[Disorders of regional blood circulation in systemic scleroderma: early diagnosis and possibility of its correction]

Clinical and instrumental manifestations of disorders of the regional blood circulation were studied in 47 patients with sclerodermia systematica. Hemodynamic changes of the lesser circulation were marked in patients under 44 with more active disease, longer disease duration, pulmonary pathology and cardiac decompensation. Sclerodermic vasculitis played the main role in lesser circulatory disorders. Additional factors were pulmonary and cardiac involvement and concomitant chronic nonspecific pulmonary diseases. Changes of intraorganic vessels and heart failure could result from hepatic circulatory disorders. The authors indicated a possibility of correction of pulmonary hypertension by combining the basic antirheumatic drugs with symptomatic therapy including spasmolytics and cardiac glycosides.