Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between serum markers of inflammation and microcirculatory parameters observed by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in hypertensive patients Design and method: It is a cross-sectional study. Patients with resistant (RH, 58 [50–63] years, n = 25) or mild to moderate hypertension (MMH, 56[47–64], n = 25) were compared to normotensive ones (Control Group – CG, 33 [27–52], n = 25). C-reactive protein (CRP), endothelin, adiponectin, I-CAM and V-CAM were obtained by laboratorial analysis. Functional capillary density (FCD, number of capillaries with flowing red blood cells by unit tissue area) and capillary diameters, maximum red blood cell velocity (RBCVmax) during the reactive hyperemia response/RBCVbaseline after 1 min arterial occlusion at the finger base and time to reach RBCVmax were determined by NVC. A sub-analysis was also conducted on hypertensive patients not taking statins, with controlled/uncontrolled blood pressure. Results: RH group showed lower RBCV and RBCVmax values and higher TRBCVmax compared to MMH and CG ones (p < 0,007) with worse values in patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (p < 0,008). FCD and diameters showed no significant differences among the three groups, with higher CRP values in RH and MMH groups. An increase in endothelin was seen only in patients not taking statins in both hypertensive groups. The NVC analyzes were adjusted for confounding factors. Conclusions: Patients with severe hypertension and uncontrolled blood pressure levels presented more pronounced microvascular dysfunction, as well as higher serum values for CRP and endothelin. It is possible that the use of statins decrease endothelin release.
Published Version
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