Response of digital arteries to endothelium dependent and independent vasodilators in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon
Singh S
Published in European Journal of Clinical Investigation
Methodology
Observational mechanistic study using plethysmography and intra-arterial infusion of endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine) and endothelium-independent (sodium nitroprusside/GTN) vasodilators to assess digital artery responsiveness.
Key Findings
In 16 participants, digital artery responses showed that patients with Raynaud's phenomenon had impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation while endothelium-independent (nitrate-mediated) dilation was preserved, implicating endothelial dysfunction rather than smooth-muscle failure in the vasospastic response.
Conclusions
Case-control study: no significant difference in response to L-arginine between Raynaud's patients and controls.
Limitations
Very small mechanistic study (n=16); no treatment intervention; laboratory vascular measures are surrogates for clinical attack frequency; primary and secondary Raynaud's not fully separated; 1995 methodology superseded by modern imaging.
Outcomes Measured
In 16 participants, digital artery responses showed that patients with Raynaud's phenomenon had impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation while endothelium-independent (nitrate-mediated) dilation was preserved, implicating endothelial dysfunction rather than smooth-muscle failure in the vasospastic response.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Academic institutional funding
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