1
|
Willems S, Smith V, Wallaert S, Gotelli E, Du Four T, Wyckstandt K, Cere A, Cutolo M. Description of Peripheral Blood Perfusion by Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis (LASCA) in 'Early' versus 'Clinically Overt' Systemic Sclerosis in Routine Clinics. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13091566. [PMID: 37174957 PMCID: PMC10177938 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13091566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate in an unselected, systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort if baseline laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) peripheral blood perfusion (PBP) measurements differ between 'early' SSc (without skin involvement, or 'limited' SSc-LSSc) and 'clinically overt' SSc (with skin involvement, limited cutaneous SSc-LcSSc and diffuse cutaneous SSc-DcSSc) in routine setting. METHODS A group of twenty consecutive 'early' SSc patients and forty consecutive 'clinically overt' SSc patients (twenty LcSSc and twenty DcSSc) underwent clinical and LASCA examinations (to assess the peripheral blood perfusion [PBP] of both hands volar). RESULTS No statistically significant difference in adjusted PBP was found in the 'early' versus the 'clinically overt' group (p = 0.77) when adjusted for possible confounding factors (e.g., vasoactive medication, active smoking, history of DTL and disease duration). A wide variability was noted when observing the individual datapoints of each subset. CONCLUSION This study with an unselected SSc population in daily routine, non-research setting, showed there was no difference in adjusted PBP at baseline between 'early' SSc and 'clinically overt' SSc when corrected for possible confounding factors. Interestingly a wide variation of individual datapoints were observed in each subset, which emphasizes the heterogeneity of SSc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seppe Willems
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Inflammation Research Center (IRC), Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Wallaert
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emanuele Gotelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Tessa Du Four
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kaat Wyckstandt
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andrea Cere
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, 16132 Genova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Di Battista M, Morganti R, Tani E, Da Rio M, Della Rossa A, Mosca M. Definition and application of proximal-distal gradient finger perfusion in systemic sclerosis by laser speckle contrast analysis. Microvasc Res 2021; 140:104307. [PMID: 34971696 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2021.104307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) the perfusion of the fingers shows an alteration of the physiological proximal-distal gradient (PDG). The aim of this study is to provide a generalizable definition of PDG, applying it in a cohort of SSc patients and healthy controls (HC) using laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA). METHODS Adult consecutive SSc patients and HC were enrolled. Peripheral blood perfusion of the hands was evaluated by LASCA, subsequently obtaining 3 different regions of interest: from the distal interphalangeal joint to the fingertip (DIST), from the metacarpophalangeal joint to the distal interphalangeal joint (PROX), and of the whole finger (TOT). A PDG formula independent of both intra- and inter-personal factors was then built. The PDG formula so obtained was: [(DIST × 2.63) - PROX]/TOT. RESULTS Ninety-four SSc patients (79.8% female, mean age 58.7 years) were enrolled. Applying the PDG formula, SSc patients revealed mean PDG values significantly lower than HC (1.82 ± 0.44 PU vs 2.70 ± 0.38 PU; p < 0.0001). Patients with a previous history of digital ulcers presented significant lower PDG values (p = 0.002). The ROC curve analysis identified in 2.28 PU the best PDG cut-off value between SSc and HC, with 86% sensibility and 90% specificity. CONCLUSION This study provided a PDG formula generalizable to all kind of subjects, applying it in SSc with great sensibility and specificity using LASCA, the best non-invasive imaging technique for the dynamical evaluation of peripheral perfusion. LASCA-PDG appears also as a tool able to identify a subclinical microangiopathic impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eva Tani
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Marta Mosca
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Al Abdi S, Almoushref A, Naal T, Melillo CA, Aulak KS, Ahmed MK, Chatterjee S, Highland KB, Dweik RA, Tonelli AR. Cutaneous iontophoresis of vasoactive medications in patients with scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. Microcirculation 2021; 29:e12734. [PMID: 34741773 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It remains unknown whether the cutaneous microvascular responses are different between patients with scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) and SSc without pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS We included 59 patients with SSc between March 2013 and September 2019. We divided patients into 4 groups: (a) no PH by right heart catheterization (RHC) (n = 8), (b) no PH by noninvasive screening tests (n = 16), (c) treatment naïve PAH (n = 16), and (d) PAH under treatment (n = 19). Microvascular studies using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) were done immediately after RHC or at the time of an outpatient clinic visit (group b). RESULTS The median (IQR) age was 59 (54-68) years, and 90% were females. The responses to local thermal stimulation and postocclusive reactive hyperemia, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside iontophoresis were similar among groups. The microvascular response to treprostinil was more pronounced in SSc patients without PH by screening tests (% change: 340 (214-781)) compared with SSc-PAH (naïve + treatment) (Perfusion Units (PU) % change: 153 (94-255) % [p = .01]). The response to A-350619 (a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator) was significantly higher in patients with SSc without PH by screening tests (PU % change: 168 (46-1,296)) than those with SSc-PAH (PU % change: 22 (15-57) % [p = .006]). The % change in PU with A350619 was directly associated with cardiac index and stroke volume index (R: 0.36, p = .03 and 0.39, p = .02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Patients with SSc-PAH have a lower cutaneous microvascular response to a prostacyclin analog treprostinil and the sGC activator A-350619 when compared with patients with SSc and no evidence of PH on screening tests, presumably due to a peripheral reduction in prostacyclin receptor expression and nitric oxide bioavailability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sami Al Abdi
- Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Allaa Almoushref
- Internal medicine Department, University of Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Tawfeq Naal
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Celia A Melillo
- Inflammation and Immunity Department, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Kulwant S Aulak
- Inflammation and Immunity Department, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Mostafa K Ahmed
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Soumya Chatterjee
- Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Institute Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kristin B Highland
- Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine. Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Raed A Dweik
- Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine. Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Adriano R Tonelli
- Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine. Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ruaro B, Bruni C, Wade B, Baratella E, Confalonieri P, Antonaglia C, Geri P, Biolo M, Confalonieri M, Salton F. Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis: Functional Evaluation of Microvascular Damage in Connective Tissue Diseases. Is There Evidence of Correlations With Organ Involvement, Such as Pulmonary Damage? Front Physiol 2021; 12:710298. [PMID: 34707506 PMCID: PMC8542764 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.710298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) is a non-contact technique able to quantify peripheral blood perfusion (PBP) over large skin areas. LASCA has been used to study hand PBP in several clinical conditions. These include systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and LASCA showed that PBP was significantly lower in these conditions than in healthy subjects (HS). Moreover, it has been demonstrated that LASCA is a safe technique also able to monitor digital ulcer perfusion and their evolution in SSc patients, during systemic and local treatment. The use of LASCA, coupled with reactivity tests is commonplace in the field of microvascular function research. Post-occlusive hyperemia reactivity (POHR) and local thermal hyperemia, associated with laser techniques are reliable tests in the evaluation of perfusion in SSc patients. Other studies used laser speckled techniques, together with acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside iontophoresis, as specific tests of endothelium function. In conclusion, LASCA is a safe, non-contact reliable instrument for the quantification of PBP at skin level and can also be associated with reactivity tests to monitor disease progression and response to treatment in different connective tissue diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ruaro
- Unit of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Barbara Wade
- AOU City of Health and Science of Turin, Department of Science of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Baratella
- Department of Radiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Pietro Geri
- Unit of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Biolo
- Unit of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Salton
- Unit of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ruaro B, Nallino MG, Casabella A, Salton F, Confalonieri P, De Tanti A, Bruni C. Monitoring the microcirculation in the diagnosis and follow-up of systemic sclerosis patients: Focus on pulmonary and peripheral vascular manifestations. Microcirculation 2020; 27:e12647. [PMID: 32603500 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease, characterized by vascular damage and progressive fibrosis, affecting the skin and internal organs. The vascular changes include functional and structural abnormalities in the microcirculation, which play a central role not only in diagnosis but also in the prognosis and follow-up of systemic sclerosis patients. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a safe, validated, noninvasive, inexpensive, reliable, and reproducible method that allows for the evaluation of structural changes in scleroderma microangiopathy. However, capillary blood flow/perfusion cannot be measured by NVC under standard conditions and, consequently, must rely on various laser techniques and thermography for the assessment and quantification of cutaneous blood perfusion. Other emerging technologies, such as optical Doppler tomography and spectroscopy, may be used to evaluate the skin flow. This review updates current knowledge on the use of microvascular evaluation techniques in SSc, including complications such as digital ulcers and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrea Casabella
- Department of Internal Medicine (Di.M.I.), Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio De Tanti
- Cardinal Ferrari Center, S. Stefano Rehabilitation, Fontanellato (Parma), Italy
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Is there a role for laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) in predicting the outcome of digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis? Clin Rheumatol 2019; 39:69-75. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-019-04662-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
7
|
Henni S, Hersant J, Loufrani L, Duval G, Humeau-Heurtier A, Riou J, Abraham P. Painless local pressure application to test microvascular reactivity to ischemia. Microvasc Res 2018; 122:13-21. [PMID: 30399363 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forearm cutaneous blood flux (CBF) measurement with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) is uncomfortable and may not be devoid of risks. We aimed to investigate post-compression reactive hyperemia (PCRH) with a custom-made indenter that was designed to be easily used routinely by inexperienced observers. METHODS Medical students evaluated PCRH with 1- to 4-min pressure applications of 16 to 34 kPa and PORH with 3-min forearm cuff occlusion using laser speckle contrast imaging in 15 healthy volunteers. Participants were asked to quantify their discomfort with a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 10 cm. Total ischemia (ISCH) was quantified by the product of CBF during ischemia and ischemia duration (min). We subtracted the CBF changes in the skin from a reference ipsilateral (PCRH) or contralateral (PORH) non-stimulated area. RESULTS The average VAS was 1.0 for PCRH vs. 6.0 for PORH (p < 0.001). A strong linear relationship between ISCH and peak PCRH (r2 = 0.915, p < 0.001) was noted. Peak PORH values (63.9 laser perfusion units (LPU)) were significantly lower than all values of the 3-min PCRH (72.6 LPU), including the one obtained with 16 kPa. CONCLUSION Inexperienced observers could test microvascular reactivity with PCRH without inducing the discomfort that is typically experienced with PORH. Further, PCRH elicits a higher peak response to ischemia compared with PORH. This extremely simple method could influence a broad spectrum of routine cutaneous microcirculation investigations, especially when a painful approach is particularly inadequate or if the patient is fragile. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02861924.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samir Henni
- Vascular Medicine, University Hospital of Angers, France; MitoVasc Institute, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U 1083, Faculté de Médecine, Angers, France
| | - Jeanne Hersant
- Vascular Medicine, University Hospital of Angers, France; MitoVasc Institute, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U 1083, Faculté de Médecine, Angers, France
| | - Laurent Loufrani
- MitoVasc Institute, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U 1083, Faculté de Médecine, Angers, France
| | - Guillaume Duval
- Department of Gerontology, University Hospital of Angers, France
| | - Anne Humeau-Heurtier
- Université Angers, LARIS - Laboratoire Angevin de Recherche en Ingénierie des Systèmes, Angers, France
| | -
- Vascular Medicine, University Hospital of Angers, France
| | - Jeremie Riou
- UMR Inserm 1066 - CNRS 6021, Faculté de Médecine, Angers, France
| | - Pierre Abraham
- MitoVasc Institute, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U 1083, Faculté de Médecine, Angers, France; Sports Medicine, University Hospital of Angers, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ruaro B, Sulli A, Smith V, Pizzorni C, Paolino S, Alessandri E, Trombetta AC, Cutolo M. Advances in nailfold capillaroscopic analysis in systemic sclerosis. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2018; 3:122-131. [PMID: 35382238 PMCID: PMC8892861 DOI: 10.1177/2397198318757699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by early and persistent microvascular impairment which leads to functional and organic manifestations, with progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Morphological and functional assessment of the peripheral microvasculature is a must, not only for diagnosis but also for the prognosis and therapeutical follow-up of systemic sclerosis patients, as reported in recent studies. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy is the validated technique for the study of scleroderma microangiopathy as it is able to detect peripheral microvascular morphology and both classify and score the capillary abnormalities into different microangiopathy patterns ('Early', 'Active' and 'Late'). Indeed, the possibility to early diagnose and follow the microvascular changes and the safety of the technique have made nailfold videocapillaroscopy a mandatory tool for patient evaluation and included its assessment in the new systemic sclerosis classification criteria. Important links between nailfold videocapillaroscopy patterns and systemic sclerosis clinical manifestations have been described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ruaro
- Research Laboratory and Academic
Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of
Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Sulli
- Research Laboratory and Academic
Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of
Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent
University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent,
Belgium
| | - Carmen Pizzorni
- Research Laboratory and Academic
Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of
Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Sabrina Paolino
- Research Laboratory and Academic
Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of
Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Alessandri
- Research Laboratory and Academic
Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of
Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Amelia Chiara Trombetta
- Research Laboratory and Academic
Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of
Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Research Laboratory and Academic
Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of
Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wilson RH, Vishwanath K, Mycek MA. Optical methods for quantitative and label-free sensing in living human tissues: principles, techniques, and applications. ADVANCES IN PHYSICS 2016; 1:523-543. [PMID: 28824194 PMCID: PMC5560608 DOI: 10.1080/23746149.2016.1221739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We present an overview of quantitative and label-free optical methods used to characterize living biological tissues, with an emphasis on emerging applications in clinical tissue diagnostics. Specifically, this review focuses on diffuse optical spectroscopy, imaging, and tomography, optical coherence-based techniques, and non-linear optical methods for molecular imaging. The potential for non- or minimally-invasive assessment, quantitative diagnostics, and continuous monitoring enabled by these tissue-optics technologies provides significant promise for continued clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert H. Wilson
- Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Mary-Ann Mycek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Applied Physics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|