EFFECTS OF SYMPATHETIC-STIMULATION ON MICROCIRCULATORY DYNAMICS IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL ACROCYANOSIS - A STUDY USING MENTAL STRESS

With the aim of examining possible alterations of the neurogenic regul ation of microvascular hemodynamics, the cutaneous microcirculation in 21 patients with essential acrocyanosis was studied using a laser-Dop pler method both in basal conditions and during mental stress using an arithmetic test. The analysis of results showed a significant reducti on in basal flow (p < 0.02) in patients with acrocyanosis in compariso n to control subjects. In 15 out the 21 patients studied it was found that there was an increase in the flowmetric curve during mental stres s, whereas the test caused a diminished flow in normal subjects. The a ltered response to sympathetic stimulus might be the result of microci rculatory stasis which would provoke an alteration in the neurogenic r egulation mechanisms of microvascular dynamics.