Nail Capillaroscopic Findings in Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The nail (fold) microvasculature can be examined non-invasively with capillaroscopy. The endothelium plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis and, in certain instances, the occurance of heart failure. This study was designed to explore microcirculatory alterations by employing nailfold capillaroscopy in individuals with heart failure. Methods: In this observational, prospective study involving individuals with heart failure and controls, nailfold capillaroscopic findings visualized by dermoscopy were evaluated comparatively between the two groups (SPSS version 28.0). Results: A total of 54 participants, consisting of 24 individuals with heart failure and 30 controls without heart failure were included. Nailfold capillaroscopic characteristics significantly more prevalent in the heart failure group compared to the controls included microhemorrhage (70.8% vs. 36.7%), the irregular distribution (20.4% vs. 11.1%), dilation (45.8% vs. 20%) and tortuosity (58.3% vs. 3.3%) (all p<0.05). No significant relationship was found between any of the capillaroscopic features and sex, diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, use of beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors in the last month in heart failure patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: Nailfold capillaroscopy may serve as a useful and easy method to examine systemic microvascular changes in heart failure patients.

Keywords

• Capillaroscopy
• heart failure
• nailfold capillaroscopy
• microcirculatory changes

Nail Capillaroscopic Findings in Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract

References

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