Measurement of microcirculation in clinical research

Birkhoff, W.A.J. (2023)

Doctoral Thesis

Microvascular issues can precede major macrovascular diseases and their measurements can predict long-term cardiovascular disease and survival. Therefore, early interventions on microvascular issues can potentially delay later cardiovascular problems. 

Microcirculation is critical for tissue perfusion, exchange of nutrients, oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and interstitial fluid, and in vascular homeostasis.  Assessing the microcirculation is challenging due to spatially heterogeneous structure and variability in perfusion over time and under different conditions.
The thesis aims to evaluate standardized techniques for investigating microcirculation. Although numerous techniques are used to assess microvasculature, there's no consensus on which is the most suitable for evaluating microcirculation. The dissertation also explores the possibilities and impossibilities of measuring the microvasculature for pharmacodynamic outcomes of new interventions and medications, and highlights the need for further research to develop effective interventions targeting microcirculation.

• Microvascular measurements
• New devices
• Clinical validation
• Hyperspectral camera
• Minimally invasive
• Microvascular dysfunction
• Sickle cell disease

• All authors: Birkhoff, W.A.J.
• Supervisor: Cohen, A.F.; Meurs, J.C. van
• Co-supervisor: Gal, P.
• Committee: Rotmans, J.I.; Quax, P.H.A.; Born, L.I. van den; Kemme, M.J.B.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University
• Date: 2023-06-20
• Sponsorship: The publication of this theisis was financially supported by the foundation Centre for Human Drug Research in Leiden, the Netherlands