Microvascular research
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Microvascular research · Nov 2019
Comparative StudyThe effects of aging and cardiovascular risk factors on microvascular function assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy.
This study aimed to evaluate whether NIRS-derived reperfusion rate would detect potential differences in the forearm microvascular responsiveness between young healthy adults, and older adults free from or with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Fifteen healthy young (age: 24.8 ± 4.0 years), seventeen older adults free of CVD risk factors (age: 67.0 ± 6.8 years), and twenty-three older adults with CVD risk factors (age: 67.9 ± 8.0 years) participated this study. ⋯ Although no statistical differences were found between healthy young and older individuals, there was a small (d = 0.4) effect size for reperfusion rate and moderate (d = 0.7) effects size for reperfusion magnitude when comparing these groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that even though the effects of aging per se on microvascular function should not be completely neglected, the CVD risk factors seem to be determinant on microvascular responsiveness impairment associated with aging.
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Microvascular research · Nov 2019
LetterSidestream Dark Field (SDF) imaging of oral microcirculation in the assessment of systemic sclerosis.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic disease characterised by abnormalities in small blood vessels, skin and organ fibrosis. It is assessed using generalised skin thickening scores, autoantibodies and nailfold capillaroscopy. Sidestream Dark Field imaging (SDF) is a non-invasive imaging tool that assesses microcirculation. This study aims to investigate the potential of using SDF as a diagnostic tool in SSc. ⋯ SSc patients showed decreased oral vasculature compared to controls. SDF imaging has shown the ability to be a useful diagnostic tool in the assessment of SSc.