NAILFOLD MICROCIRCULATION IN NORMOTENSIVE AND ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSIVE SUBJECTS, AS ASSESSED BY VIDEO-MICROSCOPY

Objective: To compare morphological and hemodynamic parameters of skin microcirculation in the fingertip in patients with essential hypertension and normotensive control subjects. Design: Consecutive sample of patients. Methods: Digital capillary blood flow measurements under normal and cooled conditions were assessed by nailfold video capillaroscopy using the technique of flying spot. Results: There was a significant reduction in capillary density in hypertensive patients, compared with normotensive subjects. There was a correlation between capillary density and mean diastolic blood pressure. After local cooling, the frequency of the blood flow stop was significantly higher in hypertensive patients. Conclusion: The finding of abnormal vasoconstriction in finger microcirculation in essential hypertension suggests a vasospastic tendency in the disease.