Capillary refill

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Capillary refill is the rate at which blood refills empty capillaries. It can be measured by pressing a fingernail until it turns white, and taking note of the time needed for color to return once the nail is released. Normal refill time is less than 2 seconds. The capillary refill time (CRT) is a common measure of peripheral perfusion. It is generally accepted that the test can be highly variable between different patients, and unreliable. It is useful as supporting evidence for a positive sign of poor perfusion to the extremities. The CRT test is also known as the Nail blanch test.[1]

[edit] See also

• Peripheral vascular examination

[edit] External links

• Capillary nail refill test