Capillary microvascular function in patients with liver cirrhosis: a nailfold video-capillaroscopy study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Liver cirrhosis is characterized by major circulatory dysregulation, related to an imbalance between several vasoactive agents. Although alterations in intrahepatic and systemic vasculature have been rather well described, the peripheral microcirculation and endothelial function are less well studied. Our aim was to evaluate peripheral microcirculatory function in patients with cirrhosis via nailfold video-capillaroscopy.

Methods

We enrolled 60 patients with cirrhosis and 20 controls. All participants underwent nailfold video-capillaroscopy. Capillary density was measured at rest (baseline), after 4-min arterial occlusion (post-occlusive reactive hyperemia) and after 2-min venous congestion.

Results

Cirrhotic patients presented lower capillary density than

SUBMITTER: Papagiouvanni I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12850683 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature