Microcirculatory changes in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon after treatment with buflomedil

Eleven patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon were treated with Buflomedil (4 dd 150 mg orally) for 3 months. Subjective changes were compared with capillary microscopy (red blood cell velocities) of nailfold capillaries, haemorheological parameters, thermography of hands and fingers, continuous wave Doppler investigations and measurements of blood pressure and heart rate. Eight out of 11 patients reported subjective improvement of their complaints, which could be confirmed by significant increased red blood cell velocities and temperatures of hands and fingers. It is concluded that Buflomedil might be of therapeutic value in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon, but that a double blind study, evaluated by haemorheological and microcirculatory measurements, should be performed to draw conclusions regarding the efficacy of the drug.