DIAGNOSTIC-VALUE OF THE THERMAL CLEARANCE MEASURE OF THE SKIN

Thermal clearance is a measure for local microcirculatory blood flow i n the skin. With a new thermal sensor, clearance of the skin has been evaluated in patients with postthrombotic syndrome (n = 22) and in pat ients with peripheral arterial syndromes of the legs (n = 17) in compa rison with healthy subjects (n = 40). Quantitative parameters as a met hod of measuring thermal clearance have been evaluated. These paramete rs (delta T1, delta T2) are able to well discriminate healthy subjects from patients with disturbances. In all three groups these parameters have been tested about their diagnostic value to obtain limiting valu es. Therefore sensitivity, specifity and their dependence of the preva lence, the so-called predictive values, have been pointed out. Thus a statement is possible, in which situation (unselected patients/outpati ents clinic - angiology) this new kind of measurement, with which limi ting values, can be applied.