Laser Doppler imaging for early detection of hemorrhage.

Background: Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI) is a noninvasive means to measure blood flow through the superficial skin capillary plexus using flux units. Our objective was to determine the ability of LDI of the skin to detect and quantify rapid, severe hemorrhage.

Methods: Five Yucatan mini-pigs (25-35 kg) underwent controlled hemorrhage of 25 mL/kg blood for 20 minutes.