Evaluation of hyperspectral imaging technology in patients with peripheral vascular disease

Abstract

Background: Hyperspectral imaging technology is a novel method of using transcutaneous measurement of oxyhemoglobin (HT-Oxy) and deoxyhemoglobin (HT-Deoxy) concentrations to create a two-dimensional, color-coded "oxygen map." The aims of this study were to compare the use of a hyperspectral imaging device with the transcutaneous oxygen measurement (TCOM), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and severity of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and to assess their correlations.

Methods: This prospective study recruited 294 participants divided into three distinct groups composed of healthy volunteers and patients with PVD. Patients underwent measurements of lower limbs at a standardized point over the head of the first metatarsal on the plantar aspect using the hyperspectral imaging device, generating four outputs including HT-Oxy, HT-Deoxy, oxygen saturation (HT-Sat), and skin temperature, and the TCOM system, generating transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (TcpO₂) and carbon dioxide (TcpCO₂). Demographic data, severity of PVD, ABI, and other pertinent information were obtained from both the participants and medical records.

Results: Interoperator reliability ranged from 86% to 94% across the four hyperspectral imaging device outputs, whereas intraoperator reliability ranged from 92% to 94%. The HT-Oxy, HT-Sat, TcpCO₂, and ABI of the diseased limb correlated significantly with the severity of PVD. HT-Sat significantly correlated with TcpO₂ (R = 0.19), TcpCO₂ (R = -0.26), ABI (R = 0.42), and skin temperature (R = 0.56). HT-Deoxy also correlated with TcpCO₂ (R = 0.27).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the reliability of hyperspectral imaging in comparison to TCOM, ABI, skin temperature, and severity of PVD in a series of patients. Its correlation to other established modalities and low interoperator and intraoperator variability could enable this modality to be a useful screening tool in PVD.