Arterial stiffening and reduced cutaneous hyperaemic response in patients with end-stage renal failure

Superficial dermal vasodilatory capacity and indirect segmental systolic arterial pressure were measured in 10 patients with end-stage renal failure and 13 controls. Laser-Doppler flowmetry was used to measure skin blood flow on the dorsum of the feet prior to and during local skin heating to 40 degrees C. Basal skin blood flow was not significantly different between the two groups (mean 0.8 +/- (SD) 0.3 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.2 U). Peak stimulated flow at 40 degrees C was significantly greater in the controls than in the azotaemic patients (10.0 +/- 3.5 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.6 U, p less than 0.01). Stiffening of the major limb arteries was detected in the majority of the azotaemic patients (10.0 +/- 3.5 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.6 U, p less than 0.01). Stiffening of the major limb arteries was detected in the majority of the azotaemic patients and may have contributed to the reduction in vasodilatory capacity.