Maximum blood flow and microvascular regulatory responses in systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Objectives. To investigate microvascular function using laser Doppler imaging (LDI) following response to hyperaemia, neurovascular reflex and iontophoresis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) in comparison with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) and age-matched controls. A secondary aim was to evaluate if SSc patients with a higher Medsger vascular score have lower endothelial responses.