[Disturbances in microcirculation--an early predictor of arterial hypertension?]

The aim of this study was to assess microcirculation and properties of large arteries in healthy adult subjects. In 28 individuals between the ages of 21 and 49, the microcirculation in the skin at resting conditions and under stimulation (hyperaemic reaction after a 3-minute long ischaemia at basal body temperature and at 44 degrees C) was measured with laser doppler flowmetry detection. Pulse Wave Velocity was measured by using Complior device and average values of blood pressure were calculated. Subjects were divided into two groups based on the median (pLDF = 374.5) of the hyperaemic reaction after ischaemia at basal body temperature (14 persons in each group). There were no significant differences in the age and pulse wave velocity in both groups. The group after ischaemia at basal body temperature was characterized by significantly lower values of the resting flow, higher values of blood pressure, and higher values of increase in flow after ischaemia when compared to the group after ischemia at 44 degrees C. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between values in flow after ischaemia at basal body temperature and at 44 degrees C with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.79 and 0.62, respectively). Presented results suggest that disturbances in microcirculation can precede development of hypertension.