Microvascular reactivity
REACTIVE HYPEREMIA
Microvascular reactivity was evaluated using a Laser Speckle Contrast Image (Pericam PSI System, Perimed, Sweden) along with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) for continuous reduction of microvascular endothelium-dependent cutaneous perfusion changes expressed in arbitrary perfusion units (APU). A sphygmomanometer was used on the brachial artery to apply a pressure of 50 mmHg above the SBP for three minutes. After rapid decompression, flow changes were recorded to evaluate the PORH. Increased perfusion (%): (peak - Baseline perfusion) /Baseline perfusion x 100. The area under the curve (AUC) augmentation (%): (PORH-AUC - Baseline AUC) /Baseline AUC x 100.