[Correlation Between the Results of Photoplethysmography and Modified Allen Test in Healthy Volunteers of Different Ages].

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the correlation between the results of photoplethysmography and modified Allen test in healthy volunteers of different ages.METHODS:In 240 healthy volunteers of 3 different age groups, namely the young group (below 40 years of age, n=98), middle-aged group (between 40 and 60 years, n=74) and senior group (above 60 years, n=68), photoplethysmography and modified Allen test were performed to evaluate the recovery time of the hand circulation after relief of ulnar artery compression, and the correlation between the results of the two tests was analyzed.RESULTS:The results of photoplethysmography and modified Allen test showed a positive linear correlation (P<0.01). The recovery time of hand circulation in the senior group was significantly longer than that in the young group and middle-aged group (P<0.01). In each group, the recovery time of the blood flow as defined by modified Allen test was significantly shorter than that determined by modified Allen test.CONCLUSION:The results of photoplethysmography and modified Allen test show a good positive linear correlation in determining the recovery time of hand blood flow in healthy volunteers of different ages after relief of the ulnar artery compression, but the results of latter test can be more objective.