Korean J Intern Med.  2015 Jan;30(1):1-5. 10.3904/kjim.2015.30.1.1.

Methods for the morphological and functional evaluation of microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis

• Ruaro B
• Smith V
• Sulli A
• Decuman S
• Pizzorni C
• Cutolo M

• KMID: 2129655
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2015.30.1.1

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease characterized by alterations in microvascular structure and function. In these patients, numerous studies have demonstrated a relationship between capillary morphology and peripheral blood perfusion. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy reveals the peripheral microvascular morphology and thus allows classification and scoring of capillary abnormalities with respect to different microangiopathy patterns (early, active, and late). Laser Doppler flowmetry and laser speckle contrast analysis can be used to estimate cutaneous blood flow through microvessels and to assess and quantify blood perfusion at peripheral sites. These two methods are also used to identify changes in digital blood perfusion after the infusion of vasodilators.

Keyword

Systemic sclerosis; Microvascular damage; Nailfold videocapillaroscopy; Laser speckle contrast analysis; Peripheral blood perfusion

MeSH Terms

Blood Flow Velocity
Humans
*Laser-Doppler Flowmetry
*Microcirculation
Microscopic Angioscopy/*methods
Microvessels/*pathology/*physiopathology
Nails
Predictive Value of Tests
Regional Blood Flow
Scleroderma, Systemic/*diagnosis/pathology/physiopathology
Skin/*blood supply
Vasodilator Agents/diagnostic use
*Video Recording
Vasodilator Agents