Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging: New Technique for Determination of Perfusion and Reperfusion of Splanchnic Organs and Tumor Tissue

Background and Objective: Several investigations indicated that laser Doppler flowmetry on the liver surface reflects relative changes of the total liver blood flow. In this study, Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging (LDI), monitoring the surface only, was used for measurements of tissue perfusion of normal and/or impaired liver, pancreas, spleen, stomach and intestine, and the blood flow of hepatic tumors in rats. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Eighty Wistar/Furth rats were divided into five groups. Group I served as controls. Groups II and III underwent ischémie injury of the liver and intestine with or without the administration of WEB2170, a platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist. Laser-induced photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizing S-amino levulinic acid sensitization was performed in Groups IV and V. Results: Normal pancreas and intestine had a high LDI perfusion value and the liver and stomach exhibited a medium perfusion value whereas the perfusion value from the spleen was low. WEB 2170 improved the reperfusion of the postischemic liver and intestine. An immediate decrease in surface blood flow of hepatic tissue treated by laser-induced PDT and a decreased blood flow in large tumors were observed. Conclusion: LDI is a useful technique for the measurement of tissue perfusion of various splanchnic organs or tumor tissues.