Quantitative study of capillary density in the skin of the foot in peripheral vascular disease

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate possible differences i n capillary density of the skin of the foot between normal subjects and pat ients with peripheral vascular disease. Methods: Using in vivo video microscopy, a method was developed to measure the average capillary density (ACD) of the skin of the foot and toes. In a cross-sectional observational study, 21 patients with intermittent claudica tion and 23 patients with rest pain or ischaemic ulceration were compared w ith 19 age- and sex-matched controls. Results: Mean(s.e.m). values of ACD of the foot were 33.7(1.9) and 34.4(1.7 ) per mm(2) in the right and left sides respectively for controls, 31.2(1.8 ) per mm(2) (P not significant) and 31.9(2.6) per mm(2) (P not significant) in the symptomatic and contralateral sides respectively for patients with claudication, and 22.0(1.8) per mm2 (P < 0.001) and 24.3(1.7) per mm(2) (P < 0.001) in the symptomatic and contralateral sides respectively for patien ts with rest pain or ulceration. Conclusion: Capillary density of the skin of the foot is significantly redu ced in patients with arterial ulceration compared with that in patients wit h claudication and healthy subjects.