Increased capillary fragility in hypertension: Incidence, complications, and treatment

Abstract

1. 1. Capillary fragility was increased in about 18 per cent of 265 cases of hypertension. This incidence was not related to sex, age, or degree of hypertension. 2. 2. Persons with increased capillary fragility are especially predisposed to apoplexy, retinal hemorrhage, and death. 3. 3. Thiocyanate tends to make worse a previously abnormal fragility, or perhaps in certain cases may even change fragility from normal to increased. When this occurs, thiocyanate may be a factor in the causation of apoplexy and other hemorrhagic phenomena. 4. 4. Hesperidin and hesperidin methyl chalcone restored fragility to normal in about 84 per cent of cases of increased capillary fragility. It is hoped, but not yet proved, that this may also lessen the frequency of the complications of increased capillary fragility. 5. 5. It is probable that thiocyanate should not be given to persons with increased capillary fragility, unless or until that fragility has become normal as the result of therapy. After this has been done, thiocyanate apparently can be given with impunity.