The microcirculation is the final station for oxygen transport to tissues and plays a key role in the cardiovascular system [1]. It includes all of the vessels that are smaller than 100 micrometer in diameter and has a crucial role in blood and tissue interactions in terms of both physiological and pathophysiological states. Microcirculatory alterations are independent of systemic hemodynamic variables such as blood pressure, cardiac output and heart rate. Therefore microcirculation observations are a potentially important extension of conventional systemic hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients [2,3]. These findings have been made possible by our introduction of handheld microscopes to surgery and intensive care.

[1] Ince C (2005) The microcirculation is the motor of sepsis. Critical Care 9(suppl.4):S13-S19
[2] Top AP, Ince C, de Meij N, van Dijk M, Tibboel D. (2011) Persistent low microcirculatory vessel density in nonsurvivors of sepsis in the pediatric intensive care. Crit Care Med;39(1):8-19.
[3] Edul VS, Enrico C, Laviolle B, Vazquez AR, Ince C, Dubin A (2012) Quantitative assessment of the microcirculation in healthy volunteers and in patients with septic shock. Crit Care Med;40(5):1443-1448.