Reviewer's report 
 Effects of abdominal hot compresses on indocyanine green elimination - a randomized cross over Title: 
study in healthy subjects 
 1  8 January 2007 Version: Date: 
 Samir Sakka Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
In 13 healthy volunteers, Dr. Huber et al. studied the effects of abdominal warm wraps on indocyanine 
green plasma disappearance rate (ICG-PDR) as an indicator of hepato-splanchnic blood flow. In their results, no significant increase in ICG-PDR was observed, thus the authors conclude that abdominal warm compresses do not lead to an increase in intestinal blood flow. 
This study is of particular clinical interest. However, I have some comments: 
General comments: 
1. Please mention the results on liver specific enzyme tests you obtained. 
2. You mention in detail the area you warmed, however, data on patients height and weight are missing. 
3. One major limitation is that you did not have any reference technique for your ICG-PDR findings. Did you 
perform Doppler ultrasound or use other reference techniques? 
4. What about variability of ICG-PDR measurements per se ? 
5. Please express ICG half life data also as k-value (%/min). 
6. Your discussion should mention also limitations of your study (see above). 
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have responded to the major What next?: 
compulsory revisions 
 An article whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician. Statistical review: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
I received honoraria from Pulsion Medical Systems AG for giving lectures. 
Reviewer's report 
 Effects of abdominal hot compresses on indocyanine green elimination - a randomized cross over Title: 
study in healthy subjects 
 1  8 January 2007 Version: Date: 
 Samir Sakka Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
In 13 healthy volunteers, Dr. Huber et al. studied the effects of abdominal warm wraps on indocyanine 
green plasma disappearance rate (ICG-PDR) as an indicator of hepato-splanchnic blood flow. In their results, no significant increase in ICG-PDR was observed, thus the authors conclude that abdominal warm compresses do not lead to an increase in intestinal blood flow. 
This study is of particular clinical interest. However, I have some comments: 
General comments: 
1. Please mention the results on liver specific enzyme tests you obtained. 
2. You mention in detail the area you warmed, however, data on patients height and weight are missing. 
3. One major limitation is that you did not have any reference technique for your ICG-PDR findings. Did you 
perform Doppler ultrasound or use other reference techniques? 
4. What about variability of ICG-PDR measurements per se ? 
5. Please express ICG half life data also as k-value (%/min). 
6. Your discussion should mention also limitations of your study (see above). 
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have responded to the major What next?: 
compulsory revisions 
 An article whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician. Statistical review: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
I received honoraria from Pulsion Medical Systems AG for giving lectures. 
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report 
 Effects of abdominal hot compresses on indocyanine green elimination - a randomized cross over Title: 
study in healthy subjects 
 1  8 January 2007 Version: Date: 
 Samir Sakka Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
In 13 healthy volunteers, Dr. Huber et al. studied the effects of abdominal warm wraps on indocyanine 
green plasma disappearance rate (ICG-PDR) as an indicator of hepato-splanchnic blood flow. In their results, no significant increase in ICG-PDR was observed, thus the authors conclude that abdominal warm compresses do not lead to an increase in intestinal blood flow. 
This study is of particular clinical interest. However, I have some comments: 
General comments: 
1. Please mention the results on liver specific enzyme tests you obtained. 
2. You mention in detail the area you warmed, however, data on patients height and weight are missing. 
3. One major limitation is that you did not have any reference technique for your ICG-PDR findings. Did you 
perform Doppler ultrasound or use other reference techniques? 
4. What about variability of ICG-PDR measurements per se ? 
5. Please express ICG half life data also as k-value (%/min). 
6. Your discussion should mention also limitations of your study (see above). 
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have responded to the major What next?: 
compulsory revisions 
 An article whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician. Statistical review: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
I received honoraria from Pulsion Medical Systems AG for giving lectures. 
assistant