of laser-Doppler flowmetry for the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow.

The fundamental characteristics of laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF), especially the depth of cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement, have not been widely studied in the brain tissue; however, LDF has been widely used in recent clinical and experimental studies. We investigated the depth of CBF measurement and other characteristics related to the use of LDF in the brain. In an animal experimental study, the distribution of laser light and the depth of CBF measurement of LDF were measured by using modified LDF probes. CBF in various conditions was also measured by the LDF and hydrogen clearance method. Laser light of low output lost directivity and was dispersed into a hemispherical form in the brain tissue. The depth of CBF measurement was approximately 100 to 400 microns, depending on the intensity of the emitted laser light, and was affected by changes of CBF. In the physiological condition, the close correlation between the values of CBF by the LDF and hydrogen clearance method was obtained. After cardiac arrest, the CBF value of LDF did not immediately show a 0 value. LDF has several special characteristics, and the sample volume was very small. It is important to pay attention to the several special characteristics of LDF.