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

Barbara Ruaro, Vanessa Smith, Alberto Sulli, Saskia Decuman, Carmen Pizzorni, Maurizio Cutolo, Barbara Ruaro, Vanessa Smith, Alberto Sulli, Saskia Decuman, Carmen Pizzorni, Maurizio Cutolo

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.

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

Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Nailfoild videocapillaroscopic (×200) patterns of microangiopathy: (A) normal versus (B) early, (C) active, and (D) late patterns. SSc, systemic sclerosis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Laser Doppler flowmetry: 1-minute analysis of blood perfusion in a healthy subject (A) and in a patient with systemic sclerosis (nailfold videocapillaroscopy late pattern) (B). Entity of the blood flow reported as perfusion units (PU).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Imaging of cutaneous blood perfusion using laser speckle contrast analysis at the level of the palmar region in a healthy subject (A) and in a patient with systemic sclerosis (nailfold videocapillaroscopy late pattern) (B).

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Source: PubMed

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