Roustit M et al. - This study shows an abnormal digital neurovascular response to local heating in SSc. Thermal hyperaemia could be monitored as a clinical test for neurovascular function in SSc. Methods
Study to investigate neurovascular dysfunction using the axon reflex-dependent hyperaemiain fingers of pts with SSc or primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP)
10 healthy subjects, 10 pts with primary RP and 16 pts with SSc participated in a protocol focusing on the finger circulation
Lidocaine/prilocaine cream was applied for 1 h to produce local blockade of cutaneous sensory nerves
Laser Doppler probes were heated from skin temperature to 42°C for 30 min, and 44°C for 5 min to achieve maximal skin blood flow
Results
In healthy volunteers, a higher initial peak on the finger vs forearm was observed
In primary RP pts, a decreased initial peak following lidocaine/prilocaine pre-treatment in the finger with anaesthesia was observed
In contrast, pre-treatment did not alter the initial peak in pts with SSc
A minute-by-minute analysis showed no delay of the initial peak
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