Peripheral microangiopathy in precapillary pulmonary hypertension: a nailfold video capillaroscopy prospective study

Abstract Background Although pulmonary vascular bed has been the main subject of research for many years in hypertension (PH), interest recently started to divert towards possibility a co-existing peripheral microangiopathy. The aim current study was investigate presence nailfold video-capillaroscopic (NVC) structural changes patients with precapillary PH and identify possible associations NVC measurements markers disease severity. Methods ? prospective case–control performed 28 consecutive [14 idiopathic arterial (IPAH) 14 chronic thromboembolic (CTEPH)] 30 healthy controls. quantitative qualitative parameters were evaluated using Optilia Digital Capillaroscope. To ensure inter-observer repeatability capillaroscopic images reviewed by two independent investigators. For multiple comparisons among continuous variables, one-way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis test used. Differences between groups tested post-hoc analysis adjustment (Bonferroni test). Results Both IPAH (71.4% women, mean age 53.1 ± 13.4 years) CTEPH (64.3% 60.9 14.4 presented reduced capillary density compared controls (8.4 1.2 loops/mm 8.0 vs. 9.7 0.81 loops/mm, p < 0.001) increased loop width (15.7 3.9 ?m 15.8 1.9 11.5 2.3 ?m, 0.001). More than half microhaemorrhages on nailfold, while shape abnormalities morphology more thrombi per linear mm detected All non-specific pattern (p Conclusion findings reveal degree significant microvascular alterations CTEPH, suggesting generalized impairment microvasculature disease.