Me. Anderson et al., Non-invasive assessment of digital vascular reactivity in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon and systemic sclerosis, CLIN EXP RH, 17(1), 1999, pp. 49-54
Objective
To examine digital microvascular responses in patients with primary Raynaud
's phenomenon (PRP) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), and compare these to the
responses in healthy control subjects.
Methods
Digital microvascular responses to repeated episodes of iontophoresis of ac
etylcholine chloride (endothelial-dependent), sodium nitroprusside (endothe
lial-independant) and adrenaline were measured using dual-channel laser Dop
pler in 8 healthy control subjects, 8 patients with PRP and 8 patients with
SSc.
Results
There were no significant differences in responses between groups. For each
chemical the greatest response was generally seen in period 7 of the proto
col (after the third episode of iontophoresis). For acetylcholine chloride
in period 7 the age and baseline adjusted ratio of the maximum response of
PRP to control was 0.93, 95% CI (0.26, 3.38) and for SSc to control it was
0.60 95% CI (0.13, 2.81). For sodium nitroprusside in period 7 this age and
baseline adjusted ratio of the maximum response of PRP to control was 1.31
, 95% CI (0.74, 2.32) and for SSe to control it was 1.35, 95% CI (0.68, 2.6
7). For adrenaline in period 7, the age and baseline adjusted ratio of PRP
to control was 1.51, 95% CI (0.79, 2.89) and for SSe to control it was 2.18
, 95% CI (1.01, 4.69).
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the usefulness of iontophoresis of vasoactive chemi
cals, combined with laser Doppler blood flowmetry, in the non-invasive asse
ssment of dermal microvascular responses. One possible explanation for the
lack of difference in responses between groups is that vasoactive chemicals
other than those discussed are important in the pathophysiology of primary
and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon.